Our People

Ryoko Komatsuzaki : Managing Director

Before acquiring Lets Go Australia, Ryoko was a Director of the international search firm Spencer Stuart. She has 20 years experience in international corporate services after graduating from International Christian University in Tokyo in 1987 and joining Japan’s largest advertising agency Dentsu as an account executive and being responsible for all International Print Media. Ryoko completed a company sponsored MBA at the University of Southern California Los Angeles in 1992 and has been a member of the Japan Travel Writers Association since 1994.

David Richardson : Director

David has more than 20 years international experience, having lived and worked in Australia, Japan, China, London and Los Angeles. A large part of his career has focused upon Asia-Pacific including positions as General Manager Business Development-Asia for Pacific Dunlop and Amcor. He continues to be responsible for a number of officers in China and Japan requiring frequent international travel. David has a bachelor of commerce from Edith Cowan University, an MBA from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, and completed postgraduate studies in Japanese at Keio University in Tokyo.

Michael Middleton : Director of Operations 

Michael brings more than 20 years experience in travel management including 5 years as an owner/operator of Devonport House of Travel. He has experience in growing business, in both the corporate and retail markets by providing superior customer service and implementing best business practices including IT development.

Birgit Werner : Corporate Account Manager

Birgit is an experienced travel professional with over 12 years experience in the travel industry. She has held a variety of consulting and managing positions at leisure and corporate travel companies. Most recently she was the Travel Manager at WorleyParsons. Birgit brings years of practical knowledge on how organisations interact both internally and externally and how high performance relationships are developed and managed on local, regional and global levels.

Penny Hamilton : Senior Corporate Consultant 

Penny received her diploma in Travel and Tourism in England, where she worked for six years as a travel consultant before moving to Spain where she was a ground manager for a large UK tour company. She moved to Australia in 1999 and over the past three years as senior consultant at LGA, she has been responsible for all ticketing functions. Penny has exceptional knowledge of LGA client’s and their individual booking preferences.

Asako Tomonaga : Senior Corporate Consultant 

Asako’s travel industry experience includes working for major Japanese specialist travel agencies such as JTB, HIS and KNT. As a Corporate Travel Consultant she has managed large accounts including Toyota, Honda, Isuzu and Ajinomoto. Fluent in both Japanese and English Asako loves to interact and build a solid rapport with her clients

Kei Deguchi : Assistant Travel Consultant

Kei worked as receptionist and salesperson at Kansai International Airport before moving to Australia in 2005. At Lets Go her responsibility includes responsibilities for both In/Outbound travel and Japan Rail Pass. Kei obtained Certificate IV in Tourism Operations. 

Kumi Shimasaki: Senior Corporate Consultant

Kumi worked at Kochi Domestic Airport before moving to Australia in 2000. Her travel consultant experience in Australia includes responsibilities for both In/Outbound travel and international ticketing. Kumi graduated from Edith Cowan University with a major in Hospitality Management.