Austin-Lehman Founders' Profiles

Austin-Lehman Adventures is an owner-involved, small group adventure travel company. Founders Dan Austin and Paul Lehman are down-to-earth guys, very much a part of everyday decisions, operations and new trip development. They actively share your love of exploration and live to share the places they’ve discovered and enjoyed with Austin-Lehman guests.

Their passion, personalities, vision and commitment are all part of what makes Austin-Lehman Adventures both different and special. They believe it’s the way all successful, client-focused companies should be. If a trip itinerary or destination isn’t up to their personal high standards, you won’t see it offered. If they learn of a new lodging, trail or restaurant that meets ALA's high standards, you’ll find it included in next year’s itinerary.

As busy as Dan and Paul are, they will always make time to take a call from a past guest or share some stories and current trends with an inquisitive travel writer or editor. Don’t hesitate to send them an email or give them a call. It’s worth a few minutes of your time to get to know them.

Following are brief bios on our Founding Fathers, Dan and Paul…

Dan Austin, Founding Partner & Director of Operations email: dan@austinlehman.com

Born and bred in California, Dan ignited his passion for adventure travel in 1976 as partner of a rafting company in the Pacific Northwest. His travels soon took him to Alaska, where he owned and operated a mid-size construction company. Here he gained valuable experience working out difficult logistics and long-distance problem solving. His company completed projects from the most remote Alaskan village to the military bases of Hawaii and The Azores.

Looking for a new challenge and having experienced small group adventure travel as a guest, Dan and a partnership group bought Backcountry Tours of Bozeman, Montana in 1994. Established a decade earlier, Backcountry Tours was a well recognized purveyor of small group, multisport tours throughout the western United States. As the full time Director, Dan was responsible for a 50% increase in bookings the first season and for "systemizing" and establishing solid policies and procedures that would propel Backcountry to become an industry pacesetter in product quality and client service.

In the fall of 1997 Dan sold his interest in Backcountry and set off on yet another adventure. He created Adventures Plus and was determined to deliver an even higher level of service and experience to his guests. Starting out from the basement of his home with a handful of programs, Adventures Plus quickly doubled in both clients and programs three years going. Passionate about active travel and over-the-top customer service, Adventures Plus allowed Dan the opportunity to marry the two while living out his dream.

In 2000, Dan met Paul Lehman, entrepreneur, adventurer, and financier and with his backing, a new company was created. The circle became complete when Adventures Plus changed its name to Austin-Lehman Adventures and at the same time acquired Backcountry Tours. Austin-Lehman Adventures was born.

Dan lives in Billings, Montana with his wife Carol and two very active young adults, Kasey and Andy. When not in the office the Austins are all out doing what you would expect, traveling the world, biking, hiking, fishing, climbing and exploring new destinations.

Paul Lehman, Founding & Managing Partner email: pl@austinlehman.com

After graduating with a BA in 1972 from Middlebury College and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Chicago in 1975, Paul began a career as a social worker in Chicago. For five years, he was the director of a community-based youth service agency that helped inner city teenagers with social issues and substance abuse. At the urging of his father, Paul joined his family’s business, Fel-Pro, in 1980. A recognized leader in automotive parts, Fel-Pro was also known for its progressive human resources practices and was consistently ranked as one of the Top 10 Companies to Work For in Fortune and Working Mother magazines. During his 18-year career with the company, Paul was involved in purchasing, human resources, strategic planning, sales, and marketing. Its primary customers in the automotive aftermarket consistently recognized Fel-Pro as the preferred industry brand.

Throughout his life, Paul has been an avid traveler with a burning desire to experience new things. After Fel-Pro’s sale in 1998, Paul followed his passion for travel. He longed to combine his love of nature and physical activity with his experience in business. In June 2000, Paul met and joined forces with Dan Austin to create Austin-Lehman Adventures. Their goal was simple, to create the world’s best active travel company.

Aside from his work with Austin-Lehman Adventures, Paul serves as Vice President of Winning Workplaces, a non-profit organization that helps small businesses develop better workplaces for their employees and for themselves. He is also on the board of Northlight Theatre in Skokie, Illinois and is involved in a number of other non-profit charitable causes in and around the Chicagoland area.

A firm believer in education as a supplement to life experiences, Paul recently attained his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He is married to Ronna Stamm and together they enjoy life with their three grown children and one yellow lab.

Travel + Leisure
World's Best Award Winner
Austin-Lehman Adventures was recognized as the #1 Tour Operator and Safari Outfitter in the World by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine. Read the Press Release >

National Geographic Adventure
Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth
ALA is added to the list of Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth in 2009. Read the Press Release >

National Geographic Traveler
50 Tours of a Lifetime
The editors of National Geographic Traveler single out ALA's Montana Adventure as one of their top tours in 2007. See the Complete List >