Young Association Professionals (YAP) yapstar.org

Hi,

I live in Melbourne, Florida and am a true Floridian. My dream was to be an event planner although I went to college for Economics. When I graduated, I got a job as an executive assistant and slowly took over the events for the pharma company I worked at. After being laid off, I opened an event and meeting management company, Flair & Associates and have since then taken on several different projects including planning association annual conferences for a couple international entities. Several years later, I am still handling all logistics for one association conference and am actively involved in their growth through committees and interaction.

I love to read, run and play the piano. I live in a fixer-upper home that takes a lot of my spare time. I hope to learn, learn, learn and become a stronger asset to the association I work with!

Hi - My name is Shaun and when I am not singing the praises of Social Fish, I am the CIO for CollectiveX which powers the world's Groupsites (including this one). Don't let the title fool you, my "CIO" is not Chief Information Officer (the person who actually knows how all the tech stuff works), I am the Chief "Involvement" Officer and I don't care how it all works, I only care about the people using the tool and helping them make things happen.

I live in Baltimore with my wife (Sheila) and son (Jack) and our RockBand name is "Calibrat3".

I graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1985 where I was "Mr. Pep" and the captain of the Navy Crocquet team.

In 2001, I won the National Meow Mix Jingle Competition ($20,000 and a lifetime supply of cat food) and I don't even own a cat.

I'm a certified music junky with over 80,000 songs in my iTunes library, love to dance, play piano and I am a professional Cajun Rubboard player.

Finally, I think YAPSTAR is one of the healthiest and productive things to happen in the association space in a long time.  Keep up the good work.

Shaun

I'm Bruce, and professionally I am the Director of Communications/Editor for the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. I think the reason I love association work is because I think there is a lot of good that can be done through our work. In my future, I want to continue in association work in the communications area, leading a large association's communications efforts.

Personally, I am originally from Youngstown, Ohio, and currently live in Aurora, Illinois with my wife of almost a year, Anna, and our two cats. I am a sports fanatic, cheering exclusively for teams from Ohio (the Browns, the Indians, the Buckeyes, etc.) I enjoy volunteering, playing sports like golf and basketball, hiking, nature, photography, riding my bike, and spending time with family. I also am a huge concert-goer, having gone to over 100 concerts in my lifetime.

Lastly, I am turning 30 later this month, which doesn't bother me at all because I look like I am older than that (bald) and feel like I'm older than that (have done a lot personally and professionally).

 
This is fun. Thanks for starting this Maddie! I am looking forward to hearing about all of the other YAPstars.

Hi, my name is Rob and I am an Association Executive. It has been more than 15 years since my last job. 

I was in a lot of trouble as a teenager and had a run in with police outside a local sports club early one morning. The caretaker of the club heard the commotion and came outside offering the police the opportunity to have me and my mates clean the place up in lieu of being taken in.

We took the cleaning job, stayed the whole weekend and came back the next weekend as volunteers. 

That weekend led to 20 years volunteering as a lifeguard (surf lifesaver) in Australia plus my first job in Association land as a development officer working for the peak organisation - Surf Life Saving Australia - at 19. Since then I have been chief executive of a NZ organisation, an Australian Olympic sport and now General Manager - Operations with Fitness Australia. 

Association management brings out the pride, resourcefulness and passion in my work and has created a network of colleagues and friends which now spans to the US and beyond thanks to ASAE and YAP. I place leadership, trust, connection and innovation as core values and hope to engender them as the values which make my organisation successful. 

I'm Moira and I came to the US from Ireland about 13 years ago.  At first I continued working in aviation.  In Ireland I worked for Aer Lingus and then in the US as a contractor with the Federal Aviation Administration. 

But then I ended up at an association, pretty much by accident.  I started on the technical end, but soon got interested and involved in the constituent end.  I ran service programs for that association, first one, then more than one.  In the end, my job was to plan and develop new programs, and that turned out to be a lot of fun.

So I've just moved from the Association of American Medical Colleges to the American Nurses Association, where I hope to develop new non-dues revenue-generating programs and services. 

I live in Alexandria VA with my six-year old son and our two cats.  I sat the CAE exam in December, and thanks to my great study group, especially Lisa at the American College of Cardiology, I passed.  I really like association work and am pretty certain that the non-profit sector will keep me occupied for the next 20 years or so, in one way or another.

I'm really glad to have connected with the YAP group and pay tribute to Maddie for her great work and energy.

