Leadership - ISES International Special Events Society

ISES Board of Directors 2003-2004


	Lori Hill - President An ISES member since 1996, Lori first became involved with the chapter when she volunteered for the silent auction that year has been involved ever since! In 1999, Lori joined the DC board as Vice President for the Newsletter and served in that position for three years. She is president of lori hill event productions, inc., a full service event production company known for transforming run of the mill corporate and social events into memorable affairs. Before forming her own company, Lori served as the Director of Special Events for the University of Maryland Alumni Association and the Special Events Manager at the International Spy Museum. A graduate of The Event Management Certificate Program at The George Washington University and the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, Lori is a proud Terrapin! .

	Carol Nissenson – Vice President and President Elect Carol joined ISES in 1994 and previously served as Vice President of Communications and Vice President of Education. She is the Managing Director of NOW THIS!, an ISES and Esprit award winning music and comedy improv troupe specializing in interactive entertainment and teambuilding. She began her career as an actress and singer and continues to perform with her troupe, but has added “businesswoman” and “director” to her resume! In private life, she is a wife and the mother of two sons. Her passion is the Duke Ellington School of the Arts at which she has volunteered for the past five years.

	Renee Wood – Secretary Renee Wood, the Secretary for the DC Chapter, is very excited about her first year on the ISES Board. Renee works for The TCI Companies where she serves as the Product Development Specialist for the In-Bound Team. She joined the TCI team in January of 2001, where she worked with the Business Development Team before moving into her role as the Product Development Specialist. A native of the Baltimore/Washington area, Renee works with TCI’s clients to research, develop and write proposals for programs in the Mid-Atlantic region. Before joining the TCI team, Renee worked as a Flight Attendant for US Airways. She has a B.A. degree in Advertising from the University of Maryland, College Park. Her hobbies include traveling to new places, reading and, as a self-proclaimed beach bum, hitting the beach whenever possible!!

	Mitch Rotker – Treasurer Mitch Rotker has been an ISES member since March of 2001. Last year he served on the board as Front Desk Director. Mitch’s company is Smoothie Time, Inc. Smoothie Time brings fully equipped smoothie bars to any event, social or corporate. Smoothie Time also has a retail store in upper Northwest Washington, DC. Mitch’s favorite activity is spending time with his twin newborn girls.

	Tracy Bloom Schwartz, CSEP – Education Vice President Tracy became a member of ISES in 1998 and immediately joined the board. She has previously held positions in both Programs and Education. She earned her CSEP in 1999. Tracy manages the boutique at Creative Parties, Ltd. where a team produces invitations and custom created and printed items for all types of special events. Additionally, Tracy plans events as well as manages operations and marketing for the events division. Tracy has received two ISES awards, one for Best Public Event and for Best Corporate Event and one nomination for Best Graphic Design. She received an IFEA award for Best Brochure. Tracy is a tap dancer at heart.

	Sheila Graham, CSEP – Newsletter Vice President Beginning her eighth year as a Board Member, Sheila is the Newsletter Vice President. Previously, she served as Secretary and Membership Director. She is the Vice President of Events and Creative Resources for the American Red Cross. Prior to that, she was a Public Affairs Officer in the Navy handling PR and special events; the Communications Director for the City of Falls Church; and the Senior Account Executive for corporate, non-profit and Congressional events at the McLean-based Hayes & Associates. Sheila has received two ISES awards for Graphic Design and Best Corporate Event Planning.

	Raegan Smythe - Newsletter Director Raegan is returning as the Director of Newsletter, and has been an ISES member since 2000. She is the Event Manager and President of Chase Your Tail Productions, Inc. Raegan dedicates herself to providing affordable turnkey meeting and event production solutions with dependability and a smile. Both an animal and nature nut, Raegan does a lot of camping on the weekends with her husband and 3 dogs.

	Dave Edwards, CSEP - Membership Vice President Dave is returning this year as Membership VP. He has been a member locally, and regionally, since 1999 and was named the 2001 Volunteer of the Year. Previously, Dave served as Job Bank Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, Front Desk Chair, and Gala Program Book Chair. He also produced ISES’ first family picnic, ISES Island Adventure in 2001. Dave Edwards’ Events! is a full-service event production company, specializing in corporate and non-profit events. Their major client, Future City, is a national competition reaching 35,000 students. Dave Edwards’ Events! is founded on passion, integrity, creativity and attention to detail. Dave Edwards has 9 years of experience in event production, catering, entertainment, trade shows and conferences. Dave obtained his Certified Special Event Professional Certificate in 2001 and he is a graduate of the Event Management Certificate Program at George Washington University. He was awarded the 2000 ISES Northeast Regional REC Scholarship and the 2001 ISEF/Max Goldblatt Scholarship. He’s a self-proclaimed nature freak and travel buff.

