ISES NJ North Board of Directors
Jackie Marko
President
Crowne Plaza Somerset-Bridgewater
jmarko@cpsomerset.com
732-764-6422
After obtaining a bachelors degree in Psychology from Rutgers University in 2004, Jackie realized that she could no longer deny what her true calling was – event planning. After an internship with her aunt, Rhonda Marko, CMP, CMM, DMCP, President of Destination Nashville, an award-winning destination management company based in Nashville, Tennessee, and a second internship with Empire Force Events in New York, Jackie successfully managed to cultivate her knowledge of the event industry and solidify her future.
Jackie joined the Pines Manor, based in Edison, New Jersey, shortly after her graduation in 2004. The Pines Manor is considered one of the states’ largest and longest-running banquet facilities, operating since 1896. It was there that Jackie began to oversee and plan what has amounted to over 200 weddings, one of which was featured on the hit reality television show, “Bridezillas.” After over five years of service at the Pines Manor, Jackie recently joined the sales team at the Crowne Plaza Somerset-Bridgewater as their Conference Sales Manager, where she is hosting associations and businesses with over 11,000 square feet of newly-renovated banquet space and over 400 sleeping rooms. Jackie believes that networking and education are paramount to long-lasting success, and so became a member of the New Jersey North chapter of ISES in 2004, and a member of the chapter’s Board of Directors in 2006, serving terms as secretary, Director-at-Large, President-Elect and now President.
Dennis J. Telischak
Immediate Past President
Audience Pleasers, Inc.
973-773-0953
Dennis Telischak is the principal of Audience Pleasers. Audience Pleasers is a 39 year old special events management company serving public and private corporations and fundraising organizations both domestically and internationally.
Mr. Telischak is a member of the board of directors of ISES NJ North (International Special Event Society). He previously served as VP of Membership and President ISES NJ North chapter.
Dennis is past president of the IBM (International Brotherhood of Magicians) and enjoys teaching both beginners and advanced magic.
Previously, Dennis was VP and Director of Marketing and Development at Sterling Drug and Hoffman LaRoche. He was responsible for successfully launched 22 major products and was responsible for the special events activities.
In another life, served in Vietnam as a medic on a helicopter in the US Army. Dennis is the recipient of 22 combat medals including the Purple Heart.
Christine Brower
President-Elect
C. Brower & Co Creative Events
christine@cbrowerandco.com
www.cbrowerandco.com
917-667-3207
Christine is the President and CEO of C. Brower & Co Creative Events, an award winning Event Design & Production Company that specializes in unique and imaginative custom designed event decor for corporate and social events. Christine has a talent for easily developing solid relationships with her clients, colleagues and vendors. This ability allows her to relate to her clients needs, and have a greater understanding of their vision, goals, and objectives for their event. Often accused of being a perfectionist, Christine directs her passion for perfection into everything she does from event logistics to design. She is obsessed with details and believes that the details are what set apart ordinary events from extraordinary events.
Her company recently celebrated its second year in business with great successes. Christine was Featured in Celebrity Parents Magazine as “One to Watch”, was a finalist at the 2009 BizBash Style Awards for Best Overall Event Design, and was a panelist for Agenda/Best Events Magazine, discussing how today’s economy is affecting business in the special events industry. To top the year off, C. Brower & Co Creative Events won big at ISES NJ North’s Dining Spaces taking home a People’s Choice Award and Rising Star Award. Additionally, C. Brower & Co Creative Events was nominated for Best Event Design & Décor at the 2009 ISES NY Metro Big Apple Gala Awards.
Christine comes to us originally from ISES New York having previously served on the Board of Directors as Vice President of Communications and the Twin Chapter Program Chair. She has served on numerous committees over the years and has won multiple awards for her leadership and service to ISES. Last year, Christine served as Vice President of Communications of ISES NJ North chapter and is currently President-Elect.
Claire Andia
VP of Programs & Education
candia@rentfurniture.com
201-974-3700
www.afrevents.com
Claire Andia is an Account Executive for AFR furniture rentals. Her clients consist of corporate housing providers, home stagers, builders, realtors, and special event coordinators. Claire’s college background of art and design allows a colorful twist to any project she develops.
AFR provides Claire the opportunity to create a space with stylish furniture collections unique to the customers needs.
She is the VP of Programs and Education for NJ ISES North, Board of Directors member for Tri-State Relocation Services, committee member for the NJ Apartment Association, and committee member for programs in the local Chamber of Commerce. With her wide scope involvement she keeps her eye on all aspects of the industry.
