Professional Travel Planners

Our Team

Experience, Leadership & Passion for Group Travel

Every member of our team brings a unique background and perspective to the travel planning process. From educational leadership and student travel experience to operations management and itinerary development, our team is committed to helping groups create meaningful travel experiences while making the planning process as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Whether we're coordinating a multi-day educational tour, assisting with transportation logistics, or helping a group leader build the perfect itinerary, our focus remains the same: providing exceptional service and memorable experiences from start to finish.

Jessica Griffin

Director of Academic Tours and Operations

Jessica Griffin serves as Director of Academic Tours and Operations for Academic Field Trips And Tours, bringing more than 12 years of experience in travel, tourism, operations, and group coordination. She oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of educational travel programs while managing day-to-day operational activities that help ensure successful experiences for travelers of all ages.

Working closely with schools, group leaders, transportation partners, hotels, and attractions, Jessica develops customized itineraries designed to balance education, engagement, and memorable experiences. Her attention to detail, organizational skills, and commitment to customer service help groups travel with confidence while allowing group leaders to focus on the experience rather than the logistics.

Jessica especially enjoys watching students discover new places, explore different cultures, and experience learning beyond the classroom. She also enjoys helping senior groups and adult travelers create meaningful memories through shared travel experiences.

Favorite Destination: Washington, D.C.

Travel Advice: Start early, stay flexible, and focus on the overall experience rather than trying to fit too much into the itinerary.

Fun Fact: Jessica loves karaoke.

Frank Martin

Assistant Tour Director

Frank Martin joined Academic Field Trips And Tours after a distinguished 41-year career in education. Throughout his career, Frank served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, athletic director, and educational leader, providing him with a unique understanding of the challenges and opportunities involved in planning group travel for students and organizations.

A graduate of Virginia Tech with a degree in Marketing Education and Appalachian State University with a Master's degree in School Administration, Frank has spent decades helping organize student trips, coordinating activities, and supporting educational experiences beyond the classroom.

His extensive background working with teachers, administrators, students, and families allows him to bring valuable insight to the travel planning process. Frank enjoys helping schools and organizations create meaningful travel experiences while ensuring trips are organized, enjoyable, and professionally coordinated.

Favorite Destination: Washington, D.C.

Travel Advice: Plan as early as possible, but remain flexible when things don't go exactly as planned.

Fun Fact: Frank was born on April Fool's Day.

Gray Hill

Founder & Owner

Gray Hill founded Academic Field Trips And Tours with a vision of making group travel planning easier, more organized, and more dependable for schools, organizations, and communities throughout North Carolina. Drawing on more than three decades of leadership in the passenger transportation industry, he recognized the opportunity to combine trusted transportation resources with customized travel planning to create seamless experiences for schools, churches, senior groups, and organizations.

Throughout his career, Gray has built lasting relationships with educators, community leaders, and transportation partners while earning a reputation for dependable service, strategic leadership, and a commitment to doing things the right way. His experience has helped shape a company focused on thoughtful planning, strong communication, and memorable group travel experiences.

Today, Gray leads the long-term vision of Academic Field Trips And Tours by developing partnerships, supporting the planning team, and helping guide the company's continued growth. While an experienced team coordinates the day-to-day planning and logistics, Gray remains actively involved in ensuring every trip reflects the company's commitment to Planning Excellence.

Gray believes that successful group travel is built on preparation, trust, and attention to detail. By surrounding himself with knowledgeable professionals and fostering strong relationships throughout the industry, he has created a company dedicated to helping every group travel with confidence and return home with lasting memories.

Favorite Destination

Las Vegas Desert Golf Courses
While Gray enjoys helping groups discover destinations across the East Coast, his personal favorite destination is Las Vegas, where he enjoys playing some of the country's beautiful desert golf courses. A close second is the mountain courses of Blowing Rock and Boone, North Carolina, where the scenery is just as rewarding as the game.

Fun Fact

Gray has been a basketball referee for more than 35 years, officiating games from youth leagues through the collegiate level. One of his favorite memories is watching a young Chris Paul develop as a player—officiating his games as a nine-year-old, throughout high school, and later during collegiate summer league competition.

A Little More About Gray

When he's not working, you'll often find Gray on the golf course. He enjoys the challenge of continually improving his game and appreciates the lessons golf teaches—patience, honesty, integrity, and personal accountability. Those same principles guide the way he approaches business: always striving to improve, doing things the right way, and never settling for anything less than the best possible experience for the groups the company serves.