Ellen Jean Holcomb
Jean Holcomb was an active member of the Orange County community for two decades before founding her travel agency and adding “business leader” to her list of accolades. During her early years in Chapel Hill, she chaired the UNC Newcomer’s Club, was a founding board member of the Chapel Hill Preservation Society (now Preservation Chapel Hill) and was a member of the Christian Science
Church and YMCA boards. She was also heavily involved with Girl Scout Troop 59 and Boy Scout Troop 835, and was an advisory board member for the Pines of Carolina Girl Scout group. She oversaw scouting adventures to British Columbia, Quebec, Austria, and Prince Edward Island. Jean served on the advisory board for Carolina Meadows from 1995 to 2005. She was eventually named a Town Treasure by Chapel Hill Historical Society in 2010. In 1979, Jean and her two daughters Ellen and Carolyn opened Viking Travel. The full-service business provided travel assistance and planning for personal and business travel. The business grew to 24 employees and three locations, and Jean became a major force in the business community. In addition to being involved in the Public-Private Partnership, she served for 10 years on the board of NationsBank (now Bank of America), chaired the Chamber of Commerce board and was one of the first women
members of the Sunrise Rotary Club.
Jean is considered a pioneer for women business owners and is especially proud of overcoming gender bias. She recalls being told that she wouldn’t succeed because she was a woman and taking great satisfaction in proving this wrong. “The proof,” she likes to say, “is in the pudding.” Over her 35 years in the travel industry, Jean has been recognized as a high quality agent and businesswoman. Several trade groups and hospitality companies tapped her for board service, including the American Society of Travel Agents Southeast, Sonesta Hotels, Cruise West, Avis Car, Allianz Travel Insurance (formerly Access America) and Travelling Times. Under her leadership, Viking Travel
continues to thrive even as others in the industry lose business to online and other self-service travel options. Providing a high level of responsiveness and personalized service enables her agency to thrive.
For her success as a business owner and her tireless volunteer work, we proudly induct Ellen Jean Holcomb into the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Business Hall of Fame.
Church and YMCA boards. She was also heavily involved with Girl Scout Troop 59 and Boy Scout Troop 835, and was an advisory board member for the Pines of Carolina Girl Scout group. She oversaw scouting adventures to British Columbia, Quebec, Austria, and Prince Edward Island. Jean served on the advisory board for Carolina Meadows from 1995 to 2005. She was eventually named a Town Treasure by Chapel Hill Historical Society in 2010. In 1979, Jean and her two daughters Ellen and Carolyn opened Viking Travel. The full-service business provided travel assistance and planning for personal and business travel. The business grew to 24 employees and three locations, and Jean became a major force in the business community. In addition to being involved in the Public-Private Partnership, she served for 10 years on the board of NationsBank (now Bank of America), chaired the Chamber of Commerce board and was one of the first women
members of the Sunrise Rotary Club.
Jean is considered a pioneer for women business owners and is especially proud of overcoming gender bias. She recalls being told that she wouldn’t succeed because she was a woman and taking great satisfaction in proving this wrong. “The proof,” she likes to say, “is in the pudding.” Over her 35 years in the travel industry, Jean has been recognized as a high quality agent and businesswoman. Several trade groups and hospitality companies tapped her for board service, including the American Society of Travel Agents Southeast, Sonesta Hotels, Cruise West, Avis Car, Allianz Travel Insurance (formerly Access America) and Travelling Times. Under her leadership, Viking Travel
continues to thrive even as others in the industry lose business to online and other self-service travel options. Providing a high level of responsiveness and personalized service enables her agency to thrive.
For her success as a business owner and her tireless volunteer work, we proudly induct Ellen Jean Holcomb into the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Business Hall of Fame.