Board of Directors

Chairman & Director

Mr. Monaco has approximately three decades of experience as an international information technology and business management consultant followed by two decades of public and private company and charitable organization leadership. Mr. Monaco is the founder and owner of Monaco Air Duluth, LLC, a full service, fixed-base operator aviation services business at Duluth International Airport in Duluth, Minnesota, serving airline, military, and general aviation customers since November 2005. Since January 2009, he has been appointed and reappointed by Minnesota Governors to serve as a Commissioner of the Metropolitan Airports Commission in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, and currently serves as Chairman of the Operations, Finance and Administration Committee. Mr. Monaco is also the Treasurer of Honor Flight Northland, Treasurer of the Duluth Aviation Institute, and a member of the Duluth Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee. Mr. Monaco previously worked as an international information technology and business management consultant with Accenture in Chicago, Illinois for 28 years, and as a partner and senior executive for 18 of such years. From August 2011 to January 2023, Mr. Monaco served as a member of the board of directors of NextPlay (known as Monaker prior to June 2020), where he served as chairman of the board of directors from August 2018 to June 2021 and as co-chairman of the board from June 2021 to December 2021. He previously served as a director at Republic Bank in Duluth, Minnesota from May 2015 until October 2019. He also served on the Verus International, Inc., formerly RealBiz Media Group, Inc., board of directors from October 2012 until April 2016, serving as chairman of the board from August 2015 to April 2016. Mr. Monaco holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science engineering from Northwestern University.

CEO & Director

Bill Kerby brings more than two decades of experience in the travel and media industries, and approximately a decade of experience in the financial industry. He has extensive experience bringing companies into public markets in both the TSX and Nasdaq, serving as CEO for various travel and media companies including Maupintour, Extraordinary Vacations, Travelbyus and Leisure Canada.

Director

Andy Kaplan is the Co-founder and Chairman of KC Global Media Entertainment LLC, a leading U.S.-based multi-media company. With decades of leadership experience in global media, Kaplan provides the strategic vision and governance that guide the company’s growth, playing a key role in shaping high-level strategy, forging international partnerships, and driving corporate development. Under his leadership, KC Global Media has expanded its footprint across key regions, adapting to evolving platforms while staying focused on culturally relevant content. Prior to founding KC Global Media, Kaplan served as President of Worldwide Networks at Sony Pictures Television, where he oversaw one of the industry’s largest international television operations. He was instrumental in building Sony’s global network portfolio—including AXN, Animax, Sony Channel, Crackle, and Sony Pictures Networks India—and led strategic investments and digital media ventures across Asia, Latin America, and other global markets.

Director

Mr. Jiang’s career includes serving as CEO of PineBridge Investments, where he led the post-crisis transformation of AIG’s asset management division into an independent firm managing over $75 billion across more than 20 countries. He also held key executive roles at BNY Mellon, including CEO of Asia-Pacific and Global Head of Passive, ETF, and Beta Investing. Earlier in his career, he managed multi-billion-dollar portfolios as a Senior Portfolio Manager at Mellon Capital Management. As an entrepreneur, Mr. Jiang co-founded software and hardware technology companies. David is a holder of patents. As an investor, Mr. Jiang focuses on disruptive technologies in ClimateTech, BioTech, FinTech, and AI. Mr. Jiang is a Founding Investor in NextTrip and has made multiple direct and indirect investments in NextTrip.

Director

Carmen Diges is a senior capital markets and M&A attorney with deep experience advising multinational companies, funds, and boards on complex transactions and governance matters. She has served advisory and board roles across sectors including infrastructure, energy, mining, and technology, and is known for her ability to navigate cross-border transactions and public company responsibilities with precision and integrity.

Director

Jimmy Byrd is the Executive Vice President, Corporate Development at Ledcor Group, where he oversees strategic growth initiatives across Canada and the United States. He has a successful track record in infrastructure development, M&A execution, and operations. Byrd’s experience scaling platforms and delivering shareholder value aligns with NextTrip’s current expansion strategy.

Director

Steve Kircher currently serves as Chairman and CEO of Kircher Holdings LLC, a family office with a diverse investment portfolio. Kircher Holdings owns, through Trust, the Frangipani Beach Resort, a boutique hotel in Anguilla, British West Indies, and Borgo San Vincenzo, a boutique hotel in Tuscany, Italy. In addition to his leadership at Kircher Holdings, Mr. Kircher serves as an observer on the Board of Directors of Reviver Corporation (www.reviver.com), the world’s first digital license plate and connected vehicle platform company, and as a director on the Board of Directors of Third Home International, a unique membership group for luxury properties around the world. Mr. Kircher’s business background includes leading several high-growth companies with successful exits in the public markets.