Zak Kunish
Director of Finance
ZAK Events, LLC
zak@zakevents.com
(201) 264-2658
ZAK EVENTS, the forward thinking brainchild of Zak Kunish, is a unique custom design firm offering event planning services and floral design/event décor for sophisticated weddings and special events. The unique synergy of these services with our custom invitation and fine stationery division has landed Zak a “Rising Star” award from the International Special Events Society in 2007. Brides and corporate clients trust Zak to carry out their visions from all over the map including New Jersey, New York, Florida, Vermont, Oregon, Rhode Island and The Cayman Islands.
Zak has had the pleasure to work with such venues as Cipriani’s, Lincoln Center, Rockefeller Center, “21” Club, The Ritz-Carlton and many others. Clients include Rupert Murdoch, Chris Snee, Verizon, Bloomingdales, Deutsche Bank, Mercedes Benz USA, Bergen Regional Medical Center and The Valley Hospital to name a few.
John Dwyer
Co-Director of Programs & Education
Kathy Reed Productions, LLC
info@kathyreedproductions.com
732-275-1214
John holds a BA in Communications from Montclair University. He was the Artistic Director at the Dam Site Dinner Theater for many years before co– founding Murder On Cue Mystery Company with Kathy Reed in 1985 and is the associate Producer of Kathy Reed Productions, LLC. John is an accomplished Game Show Host and Team Building facilitator with over 20 years experience. He is frequently requested by Event Companies to MC their events.
John has a vast experience working with any and all types of venues / locations imaginable to ensure smooth coordination of all types of entertainment/productions. His unique experience has come from working sales to production, through creation of the entertainment, to client and venue communication, for coordination prior to the event, to on-site coordination. His first hand experience includes, but is not limited to events/shows on a major airliner, boats, busses, trains, theme parks, small boutique Hotels, Casinos, Conference Centers, 5 Star Restaurants, Convention Centers, Catering Halls, Museums, Private Homes, in parks, small and major cities and on sandy beaches, from NY to Florida to California, to Seattle to Croatia!
John is also an accomplished Actor and Writer, having appeared in over 50 stage plays, on TV in the Guiding Light, As The World Turns and the Sopranos, on film in Analyze That and as the lead in the Award winning short film Death Row. He is a member of SAG (Screen Actors Guild), AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) and GIAA (Guild of Italian American Actors).
Kathy Reed
Co-Director of Programs & Education
Kathy Reed Productions, LLC
info@kathyreedproductions.com
732-275-1214
Kathy is the executive producer of Kathy Reed Productions, LLC (known for custom designed programs – Team Building Programs and Theme Events), and the Murder On Cue Mystery Company. Since 1975 she has produced well over 150 stage plays and musicals including several world premiers, which has given her a vast experience in all aspects of theatrical production, to promotion, to maintaining a repeat audience in her Dam Site Dinner for over 10 years. Kathy has also coached numerous Actors and national winning beauty contestants. She is also an Actress, Writer and Singer, and most recently an award winning film producer. (For the independent short film Death Row.)
In 1985 Kathy and John Dwyer created the Murder On Cue Mystery Company and have produced thousands of original Murder On Cue Mysteries, nationwide since then. Kathy and John will custom design original mystery programs for 10 to 10,000.
Kathy has been able to use her background and innate ability of “. . knowing exactly what an audience wants” to work in Kathy Reed Productions, LLC to provide entertainment planning by custom designing, writing and developing; unique shows, programs, improvisational and Actor/talent interaction events.
Kathy prides herself, first and foremost, with honesty, discretion and loyalty, and making the client happy.
Brinda Merhai
VP of Communications
brinda.merhai@gmail.com
(347) 273-4041
Bio Coming Soon…
Altair Rasco
Co-Director of Communications (Media/Press)
Freelance Event Producer
Altair.Rasco@me.com
973.493.4144
A two-time graduate of Johnson & Wales University, Altair holds an A.S. in Culinary Arts and a B.S. in Food Service Management, Hospitality Sales, Meeting, & Event Management. Her combined seven years of experience in food service, hospitality, and events includes catering and food service management for companies such as Abigail Kirsch and Aramark. Over time, Altair realized that as much as she loves food, her true calling is in event planning and production.