	Ray Bialek - Membership Director and Past President Ray has been an ISES member since 1990 and has held several Board positions since 1991, including Director, Treasurer, Vice President, President, and Immediate Past President. He is the President of Bialek’s Music Ltd., which secures entertainment for corporate events, weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, and dances. He enjoys playing with his grandson, is on the board of Indian Springs Country Club and is also past president of the Amity Club. His goal is to be retired by 2010 and to move to Las Vegas or Phoenix for half of the year to play golf and relax.

	Bob Blanken – Communications Vice President Bob became a member of ISES in 1994 and has previously held the positions of both Job Bank and Gala Entry Co-Chair. When he is not working with ISES, Bob concentrates his time on his company, Blanken Photography Studio, Ltd. The firm photographs social events, as well as commercial, executive and family portraiture. Bob is also the Past President of the Professional Photographers Society of Greater Washington, and the current National Councilor representing Maryland for the Professional Photographers of America. A Certified Professional Photographer and Photographic Craftsman with a degree from PPA, Bob was the recipient of the 2002 ISES Volunteer of the Year award and won the Capital Award for Social Photography.

	Ashleigh Dorfman, CSEP - Communications Director An ISES member since 2000, Ashleigh served as the Communications Director last year, responsible for redesigning the chapter Web site and improving email communications. She has also served on the newsletter committee and other ad hoc committees. Currently the manager of event marketing at VeriSign, Ashleigh has been involved in the events industry for almost 10 years. Last year, she earned the Certified Special Event Professional (CSEP) designation and also has her Masters in Event Management from The George Washington University. No time for hobbies, Ashleigh's hands are full with her baby girl, Lauren.

	Karen Bridges – Programs Vice President Karen has been a member of ISES since 1998 and has been an active volunteer with the production of both the 1999 and 2002 ISES Capital Awards Galas. She is the Vice President of Operations for BRAVO! Events by Design, a full service event management and production firm. Karen is also a graduate of the Master of Tourism Administration program with a concentration in Event Management from The George Washington University. BRAVO! Events by Design won awards for both the Best ISES Team and Best Public Event Planning categories at the 2003 Capital Awards.

	Laura Weatherly - Programs Director Laura has been an ISES member since 1996, and has served as Gala Chairperson and Vice President of Programming. She is the President of Engaging Affairs, Inc., a wedding and special event management company. Before joining the event industry, Laura was a literary book editor. She enjoys traveling, cooking, and scuba diving and is writing the second of a series of mystery novels based on (what else?) the Washington, DC wedding industry.

	Helen Dubaich, CSEP – Breakers Director Helen is currently President of Capitol Events, a destination and event planning company. She is also a graduate of the George Washington University’s Event Management Certificate program and has earned a CSEP designation. In the past, she served as a Board member of the ISES Greater Washington, DC Chapter for three years. She now serves as Director of Breakers. Capitol Events has received two ISES awards for specific events executed.

	Nancy Shaffer - Capitol Awards Gala Chair Nancy has been a member of ISES since 1998 and has been active in chapter activities since 1999 when she served as the Gala Chair. Nancy was the co-chair for the 2002 Gala and is the chair for the 2004 ISES Capital Awards Gala. Nancy is the founder and president of BRAVO! Events by Design, a full service event and meeting management company, known for it’s seamless events and ability to create powerful teams. BRAVO! is the winner of the 2003 Capital Award for Best Public Event and Best Team Event. Nancy was a finalist in the 2002 Event Solutions Spotlight Awards in the category of Rising Star. BRAVO! has been featured in several national magazines showcasing their events and industry knowledge. Before BRAVO! Nancy was a top-level corporate salesperson in the telecom industry. BRAVO! was born as Nancy followed her love of events and the impact they can have on people!

	June Ciuba Ring – Front Desk Co-Director An ISES member since 2002, this is June’s first year on the board. Prior to serving on the board, she volunteered at the 2002 ISES Gala and was the torchbearer at the summer 2003 picnic games. For the past 17 years she has been in catering sales beginning with the Clyde’s Restaurant Group in 1984 and moving to Lawsons /RSVP Catering in 1992. At RSVP, she became top sales generator and held that title for 8 consecutive years with record numbers. She was promoted to Vice President of Sales and assumed full responsibility of all sales in 2002. Outside of work, she is an avid runner having completed many road races and 5 marathons; including two trips to the Boston Marathon. She also enjoys cooking, reading and family time.

