Swift Team

Meet the Passport & Visa Expediting Experts

Laurie and Rob Lee, Partners

Laurie and Rob Lee initially met in the Montana fire community (he a wildland firefighter; she a fire biologist technician) in 2005. Since then, their lives have taken a series of intertwining entrepreneurial turns with incredible opportunities in Central America and the USA. Their biggest entrepreneurial achievement is the birth and growth of Swift Passport Services, a full service visa and passport expediting service based in the heart of Chicago with a network of partnerships nationwide that enables them to serve clients in all 50 states and US territories.

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, and manages 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.

Rob is a native of Michigan, and is a graduate of the Michigan State University. Rob is head of finance, and is the technology guru that keeps Swift ahead of the curve with their state of the art CRM and tracking system that allows them to manage thousand of documents at once without letting anything slip through the cracks. He is the go to for Middle Eastern visas and complex logistics. He also manages Swift’s robust website, and ensures that our order update system keeps each of our client’s orders updated, so they know where they are in the process at all times.

Touched by a family member’s successful organ transplant experience, both are passionate about raising organ donor awareness and acting on that passion. In 2014, Swift implemented a breakthrough program never before seen in the industry – encouraging their Passport and Visa applicants to register as organ donors on the National Organ Donor Registry, just as the public now routinely does on drivers license applications. Their goal is to register 2000 people in 2016. Laurie serves on Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Transplant Advisory Council. Swift has also partnered with ORGANize in 2016 to help facilitate a study that will help determine the most effective way to ask people to become organ donors.

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 Hull brings to Swift Passport Services an abundance of knowledge from the passport/visa industry. With over seven years of experience processing the unique requests of VIP travelers, large organizations and individuals alike, Shannon has had ample experience with hard to solve passport/visa issues. Adept at handling any last-minute crisis, Shannon has a proven record of success in the industry. More than capable with the needs of VIP travelers, she lends a personal touch to a sometimes daunting process, striving for excellence and traveler satisfaction. 

Aurora Sandell, China Visa Specialist

Aurora Sandell has been with Swift Passport Services for almost 3 years, bringing over 5 years of experience living abroad, including time in China and Cambodia, and the UK. She has personal experience with obtaining tourist, work, and study visas across an array of countries.

She’s excited to share her insight and first hand knowledge of compiling the proper documentation and paper work in order to provide a smooth process in applying for Chinese visas. Aurora understands that the visa process can be daunting, but with her help and knowledge your trip to China doesn’t have to be a confusing ordeal. 

Adam johnson, Passport & Visa specialist

Adam brings years of customer service expertise to our team.  He will use his knowledge of the industry to answer any questions you may have about the visa or passport process, and get your trip off to a great start.

Adam understands the difficult nature of deadlines, and will work hard to make sure that your experience with Swift Passport is a great one.

MARK FRAZIER, CHICAGO PASSPORT & VISA SPECIALIST

Mark Frazier has been in the passport and visa industry for almost 2 decades. Mark has seen it all and is a true expert when it comes to tough and unusual cases. Mark handles many of the passport and visa applications processed in Chicago and is a valued liaison who has strong relationships within the various consulates in Chicago.  

Originally from New York, Mark has worked with and been trained by the top passport and visa specialists in the country. His has strong ties in New York and Chicago and also owns his own passport and visa expediting service.

Claire griffith, chicago intern

Currently a student at DePaul University, Claire is majoring in International Studies and Geography. She recently returned from studying abroad in Hong Kong in December of 2015 where she was able to learn a lot about the visa process from an array of countries such as Vietnam and China. As the newest member of the Swift Passport Services, Claire is eager to apply what she's learned to contribute to the team as well as learn in this fast-paced, friendly environment.