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John Kinney
President/Operating Partner
How does a kid from Pittsburgh, end up running a jet boat company in Niagara Falls? John’s 43 years of whitewater experience has afforded him the opportunity to travel the globe enjoying whitewater in rafts, kayaks, and jet boats. After growing up on the many challenging whitewater rivers of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, & Maryland, John’s travels to experience Canadian whitewater occurred during the summer of 1981. Although John was only 17, he immediately was attracted to the “big” whitewater of Canada. On the drive from his native Pennsylvania to the rivers of Northern Ontario, John and his kayaking buddies stopped to check out Niagara Falls, but were really more interested in the giant waves of the Niagara Gorge just downstream of the Falls. Upon seeing the towering waves in the gorge, John will admit, “I had no idea at that moment I would end up spending the majority of my life figuring out how to make the spectacular whitewater of Niagara accessible to the visitors of Niagara, but I knew it had to be done.” 39 years, 9 boats and 3 locations later… and the rest is history.
Places Traveled – China, India, Korea, Switzerland, England, Portugal, France, Germany, Austria, Costa Rica, Maui, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Mexico, most Caribbean Islands, almost all the Canadian Provinces and US States
Hobbies/Interests – White Water rafting and Kayaking, skiing, spending time with family and friends
Garry hierlihy
General Manager/Captain
Garry was introduced into the whitewater scene in 1983 soon after graduating from college in Recreation Leadership Studies. He soon worked his way into Management with our sister company and joined the Jet Boat team in 2004 as the General Manager. Exceeding guest expectations is his number one priority.
Why Whirlpool Jet? Sharing the Magic of the White Water.
Places Traveled – India, Costa Rica, Maui, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, most Caribbean Islands, all of Canada except NW Territories, most US States
Hobbies/Interests – White Water rafting and Kayaking, Motorcycles, Weight Training, Scuba Diving, Cottaging/Camping, Travelling During Winter Months, Mountain Biking, Hiking
marian jackson
Business Manager
Marian joined the Whirlpool team in 1994 as part of the accounting department. Marian quickly became an integral part of our operation, and was promoted into the position of Business Manager. A position she has held since 1995.
Why Whirlpool Jet? – Fun Atmosphere and Diversity of Fellow Staff and Guests
Places Travelled – Wales, Portugal, Spain, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Italy, Maui, Bahamas, Aruba, Various Places in Canada
Hobbies Outside of Whirlpool Jet – Family, Boating
john wark
Operations Manager/Captain
1-888-438-4444 ext 224
John began his jet boat adventure as a night security officer in 2000. As soon as he saw one of our magnificent boats he knew he wanted to be a captain, so he started training and became a captain in 2003. As we grew as a company we soon realized the need for an operations manager, and the obvious choice was John. He has been a pivotal part of Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours ever since!
Why Whirlpool Jet – The Camaraderie of Staff and Guests Alike!
Places Travelled – Bahamas, Costa Rica, Mexico, Turks and Caicos, Dominican Republic
Hobbies Outside of Whirlpool Jet – Golf, Road Trips to Nashville and Florida
Alex Eddie
Digital Media Manager/Captain
1-888-438-4444 ext 231
A graduate from the Digital Photography and Imaging program at Georgian College, Alex joined our team as a seasonal photographer in 2011. After a few seasons bouncing between Whirlpool and Whistler, B.C., Alex was asked to manage our Digital Media department in 2013. He now works in our creative marketing department, leads our Digital Media team and works on the river as one of our Jet Boat captains.
Why Whirlpool Jet? – Best job I’ve ever had. The family of staff we have here.
Places Travelled – Costa Rica, Mexico, Nepal, Portugal, Nicaragua, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, England, Honduras, Hawaii
Hobbies Outside of Whirlpool Jet – Photography, snowboarding, SUP, road trips in my camper van, making furniture, Buffalo Sabres, pretending I know a lot about movies
Jessica dicarlantonio
Director of sales and marketing
1-888-438-4444 ext 223
Jessica started at Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours in 2014 as the Sales and Marketing Coordinator and within the year was promoted to Director of Sales and Marketing. She first entered the Tourism Industry during her time at Carleton University in Ottawa, where she sold spring break trips for Campus Vacations. After completing a Graduate Certificate program in Public Relations, she knew she wanted to work for one of the biggest attractions in Niagara: Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours.
Why Whirlpool Jet? – I fell in love with the boats, the river and the energetic atmosphere right away and never looked back!
Places Travelled – Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Bahamas, China, India, most US States and Canadian Provinces
Hobbies outside of Whirlpool Jet? – Yoga, travelling, arts & crafts, coffee, plant shopping, road trips, concerts and anything outside
jessica keller
Lewiston Operations/Retail Manager
1-888-438-4444 ext 227
Jessica started with us here in 2011 as a seasonal photo and video agent. She worked her way up to the Lewiston Operations Manger in 2017 where she oversees the day to day operation of our American location. She recently added Retail Manager onto her job description within the last few years. You can often catch her also working at her family’s bar on Centre Street in Lewiston called The Lewiston Stone House.
Why Whirlpool Jet? – I truly love getting to know all the new staff and working together to grow the business. As well as meeting people from all over the world.
Places Travelled – Costa Rica, Bahamas, US Virgin Island, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, Jamaica, Turks and Caicos
Hobbies Outside of Whirlpool Jet – Hiking, spending time with family and friends, walking her dog around historical Lewiston, and pretty much anything that involves the outdoors.
Jordan krupa
Assistant Operations Manager/Captain
1-888-438-4444 ext 224
Jordan started with us a seasonal dock hand in 2009. Since then, Jordan has steadily moved his way up at Whirlpool Jet. First becoming a Dock Supervisor, then a Captain in 2012, and most recently being promoted to the Assistant Operations Manager position in 2018. Jordan also plays a key role working on our boats at our performance centre during the winter months.
Why Whirlpool Jet? – The people and daily adventure of the white water. No day is the same working on the river.
Places Travelled – 30 states, Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Belgium, Ireland, Poland, Denmark, Scotland
Hobbies Outside of Whirlpool Jet – Interested in cycling, craft breweries and food, Toronto Raptors/NBA , travelling, anything outdoors.
TINA CamiLleri
GUEST SERVICES MANAGER
1-888-438-4444 ext 219
Tina joined the Jet Boat family in May of 2016 as the Sales and Marketing Coordinator. Her responsibilities soon expanded to a dual role, assisting in the Guest Services department as well as Sales, before she made the move to Guest Services in a full time capacity. Tina has spent many years in the Tourism and Customer Service industries and brings extensive experience to her position at Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours.
Why Whirlpool Jet? – From Day 1 until now, the staff here has become like family to me. There is a true sense of community and love here that I’ve never found anywhere else.
Places Travelled – Quebec, NYC, Orlando, Scotland, Malta, Peru
Hobbies Outside of Whirlpool Jet – CrossFit, Running, Music, Concerts, Blue Jays Games
FILOMENA BROOKS
ADMINISTRATION
1-888-438-4444 ext 222
Filomena joined our team in 2008 with 23 years of experience in hotel business administration. She was always familiar with Whirlpool Jet, from her time working in hotels, and knew it would be an exciting new challenge.
Why Whirlpool Jet? – The entire team takes pride in the company and has a unified goal to provide an amazing experience to the guests and see the company succeed. I love the family atmosphere and that we’re an active member of the community.
Places Travelled – Italy, France, the Caribbean
Hobbies Outside of Whirlpool Jet – Spending time with my amazing family!
