Meet Anderson Travel Agent Chad Hatfield

A HEART FOR SERVICE

Chad and his wife, Lindsay, reside in Anderson, Indiana. His formidable years were spent as a farm kid in Northern Indiana, where he enjoyed a youth filled with outdoor pursuits. In high school, he was the Captain of a State Championship football team and his wrestling and baseball teams. Beyond high school, he worked in various factories, learning to weld, assemble, and paint. While he loved being part of a team environment, Chad discovered that factory work wasn't for him, and he needed to find avenues to serve this community. 

Over the past 20 years, he has found a remarkable way to serve the community as a firefighter and a paramedic. He takes pride in serving not only the community but also his fellow firefighters. He has dedicated many hours to teaching CPR and medical skills to EMTs and paramedics and has served on the peer support team. Chad worked as a meter reader for the local gas and water utility on his days off from the firehouse. He says, "I'm always on the move, so this has suited me well."  With retirement on the horizon, Chad is excited to be able to draw on his life experiences as a vacation planner to help others write new chapters for their life stories through travel. 

Chad is also a talented musician, having played the guitar for many years. Recently, he answered the call to serve in an entirely different way when he became his church's Worship and Creative Arts Director. Playing guitar and leading worship have been a part of his life for the last 35 years, and he considers it a privilege to serve God and people in this role! 

DIVERSE TRAVEL EXPERIENCES

Chad's travel experience has been as diverse as his work life. Life for Chad began with international travel. He was born in Banbury, England, while his dad served in the US Air Force, spending nearly his first year of life overseas. During his adult years, he's taken numerous adventures across multiple countries and continents. He has travelled to remote islands in Panama to build schools and medical centers; he has skied the mountains of Colorado in and around Breckenridge and Vail; and he has been to Tanzania, Africa, where he was able to experience life in "the bush" along with an African Safari and more.

Since 2012, Chad and Lindsay have traveled annually for their anniversary. He said, "We've been to Florida, been on a cruise, and fallen in love with all-inclusive resorts! The sun, sand, and saltwater wash away life's stress and rejuvenate us! Next on our bucket list, Costa Rica!"

Chad's strongest desire is to continue serving people long after he retires from the fire service. Becoming a travel agent helps him prepare for more amazing opportunities to serve in the days ahead. "Instead of meeting people on their worst days, I want to help create their best days! Whether to an all-inclusive resort, a cruise, Disney, Universal, skiing or hiking out west, or even an African Safari, I want to help make your travel dreams a reality!"