Click on a photo for each staff member's bio.
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LISA BRANDES
I started A+ Events in 1994 and have been enjoying every minute of the company's progress since. I love the "magic" of mixing a variety of ideas to create unique experiences for our clients. I get excited about organizational growth and helping groups shape their messages. And, I'm especially pleased that we get to do this every day for organizations that are making a positive difference in the world. Our staff are absolutely the best people to work with and I'm continually astonished by their creativity and enthusiasm. Outside of work, I enjoy travelling, photography, reading, cooking and hiking.
I started A+ Events in 1994 and have been enjoying every minute of the company's progress since. I love the "magic" of mixing a variety of ideas to create unique experiences for our clients. I get excited about organizational growth and helping groups shape their messages. And, I'm especially pleased that we get to do this every day for organizations that are making a positive difference in the world. Our staff are absolutely the best people to work with and I'm continually astonished by their creativity and enthusiasm. Outside of work, I enjoy travelling, photography, reading, cooking and hiking.
RICH BRANDES
I watched Lisa create A+ Events many years ago, and I am delighted to now be part of this growing company. I started my career in the U.S. Coast Guard, where I served on ships on both coasts and worked closely with the maritime industry. My second career was in the petroleum industry were I managed facilities, and later, an environmental program. I enjoy working in small business, and it is a pleasure meeting and assisting people in the education industry. I enjoy sailing, participating in Rotary and travel.
I watched Lisa create A+ Events many years ago, and I am delighted to now be part of this growing company. I started my career in the U.S. Coast Guard, where I served on ships on both coasts and worked closely with the maritime industry. My second career was in the petroleum industry were I managed facilities, and later, an environmental program. I enjoy working in small business, and it is a pleasure meeting and assisting people in the education industry. I enjoy sailing, participating in Rotary and travel.
ALEX BRANDES
I joined A+ Events in 2010 and am very happy to be part of this fun and effective team. As Media Director I work on a variety of multimedia projects, including creating promotional audio and video, and working on the website and internet compatibility issues. I have BAs in Environmental Studies and Anthropology from UC Santa Cruz, and worked for several years doing edible landscape design in Los Angeles before moving to Fort Bragg on the beautiful northern California coast. Outside of work I love traveling, hiking, and digging in the garden.
I joined A+ Events in 2010 and am very happy to be part of this fun and effective team. As Media Director I work on a variety of multimedia projects, including creating promotional audio and video, and working on the website and internet compatibility issues. I have BAs in Environmental Studies and Anthropology from UC Santa Cruz, and worked for several years doing edible landscape design in Los Angeles before moving to Fort Bragg on the beautiful northern California coast. Outside of work I love traveling, hiking, and digging in the garden.
AIMEE HANSON
It is a joy to work with the thoughtful, solution oriented team at A+ Events. My experience includes managing large events and marketing/administrating successful programs in the lifestyle and non-profit healthcare industries. As Managing Director of A+ Events, it is exciting to use my background to enhance the positive experiences of conference attendees. In addition to work I enjoy travelling, jazz music, western movies, landscape photography and culinary delights. I look forward to meeting you and your team.
It is a joy to work with the thoughtful, solution oriented team at A+ Events. My experience includes managing large events and marketing/administrating successful programs in the lifestyle and non-profit healthcare industries. As Managing Director of A+ Events, it is exciting to use my background to enhance the positive experiences of conference attendees. In addition to work I enjoy travelling, jazz music, western movies, landscape photography and culinary delights. I look forward to meeting you and your team.
JASON HARRIS
I joined the amazing team of professionals at A+ Events in 2009 after moving from the Midwest to Fort Bragg. As Director of Operations I oversee systems management, implement training for new employees, and address many customer service related issues. I enjoy the unique challenges that come with preparing for each conference and the excitement of interacting with everybody on site. It is a pleasure to collaborate with the A+ Events staff, incorporating many creative ideas to ensure we give our clients the best experience possible. My background includes over 10 years in client relations in the insurance industry. In my spare time I enjoy travelling, gardening, going to the beach and anything new that life has to offer.