Altair is the Production Manager for the award winning C. Brower & Co Creative Events, an award winning Event Design & Production Company that specializes in unique and imaginative custom designed event decor for corporate and social events. A talented multi-tasker, Altair is also Apple Short Hills’ Business Expert, where she manages Apple’s B-to-B services and sales, including coordinating events and workshops.
A former member of ISES RI and ISES NY Metro, she entering her fifth year as an ISES member, and her fourth year at a board capacity: She served as Interim VP of Programs for the ISES Rhode Island sister student organization, Special Events Society (SES), as well as Vice President for SES. Last year she served as Director of Administrative History for ISES NJ North. Additionally, Altair has served on various committees, including the MarCom, Membership, and Twin Chapter Program committees for ISES NY Metro, the MarCom committee for the 2009 ISES Northeast REC, and the Gala and MarCom committees for ISES NJ North.
Corrine Statia
Co-Director of Communications
Absolute Events by Corrine
csb@absoluteeventsbycorrine.com
201-852-7381
After relocating to the United States from England, Corrine Statia became a Corporate Executive with one. Corrine worked with a team that helped manage, plan, and execute more then 600 meetings, conferences and special events in one year.
It was brought to her attention that she was helping organize more events in a single year then most event planners do in their entire career. After this realization and her love for putting together “Fantastic” events, she stepped out on her own and founded Absolute Events by Corrine.
She knew she had the experience to create fantastic events for her clients, so when “other” event planners started contacting Corrine to help organize their events she knew she had made the right decision, and became known as: Corrine Statia “The Event Planners – Event Planner”
Since then she has helped organize Corporate Events for KPMG, BD, Novartis, Maersk Sealand, Victoria Secret Beauty and National Hispanic Business Group.
Richard O’Malley
VP of Membership
The O’Malley Project
richomalley@verizon.net
201-726-4362
Richard O’Malley is the founder and President of The O’Malley Project, an Event Consulting and Vendor Representative firm. His special events career has been diverse and rewarding, with stops in non-profit, entertainment production and design and décor. He previously served on the Board of ISES NYC Metro Chapter and held the position of VP of Programs and Education, as well as serving as Director of the inaugural Student Committee. During his previous ISES tenure, Richard was awarded the ISES President’s Award for Excellent Service to the chapter.
Richard is looking forward to helping grow and revitalize the New Jersey North Chapter with this amazing group of event professionals. He is also anxiously awaiting meeting all of the members at the next event.
Kimberly Geraghty
Director of Administrative History
Born and raised in Northern New Jersey, Kimberley Geraghty began her professional career in culinary arts after graduating from the Academy of Culinary Arts in 2003. Always being a people person, Kimberley decided to take a break from cooking in order to work with her clients face to face. In 2008 she obtained her bachelors degree in Hospitality Management from Fairleigh Dickinson University. While attending school, Kimberley joined boutique caterer, Food Company Catering & Special Events, where she currently resides as event producer, planning and executing special events in the tri-state area.
As a new member to ISES NJ North, joining in 2009, Kimberley worked on the Gala Committee as well as winning the Garden State Gala Best New Food Concept for 2009. She is excited for her first year on the board of directors, and all the new faces she will meet in the 2010-2011 ISES year.
Dave Buckley, CSEP
Northeast Regional Vice President
dbuckley@weparty.com
856-910-8687 x3102
David Buckley, CSEP (Certified Special Event Professional) is currently the General Manager of Select Event Rentals/Main Line Party Rentals which is a full service Rental Company. Select Event Rentals is an International, Award-Winning Rental Company that has been ranked among the Top 30 Event Rental Companies Worldwide by Special Events Magazine. They have Showrooms in Pennsauken, NJ. , King of Prussia, PA., Baltimore, MD., Washington DC and Mclean, VA.
Dave has been in the Hospitality/Special Events Industry for over 25 years. He says he knows it’s hard to imagine that he has been around that long but it’s true he started in this Industry fresh out of college in 1982 and he’s still going strong and loves every minute of it. Dave is also busy with several professional organizations such as NACE, MPI and ISES. He has been a member of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of ISES for the past 12 years. He started out as a member in 1998 and joined a few committees. Then in 1999 his path towards ISES Leadership began when he was appointed his first position on the Philadelphia Board as a Director. He followed the ISES Succession plan and continued serving on the Board for 10 years and was President for 2 full terms. He was also a Committee member on the ISES International Professional Development Committee for 2 years and is now the Regional Vice President (RVP) for the Northeast Region.