I'm Phil and I used to give away BUDWEISER for a living. It was the best job in the world! Everybody loved me. I managed Anhueser-Busch hospitality centers at the breweries in Florida, New Hampshire and St. Louis, where I was born and raised.

Part of my job was giving tours of the properties and hosting special events with community groups where I gave speeches about the company 3 nights a week.

I got turned on to Association Land by planning and executing all those good times with planners. It was really great to be part of gathering people for professional development and having good times together. We also hoisted a few Budweisers because Making Friends was my business..

Eventually my career took me to the Busch Family Estate in STL where I supervised operations for the original Busch Gardens, named Grant's Farm.  There I hosted lots of world class special events, had a staff of over 100 team members and managed the attraction for over 5000 guests a day. We gave away a lot of Bud there. My record was 93 half-barrels in one week.

I was always involved  in professional associations as I relocated across the country.

When I chaired committees I would share recent experiences and pass along training materials from my Fortune 500 employer. People joined my committees for their own professional development and I loved helping them grow.  Eventually I became President of the STL Attractions Association, and won some awards for involvement with MPI and the National Speakers Association.

When my corporate career ended, I built a new career by doing only the things I enjoyed from past experience.  Now I have my own business where I speak and train for associations and employers. Helping others grow and learn is what I enjoy doing most.

I am a board member for the Human Resource Association (SHRM) and belong to MPI and the STL CVB.

I like the good energy of YAP.  Maybe I'll get the chance to have some Buds with some of you!

I'm Elizabeth.  I grew up in the the Philadelphia area (E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!), but have lived in DC since 1997, so I really do consider myself to be from DC now.

Like most people, I fell into association work accidentally, landing my first association job with the American Political Science Association on the strength of my graduate degree in political science (Masters from UVA in 1996) and my familiarity with, or at least lack of fear of, technology.  I spent 10 years working for various associations and have been consulting in association management for just over 2 years now.  I earned my CAE as part of the class of December 2003 and have been working with/supporting the study process pretty much ever since.

I'm married, no kids, and my spouse and I live on Capitol Hill, where we spend a fair amount of time and money working on our nearly 100 year old rowhouse and catering to the whims of our two cats. 

Other passions include gardening, reading, dancing, live music (esp. jazz, funk, blues, zydeco, soul, R&B, go go - anything you can dance to), live theater, New Orleans (which is my FAVORITE PLACE), cooking/eating in, eating out, mixing cocktails, drinking cocktails, and trying to maintain my urban hipster cred as I near 40.

As director of member relations for the Health Care Association of Michigan (HCAM), I manage a host of member retention, recruitment, outreach and engagement initiatives, including the Association's web and audio conferencing services. Additionally, I monitor licensure requirements for Michigan health care professionals; submit continuing education applications to multiple accrediting organizations/agencies for all virtual education; work closely with board members to coordinate regional meetings and events; and support the overall success of the annual convention. Through the Associate Partnership Program, I also foster strategic partnerships with vendors that share a genuine interest with HCAM in furthering the quality of long-term care. In this capacity, I manage the largest long-term care trade show in Michigan and secure sponsorships from associate partners for various events.

I bring to this position both teaching and conference planning experience, having served as adjunct faculty at Lansing Community College and conference coordinator at Michigan State University. Likewise, I recently earned the certified meeting professional designation from the Convention Industry Council, recognized worldwide as the badge of excellence in the meeting, convention and exhibition industry. I am a member of the American Society of Association Executives and The Center for Association Leadership; the Professional Convention Management Association; and Meeting Professionals International. Additionally, I hold a bachelor's degree in political theory/constitutional democracy, with a concentration in social relations, from Michigan State University (Go Green!) and a master's degree in administration, with a concentration in leadership, from Central Michigan University.

Like a number of you, I fell into the association community by accident. I graduated from college and was looking for a full-time job. I wasn't thrilled with the idea of working for a long-term care association, but it was work and I had bills to pay. Six years later I'm still working for the same association, but in a different role and with a whole new perspective. Just last year I decided to join a couple of professional associations for additional networking and professional development opportunities. Although my experience with ASAE is somewhat limited, it has more than solidified my identity as an association professional and has opened countless doors for me professionally. Currently, I serve on the Young Professionals Committee and contribute to Acronym as a guest blogger. My next hurdle is studying for the CAE exam.

Oh boy, here we go...