	Julee Staley Julee has been a member of ISES since 1993. As the director of catering at the Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, Julee was the hotel host for the First and Second Annual ISES Capital Awards Galas, which were held at the Ritz-Carlton. Julee is currently the director of sales for Ridgewells, a full service catering company celebrating it's 75th year catering to the Washington, D.C. community. Ridgewells was the Capital Award Winner in 1999, 2002 and 2003 in the catagory of Best Cuisine. Ridgewells also catered the 2003 Capital Awards Gala held in April at FedEx Field.

	Alysha D. DiGiorgio – Committees & Job Bank Director Alysha became a member of ISES in 2000 and this is her second year on the board. She is the Director of Sales & Marketing for Digital Lightning, a special events lighting and fireworks company created by her husband. The company has received five Capital Award nominations for Best Technical Production. Prior to Digital Lightning, Alysha held several positions in the special event industry including Director of PR and Special Events for a National Non-Profit Organization. Alysha has also served as a volunteer EMT with the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department since 1994.

	William (Bill) Karl Knight, CSEP – Immediate Past President Bill joined ISES in 1995 and has previously held the positions of President, Vice President of Education and Vice President of Community Service. In 2001 he was the recipient of the DC ISES President’s Award. In 2002 he received the Capital Award for Best ISES Team Event. In addition, Bill was recently elected to ISEF (International Special Event Education Foundation) as a board member. He is an Adjunct Faculty member with The Event Management Program at The George Washington University. Bill’s hobbies include cooking and reading, collecting American Craft glass and ceramics, as well as first edition bargain novels for which he never pays more than $5.

	Pam Burton - Past President/Advisory Board Pam has been a member of ISES since 1995 and is the winner of the 2001 Chapter Leadership Award and the 2002 Capital Award for Best Entertainment Production. She has served on the DC ISES Board as President, Vice President, Education Director, Newsletter Director and Volunteer Chair and for the past eight years volunteered for the Capital Awards Gala. She has been with Cast of Thousands Entertainment Company since 1994 and currently holds the position of Vice President. Her hobbies include dance; ballet, jazz, ballroom, and west coast swing. She also enjoys theatre -- from performing onstage to ushering at the Signature Theatre.

	Dale Harmon – Past President, Advisory Board Member Dale Harmon has over 30 years in the interior plant industry. From a first job at a neighborhood Sears store to his current job as special events coordinator for Plants Alive!, Dale's passion and love for the industry is never ending. Over the years, Dale's foliage creations have decorated many special event sites around the country including the American Institute of Architects annual meetings, Presidential inaugurals since the Ford Administration, Atlanta Olympic Games, the Washington, DC NATO Conference and hundreds of functions at the National Building Museum, Kennedy Center, and the Corcoran Gallery. Dale has been active in ISES since it was formed and has served on the Greater Washington, DC board in various positions including President in 1993, and is now a member of the Presidents’ Circle. He has also been active on the International Board serving on the Board of Governors, as well as the membership and education committees. Co-Chair of the 1999 Conference for Professional Development held in Washington, Dale was most recently elected to the Executive Committee of the International Board where he serves as President Elect, and was awarded Rental Professional of the Year at the 2002 Event Solutions conference in Florida.

	Martin Janis – Past President, Advisory Board Member A member since 1989, Martin has held numerous positions for ISES including Public Relations, Newsletter, President Elect, President, International Regional VP, International Membership Committee, Financial Governance Task Force, IPLC, International Finance Committee and Board of Governors for 5 years. Martin is CEO and President of Atlantic Services Group, Inc., a full service parking and transportation company. His hobbies and interests include playing with his wife and kids, playing basketball and baseball, and running. He is involved with various charities including Juvenile Diabetes and is a board member for the National Foundation for Teaching.

	Bonnie Schwartz – Past President, Advisory Board Member Bonnie became an ISES member in 1991 and has been a driving force ever since. She previously served as Vice President of Membership, Vice President of Programs/Front Desk Chair, First Vice President, and President. Bonnie also started the Community Service programs and conceived and started the ISES Expo. An event planner and owner of Bonnie Schwartz & Company, Bonnie helps produce both social and corporate events. Her hobbies include collecting contemporary artwork; especially glass. She is on the board of the Renwick Alliance, and she enjoys traveling in her free time. Bonnie also notes that she is a terrible golfer.