I joined the amazing team of professionals at A+ Events in 2009 after moving from the Midwest to Fort Bragg. As Director of Operations I oversee systems management, implement training for new employees, and address many customer service related issues. I enjoy the unique challenges that come with preparing for each conference and the excitement of interacting with everybody on site. It is a pleasure to collaborate with the A+ Events staff, incorporating many creative ideas to ensure we give our clients the best experience possible. My background includes over 10 years in client relations in the insurance industry. In my spare time I enjoy travelling, gardening, going to the beach and anything new that life has to offer.
SARA LINER
As Communications Director at A+ Events, I work closely with each department to ensure our language is consistent, important ideas come across and that we are giving our clientele access to the information and resources they need. I update and create content and copy for our various web-based projects. I hold a BA in Literature from Mills College in Oakland, with emphases in Creative Writing Fiction, Journalism and Spanish. My professional background includes youth outreach, public relations, social media and freelance journalism. In my free time I can be found volunteering with local Non-Profits and working on various writing projects and articles. I also enjoy improvising in my kitchen, singing to my dog Bernie and taking my love of film and music to outrageously nerdy levels with my friends.
As Communications Director at A+ Events, I work closely with each department to ensure our language is consistent, important ideas come across and that we are giving our clientele access to the information and resources they need. I update and create content and copy for our various web-based projects. I hold a BA in Literature from Mills College in Oakland, with emphases in Creative Writing Fiction, Journalism and Spanish. My professional background includes youth outreach, public relations, social media and freelance journalism. In my free time I can be found volunteering with local Non-Profits and working on various writing projects and articles. I also enjoy improvising in my kitchen, singing to my dog Bernie and taking my love of film and music to outrageously nerdy levels with my friends.
MICHELLE NOE
As Creative Director, I produce the branding for each event we serve, which translates into web-layout, print-work, logos, graphics and signs. I also provide information design: structuring the visual aspects of our content so that it is easily understood and efficiently organized. I collaborate with other staff members developing concepts and design for any project that calls for it. I hold a BA in Design/Media Arts from UCLA and have over five years of experience as a freelance designer. I am fascinated with almost everything and when I am not reading design and typography books, I'm cooking, digging in the dirt and enjoying the company of my friends.
As Creative Director, I produce the branding for each event we serve, which translates into web-layout, print-work, logos, graphics and signs. I also provide information design: structuring the visual aspects of our content so that it is easily understood and efficiently organized. I collaborate with other staff members developing concepts and design for any project that calls for it. I hold a BA in Design/Media Arts from UCLA and have over five years of experience as a freelance designer. I am fascinated with almost everything and when I am not reading design and typography books, I'm cooking, digging in the dirt and enjoying the company of my friends.
NATALIE SERRANO
I am excited to be a part of the talented team of creative individuals that is A+ Events. I grew up on the beautiful Mendocino Coast and have recently returned. I have a degree in History of Art and Visual Culture from UC Santa Cruz where I worked for many years in the administrative field. As an executive assistant here at A+ Events I take pride in providing excellent support to our clients and team members. In addition to my career interests, I also love spending time outdoors, with family, and with friends.
I am excited to be a part of the talented team of creative individuals that is A+ Events. I grew up on the beautiful Mendocino Coast and have recently returned. I have a degree in History of Art and Visual Culture from UC Santa Cruz where I worked for many years in the administrative field. As an executive assistant here at A+ Events I take pride in providing excellent support to our clients and team members. In addition to my career interests, I also love spending time outdoors, with family, and with friends.
AMY SARISKY
As Content Director at A+ Events, I'm responsible for booking inspired and inspiring speakers and helping to provide meaningful content for our conferences and events. Before happily joining the team at A+ Events, I worked in magazine publishing, media, and advertising in New York City. I hold a BFA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts as well as an MA in Adolescent Education from Hunter College in New York City. When I'm not at work you can find me taking photos, writing, crafting things, traveling, obsessing over mid-century modern furnishings, cooking, making lists, and reading just about anything.
As Content Director at A+ Events, I'm responsible for booking inspired and inspiring speakers and helping to provide meaningful content for our conferences and events. Before happily joining the team at A+ Events, I worked in magazine publishing, media, and advertising in New York City. I hold a BFA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts as well as an MA in Adolescent Education from Hunter College in New York City. When I'm not at work you can find me taking photos, writing, crafting things, traveling, obsessing over mid-century modern furnishings, cooking, making lists, and reading just about anything.