Hello hello! My name is KiKi (Yes, that's really my given name and no, it isn't a nickname) and I have always been involved in some kind of communication/relationship building activity as a job.

Today I work with chapters, sections, and the Young Professionals Program for the Optical Society of America (OSA) and I am active in the Component Relations Section Council for ASAE.

...Incidentally, the Optical Society is more about lasers and the science of light and not so much about glasses in case you were wondering...

I also work as a freelance makeup artist on the side (http://www.kikilitalien.com) and I am one of the National Press Club's regular makeup artists.

I'm married to a man who understands my need to be able to just be a nerd sometimes (thank god!) and I'm a new mom to a gorgeous little girl named Margaux Dare L'Italien who is just over a year old.

Social media has a great deal to do with my daily routine and I am not sure anything besides "online community builder" really satisfies describing my current job. I think that might even fall short.

I lived in Haifa, Israel for a bit in college...I'm originally from a small town in southwest Missouri...I'm fond of studying punctuation and grammar (not that it makes me an expert!)...I love champagne...and I adore the ellipses...

Hi Everyone. I'm Jamie Notter (occasionally known as JNott or McLovin). Like several above who have responded, my association career is somewhat accidental. Technically it started in my childhood--my Dad was President of the AIA, so he dragged my brother and me to the conventions for several years in the 1980s (that's where I learned to forget everyone's name and rely on nametags!). But when I did grow up I ended up in the conflict resolution field, doing work in areas of ethnic conflict around the world. I then shifted to doing organizational work as a diversity trainer and consultant before launching my own consulting firm in 2001. My first client was an association, and I never looked back. After seven years of consulting around areas of conflict, teams, leadership, strategy, etc., I merged my business with an AMC--Management Solutions Plus--where I continue my consulting to associations, while also serving as Executive Director for the National Association of the Remodeling Industry Metro DC Chapter. I love writing, including blogging and twittering. I have a couple of books out there as well.

I have three daughters--the oldest of whom turns 15 soon, so thanks for counting me as "young." I love cycling and running. I'd love to hit 2,000 miles biking and 500 miles running this year, but the whole "job" thing tends to get in the way. Every fall I do a four-day ride with friends from Pittsburgh to DC. Finally, a question:

How is it possible that we have in our YAPPY midst someone who used to have a job GIVING AWAY BEER, and we haven't been able to put his talents to use?!

Oooh--what fun--great idea Maddie!

My name is Maggie and I do social media and web stuff for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (job title/description are currently in play so I'll hold off for now).

I am also a native DC-er--was born in DC then grew up in Chevy Chase, went to college in Fredericksburg, VA (an hour south of DC) then moved back to the DC area and have never gotten further away than Olney, where I live now.

I never even heard of associations until I landed my first job out of college as a secretary--um, I mean Administrative Assistant (I was mortified to have graduated from college only to have to take a job as a secretary--my parents insisted I take the first job offer I got so that was that) for the US Council for Energy Awareness (now Nuclear Energy Association). Turned out at associations it doesn't really matter what your title is; people are always glad to have you offer to take on new responsibilities. I worked in the media relations department at USCEA for a few years, then got tired of waiting to be promoted, switched jobs, realized I made a big mistake and, a year later, switched jobs again--that time back to an association--American Forest & Paper Association. Stayed there for 3 years, had my first child and thought I'd be happy as a stay-home mom. To say I wasn't is a gross understatement.

I did the Desperate Housewife thing for 8 years and, when I couldn't stand it anymore, got a part time job at yet another association--American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN). Also got a divorce. Started dating someone at work, which was great relationship-wise but bad career-wise--with a staff of only 18 people, one of us had to leave so I was off to another job. Where I stayed for a year until I got a job at the place I wanted to work all along--ASHA.

Tired yet? I'm 40 but Gen-Y has nothing on me in the job-switching category!

Oh, and those 8 years when I was stuck at home, miserable? My only solace was my online moms group--which is why I am obsessed with online communities and social media. My entire social life took place online for 8 years. Sort of pathetic, but whatever--works for me. Too bad they didn't have blogs back in those days or I would have been a lot happier and more productive.

Anyway, now I'm married for the second time, have 2 kids (almost 13 and almost 11) and love my job. Having to climb the career ladder twice hasn't been the greatest, but I've learned a lot--pick an association job and I have probably done it.

