Swift Team
Hey there!
We’re Rob and Laurie Lee – founders of Swift Passport and Visa Services. In 2005, we returned to Chicago after spending several years traveling the world. Nothing compares to the wonders of exploring foreign countries with your best friend but alas, “home” was calling our names.
Without a clue of what to do next and the expert travel experience of wanderlust-filled super nomads, we put down roots and set forth into a new type of uncharted territory – entrepreneurship.
A whole lot of hard work and hustle followed and today, Swift has become a business we’re incredibly proud of. We’re comprised of a stellar team large enough to hold all the right connections and small enough to remain efficient and personable. We pride ourselves on maintaining that balance because it’s how we can best deliver our brand promise: to alleviate anxieties of international travelers, and get you where you need to go.
Why? It’s simple. We’ve been there.
LAURIE LEE, CO-FOUNDER & CEO
A native of Hawthorn Woods, IL, Laurie is a graduate of the University of Montana. As CEO, Laurie heads client acquisition, and oversees corporate accounts at Swift. She enjoys writing, managing the Swift Post, and Spare Parts Blogs, as well as the Swift Newsletter. She is also a Huffington Post Blog contributor. Laurie is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, Chicago's Cohort 14.
Favorite passport stamp: Thailand.
Bucket list passport stamp: Antarctica.
ROB LEE, CO-FOUNDER
Rob is a native of Michigan, and is a graduate of Michigan State University (Go Green!). As head of finance and technology, Rob is the tech guru that keeps Swift ahead of the curve with their state of the art CRM and tracking system, facilitating the management of thousands of documents at once without letting anything slip through the cracks. He also manages Swift’s robust website, and ensures that the order update system keeps each of their client’s orders updated so they know where they are in the process at all times.
Favorite passport stamp: Cambodia
Bucket list passport stamp: Kenya + Tanzania
You can read more about Laurie and Rob in this Huffington Post Blog
Shannon Hull, Director of Passport & Visa Operations
As Director of Operations in Chicago, Shannon brings over eleven years’ experience processing the unique requests of VIP travelers, large organizations, and individuals alike. A one-time client of Swift during their early years, she transitioned seamlessly into the Swift family when she moved to Chicago, bringing with her valuable experience managing hard-to-solve passport/visa issues and last-minute crises. A world-traveler herself, she handles customers’ needs with patience and grace, fully understanding the anxiety of those she’s assisting.
Favorite passport stamp: Multiple Trips to Barcelona
Bucket list passport stamp: Iceland, Russia, or Bora Bora (French Polynesia)
Aurora Sandell, China Visa Specialist
Aurora Sandell has been with Swift Passport Services since 2014, bringing over five years’ experience living abroad, including time in China, Cambodia, and the UK. She proudly holds the record for most countries travelled to among the Swift team 31, giving her personal experience obtaining tourist, work, and study visas across an array of countries. This allows her to share insight and first-hand knowledge on compiling the proper documentation to ensure a smooth process in securing Chinese visas.
Favorite passport stamp: Malaysia
Bucket list passport stamp: Bhutan
Marcus Small- Document Courier/Shipping Specialist
Marcus brings several years of experience in shipping and department management to the Swift team. As a native, and resident of downtown Chicago, for more than 20 years Marcus enjoys having the freedom to walk around this beautiful city from consulate to consulate. Having had the opportunity to leave his thumbprint in Office services, working with companies like Google, Sidley & Austin LLP, and the City of Chicago Marcus is committed in making sure everything that needs to be shipped gets where it needs to be. Marcus is a proud dad and finds being a part of the Swift team a great opportunity to learn about places to visit with his son Jhonathann.
Favorite Passport Stamp: Wherever we visit first!
Bucket List Passport Stamp: There are no limits
MARK FRAZIER, CHICAGO PASSPORT & VISA SPECIALIST
Mark Frazier has been in the passport and visa industry for almost 30 YEARS! He’s seen it all, and is a true expert when it comes to complex and unusual cases. Originally from New York, Mark has worked with and been trained by the top passport and visa specialists in the country. He has strong ties in New York and within the various consulates in Chicago, and also owns his own passport and visa expediting service.
Bucket list stamp: Ethiopia
DARRYL PACE, SWIFT CLIENT SERVICES
Darryl has been in the customer service industry for over ten years and really enjoys the opportunity to interact with people and help them with their needs. He is extremely passionate about being an advocate for our client’s and will go the extra mile to ensure that they will have the best experience possible. Darryl has had the opportunity to work for places like UPS and Vivid Seats where over the years he has been able to hone his customer service skills- skills that he brings to the Swift family in hopes of having a positive and long standing impact on our company and our clients.
He is an avid lover of comic books and professional wrestling. So when you come into the office, please don’t hesitate to chat him up about the latest issue of Batman or join him in a ceremonious Ric Flair “Whoooo!”