I am Matt Baehr, aka CardCat on the Twitter scene.  I am originally from Columbus, Ohio and moved to DC to go to college at Catholic U.  I played soccer in college while getting a degree in Human Resources.  My first exposure to associations was interning in HR for the American Council of Life Insurance.  I then started the CUA chapter of SHRM.

After doing HR for a few years, I went to grad school at Ohio Univeristy where I did an MBA and a Masters in Sports Administration.  When I left OU, I went to a small college in southern Indiana where I was the Men's Soccer Coach and taught undergraduate business classes.  However, the rural life was not for the wife and I, so we moved back to DC.  My wife Mary and I met at CUA and were happy to get back to DC.

Mary got a job working doing market research at a trade association where a few of our classmates worked.  Then the Director of Membership job opened up and I convinced them that Membership was a mix of HR and Marketing, my two educational focuses.  For a while, there were 4 of us from CUA, all with offices next to one another.  After almost 4 years there, I was able to get my current job, Executive Director of the Arlington Soccer Association.  We handle all youth soccer for Arlington County and Falls Church.  I couldn't have done it without the folks I met through ASAE and social networking like this. 

On the personal side, I have an unbelievable daughter Maddie who turns one tomorrow.  I have a puggle Erin who is 5.  I still play soccer several times a week.

I'm Sandra Giarde and I am the Executive Director for the California Association for the Education of Young Children and a Senior Account Executive at Association Resource Center in Folsom, California. 

I hail from Redlands in sunny Southern California but have called Sacramento home for the past 15 years. I was a political science major in college (Go UC Riverside Highlanders!). 

Back in the day (aka the 1990's), I worked in the US House of Representatives and the California State Assembly before crossing over to the private sector of political consulting. In between leaving the Hill and moving back to California is when I was introduced to the association world.  My first job was working as a receptionist at an association dedicated to eyes.  However, this would prove to be a brief detour as I was recruited to come back to California and jump back into politics and public policy.  I spent the next seven years as a political consultant.

In 2000, I left politics behind and jumped back into the association world via joining the staff of a Sacramento AMC.  I was the Executive Director for the California Cleaners Association in addition to handling membership and events for the Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada.  

I love association work because it fosters connections, promotes progress and helps members achieve their goals.  Plus, it has allowed me a fabulous lifestyle where I experience California convention centers and eat more than my share of hotel chicken dinners!

I've been called many things: Facebook junkie. Twitter addict. LinkedIn aficionado. MySpacer. With nearly a decade in association management, I've even been called a "seasoned association pro." I have yet to be told what seasoning they are referring to but believe it might be nutmeg or cumin.

Disneyland is a lifestyle and an addiction with me.  My board is used to me suggesting "Anaheim" as a location for every board meeting and educational event!  I love our Southern California meetings because I carve out a day or two to whip out my annual pass and spin around in a teacup like a little kid.

I currently am single, no kids (that I know of) and live in Sacramento.  And yes, I *have* seen Arnold Schwarzenegger and he needs to lay off the self tanner.

Hi, there!  My name is Toni Rae Brotons, and I currently serve as the Director of Education & Research for the International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA). I'm also a professional actor and have spent most of my adult life trying to balance my artistic side with my business side. 

I graduated from Miami of Ohio in 1995 with a Master's Degree in Theatre. My first job after grad school was with the Educational Theatre Association. For the past 14 years, I've either been employed by an association, struggled as a performing artist, or made a living doing both. I can actually say I'm happiest when I'm doing both. I will say it's a mite more challenging as I move up the career ladder, but I'm still able to make it work.

Most of my association duties centered around program management and program development. At IFDA, my department was given the task of providing more online education opportunities for our members, as well as further develop the Center for Distribution Excellence, our online resource for foodservice distributors. This challenge led me into the world of social media, and to make a long story short, we plan to open our online community next month and four of the staff hold Twitter accounts. I'm fascinated by how our culture is shifting due to social media, not to mention how human beings are learning and gathering information. It's an exciting time.

On the personal side, I'm single and only bitter about it sometimes . In February, I joined a great fitness club and am becoming an exercise fanatic. I love to cook and subscribe to about four food blogs. I am adopted and in the past few years have become more connected with my birth family. I'm half-Filipino, in case you're wondering--everyone always does! And I've started my blog, but I'm not sure what it wants to be when it grows up.

So I think I'm one of the youngin's of the group (being only 26).

I got into the association world because my mom has been working for associations as long as I remember and sometimes she needed cheap summer labor. Before my current role I've mainly worked in membership, but I've been known to moonlight in government affairs at times. Currently I'm working as the Manager, Marketing Technologies at AAPA (the Physician Assistants AAPA). Basically what that title means is that I use social media to engage and interact with members. As we all know, an engaged member is a member that finds value, and when members find value, they stay a member.

Anyways, to get more personal. Born and raised outside DC, in Alexandria. I studied theatre in college in lovely Seattle, and have a BFA in Directing. After graduation I worked at a vet hospital as a receptionist (or at that place... aka Jack of all trades), which is where I adopted my adorable little pitbull Lucy. Yeah, she stole my heart and really taught me how amazing this breed is to own, though it does take a certain type of person to be able to handle such a strong willed dog. I currently live in Baltimore after moving back east 2 years ago, because honestly I can make more money on this coast. I have a second pitbull Cyrus who I adopted from the Baltimore shelter almost a year and a half ago. So now my mother has two "grand puppies", or at least that's what we call them. Other than doing theater in the local Baltimore scene, I don't do much else. Though now that I'm on a break in between shows I'm going to be on my association's softball team (I played for many years, before & during high school) this season and looking forward to kicking some butt. :)

Oh and my WTF takeaway - I'm obsessed with watching trashy reality TV, like VH1 style trashy. You may ask why - b/c as a theatre person, when I watch an actor I constantly am looking at the choices and actor or director make. The "reality" allows me to just sit back and zone out, while the trashiness is to make me giggle.

<--- That's me.

I've been in the association world for about 9 years, a place I found by accident like a lot of others here. After working for several years in printing/publishing, I was looking for something that would use more of my skills in communications (besides graphic design). Stumbled upon an ad for a job with the Air Line Pilots Association, which seemed perfect for a huge airplane/airline geek like myself. They apparently thought it was perfect as well, since they hired me. This was in St. Louis, and I worked directly with TWA pilots. Timing was not perfect, however, as three months after I started working for them TWA went into bankruptcy for the third (and final) time and sold their assets to American Airlines.

Luckily another position was open with ALPA in Phoenix, and I winged my way west where I spent two years until another transfer brought me to Memphis, where I am currently working as marketing & communications director for the Memphis Area Association of Realtors. I love association work because it offers so many opportunities to make a difference in our members' professional lives. And in my experience there's always a lot of room for you to make your job as much as you want it to be.

If you ever hear me speak you'll know I'm not a Memphis native. Although I was born in California, my family moved to the Chicago area when I was four so that is and always will be home to me. Though my time in warmer climates has made Chicago winters a bit less appealing.

I live with my partner of 12 years and our four cats and two dogs. I love reading, solving crosswords, cooking, trying new wines, travel, exercise and started practicing yoga about a year ago and have become addicted.

 Hi All:

I'm Melissa Schultea.  I got involved in YAP because I am studying for the CAE exam in December.  I would classify myself as one of the lurkers that can never find the time to participate in online communities.  But I'm always watching... 

I am originally from Houston and moved at 19 to Los Angeles to attend USC and get my BA in classical clarinet performance.  Nine years later I moved to Paris to get my MA in the same degree.  I stayed for 3 years until I was too broke to pay for food and promptly moved home to live with my mother as an adult.  To put it lightly.....What an experience!  I wanted a job as fast as possible so I could get out.  (I do love my mom, but still.....)  And so I ended up in association management.  Romantic isn't it?  I've only worked for the Society of Petroleum Engineers, but I've had a couple roles and been based in 3 of their 5 offices.  I am now based in London working in membership, specializing in university level students and young professionals.   

My next step is to develop my career and I'm not exactly sure how to do that.  So I'll keep lurking in the YAP site and see what comes of it.

I'll be at the ASAE Annual Meeting, so I'm hoping to meet some of you in person.

melissa

Hi everyone!

I am a native DC metro area-er (I grew up, and still live, in MD).  Actually both of my parents are as well so that makes me kind of unique I think.

Being a native to DC I live and die by the Redskins (sorry Elizabeth!).  It has been a love-hate relationship lately as Daniel Snyder has successfully turned everything football related (except revenue generation) into a big mess.  Hopefully this is our year (again, sorry Elizabeth!).

I graduated from the University of Vermont (Cats are playing in Frozen Four tonight at Verizon!  Go Cats Go!) and had dreams of going into sports marketing as a career.  Well things didn't turn out as expected so I went back to school and got my MBA from George Washington. 

After graduation I had a short stint at a big government contractor which was honestly as boring as could be.  From there I knew I had to follow my passion in really doing hands on marketing and got an entry level job in a trade association.  15 years later I am still here.

During the past 15 years I have had the good fortune of working at great places and meeting lots of great people.  I truly consider the association world and ASAE my home and really enjoy this community.  I have learned the value of networking and friendships and volunteering.  I don't think I could have learned that anywhere else.

After 12 years or working at places like American Association for the Advancement of Science, National Geographic and AARP I went out on my own and started Scott Oser Associates (creative naming for a marketing guy, huh?).  We just celebrated our 3 year anniversary and are excited to be helping the association community, and some for-profit companies, with their membership, marketing and sales challenges.

As a former association professional in title (I still consider myself an association person even though for ASAE purposes I am not in that membership category) I really enjoy helping the association community and that is one of my goals.  I try to share my expertise as much as possible and meet the needs of clients and non-clients alike.  That is why I volunteer, speak and write as much as I can and also why I have launched a series of seminars with Kevin Whorton on marketing topics.  Of course this is business development but for those of you who know me I am truly trying to help the people who are in the roles that I used to be.

I have 2 great kids (Lexi is 11 and Joshua is 9).  Both are very involved with sports and since I work out of my home office I get volunteered to coach everything from soccer to baseball to basketball.  Juggling schedules is a challenge but I really enjoy it.

Believe it or not my wife operates her own business out of the house as well.  Fortunately my office is in the basement and hers is upstairs so we don't stumble over each other.

I don't know what else to say except that I hope to meet you all soon.  I will be at MMC in Baltimore, Annual in Toronto and as many Idea Swaps and networking events I can get to in between.

Hi everybody,

My name is Stephanie Saltzberg and I'm the New Media Writer for the American College of Radiology in Reston, Va. I work under the PR Director so I do some media relations including arranging interviews with our members and reporters. I also write and proofread, maintain our blog, do some media monitoring, update our Web site and RSS feed, research and produce our 3x/week e-newsletter, and have made some cameo appearances on patient education videos and marketing collateral (yes, I actually consented to wear a hospital gown on camera, what was I thinking?).

Anyway, I'm going into my second year at ACR and I'm having a blast. It's my first association job. My boss rocks. Before this I was working at a local parenting magazine, where I also wore many hats. I started out as the publisher's assistant, and within six months was running the production of three magazines. Stressful much? I used to think magazines were my passion. I still love them but I love the web so much more now. It's immediate and real - no waiting around for a printer and agonizing over comma placement. I also interned at Elite Traveler Magazine in NYC. Never heard of it? Probably because it's only available by subscription to celebrities and pro athletes (and it's $35/issue).

Anyway, that's my life right now. Other passions include photography and music. I'm a band geek; my fiancé teaches high school band so I never miss it, which is good. I'm definitely a newbie around here, but trying to get my feet wet whenever possible.

I also have a slight obsession w/Twitter (@saltzberg, and occasionally @YapStar).

Good to meet you all!

P.S. Lynn, I'm 24 so I think I may be the youngest youngin of us all

Hi All,

Great Idea, Maddie.  Like everyone else I fell into association management.  I currently serve as the Associate Director, Component Management for the American Physical Therapy Association.  I help run an in-house Association Management Company an serve as the Executive Officer for one of our sections.  I earned my CAE with the class of December 2005 (the new 10-domain year!).  My early career was in marketing and promotions. I then mommy tracked it and worked in the fitness industry for several years as a personal trainer, fitness director and aerobics instructor before starting in association management.

I am a native Southern California girl transplated to the East Coast (ok, transfered here in high school, but still have a lot of California girl here).  I earned my B.A in Mass Communication from Towson University where I was on the women's swim team, and captain of the dance team.  I am married to an awesome Aussie, who I met when he was on tour in the U.S. with the Australian National Box Lacrosse Team.

In my free time I like to work out, read, play piano and sing.  Like Lynn, I am involved with the Baltimore Theater community.  I have performed with several companies in Howard County and Baltimore City.  I am taking voice lessons again, and am preparing for a recital where I will sing with my daughter!  I have a daughter (18) and a son (17). Given the age of my kids, I would say that I am a YAPstar at heart!