MEET THE TEAM
Janet Holliday, DMCP
President & CEO
Creative Spark. Eternal Optimist. Dynamo of Energy.
Over the last three decades, there are very few of San Antonio’s most prestigious projects and events that haven’t been touched by the expert hand of Janet Holliday. As President & CEO, Janet is a highly sought-after expert in events and marketing, not only in Texas but throughout the country. The depth and breadth of company services combined with the style, organizational skills, positive work ethic, and radical customer dedication are the foundation of the company culture, Janet has built that has long positioned the CE Group as the leader in their industry. She has played a leading role in many of San Antonio’s most celebrated hallmarks and continues to deliver impactful experiences and stellar results to every client. Janet stays healthy with Pilates, good home cooking, and lots of sleep. Married for 38 years, she enjoys long walks with her dogs, reading, traveling, and coloring outside the lines.
Krista Garcia
Managing Director
Street Closer. Aspiring Crossfit Queen. Procession Leader.
Ever since her first job as a birthday party hostess, Krista has loved the energy and reward of planning and executing events. As a Managing Director and leader of the Events team, Krista possesses a wealth of knowledge when it comes to strategic guidance and equally specializes in high-impact experiences such asgroundbreakings, grand openings, culinary experiences, festivals, and galas – the more moving parts, the better. Krista began her tenure with the company in 2009 as a Venue Management intern, and is adept at being a resource, clearing red tape, venue consulting, problem solving, and celebrating every step of the process. A fourth-generation graduate of Baylor University, Krista loves all things urban placemaking, mind-bending documentaries, and spending time with her husband, Pete, three stepsons, and their two dogs.
Shane Kyle
Managing Director
Husband and Father. Exceptional Listener. Weekend Drummer.
Shane has been an artist his entire life. As a Managing Director and leader of the CE Group’s Creative and Communication teams, he translates the love of shape, space, and color into award-winning brand identities for a variety of clients and events. Working in the initial research phase, he builds a consistent visual platform that has true meaning and resonance, and adeptly transforms ideas into clean, bold designs. From the development of logos and event brands to the production of signage and collateral, all visual elements contain the thread of the client's message woven throughout. His graphic design expertise and immense creativity allow the CE Group to go beyond what is expected. When not in the office, Shane enjoys spending time with his wife and four children.
Lesley Travis
Event Senior Director
Next-Level Event Producer. Random Gift-Giver. No-Fail Cheesecake Chef.
Lesley specializes in envisioning and sourcing the collateral, décor, and production elements that make events truly memorable, and executing them to perfection. Efficient, outgoing, and always quick to volunteer, Lesley is a star when it comes to marrying logistics and creativity. Lesley’s Bachelor's degree in Entrepreneurship from Baylor University and resourcefulness in project management make her a successful communicator, capable of understanding and catering to specific client objectives. Some of her clients have included Visit San Antonio, Women in the World, Rackspace, Witte Museum, as well as numerous projects for H-E-B. A country girl at heart, she enjoys exploring her home state of Texas camping with her husband, and entertaining friends and family.
Viviana Durand
Event Senior Director
Reina of Multicultural Events. Vendor Whisperer. Nutrition Nerd.
Along with strong marketing and branding, Viviana believes that flawless event planning and execution is the foundation for communicating a client’s mission. Originally from Mexico and fluent in Spanish, Viviana brings added value for bilingual clients and vendors to ensure cultural understanding and trust. With almost 10 years of experience at CE Group, Viviana merges her passion for creating unforgettable events and experiences with her attention to detail to execute successful projects. Away from work, she loves running, reading, CrossFit, and spending time with her family and two adorable pups.
Rebecca Eschete
Event Director
Organization Enthusiast. Revitalization Champion. Animal Lover.
With a Bachelor’s degree in both Public Relations and Social Interaction, and a Master’s degree in Interactive Media and Design, Rebecca brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and charisma into the projects she manages. She loves working on events as if they were a puzzle, crafting and working on each piece to fit perfectly together. Clients respond to her positivity and commitment. When she is not at work, Rebecca enjoys hiking, listening to music, spending time with family, loving her dogs, and chasing her toddlers.
Nicole White
Event Senior Manager
Organization Queen. Cooking Wizard. Plant Mom.
Nicole discovered her passion for working in the events industry while studying Communications at Texas State University. She has excelled in this industry by showcasing her ability to adapt in a fast-paced environment. By combining her communication and organizational skills, Nicole supports the CE Group with responsibilities including event production, database management, and all things logistics. She enjoys being in the thick of everything, from initial planning to last-minute details, and you can always find her on the front lines problem solving and getting her hands dirty. When she is not juggling office and onsite tasks, you can find her trying on one of her 90 pairs of shoes or obsessively cleaning her house.
Jennie Wojtczak
Event Manager
Foster Pup Fanatic. Friend Gatherer. Cold Weather Superfan.
Jennie is a detail-oriented project manager and multi-tasking expert with over a decade of experience in the events industry. After receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Liberty University, nonprofit clients quickly launched her into the event world as she began her career. From 5ks, galas and golf tournaments to music festivals, graduations, and community events, she excels in vendor coordination, budget management, onsite execution, and managing event components for multiple events simultaneously. With a deep passion for people, love for a good celebration, and a desire to help make the world a better place, Jennie wears the multitude of event hats with a calm, can do attitude. When away from the office you can find her trying new Pinterest recipes, walking them off with her pup Ralph and planning her next travel adventure with friends.
Elise Hougesen
Event Coordinator
Midwest Homegrown. Passionate Planner. Labrador Lover.
Elise was born and raised in Indianapolis, a city thriving with hospitality, and from which developed and instilled a passion for excellent customer service and delivering quality results. Elise began assisting her mother with planning events and pursued her Bachelor of Science degree in General Studies with a focus in Event Management as well as a minor in Communications from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). From there her desire grew to seek a career of helping others create memorable celebrations. An attentive listener, Elise can absorb a client’s vision, style, and goals to project manage and plan to create deliverable moments and events. Since moving to Texas, Elise, her husband, and labrador retriever, Beau, can be found hiking trails and camping at Canyon Lake.
Alexis Blanchard
Event Manager
Energetic Extrovert. Sports Fanatic. Charcuterie Queen.
Alexis is a dynamic event professional with a passion for hospitality and serving others. With a background in the sports industry, she has a proven track record of producing outstanding experiences in a fast-paced environment. Alexis supports the CE Group with responsibilities that include project management, logistics, event production, and anything and everything else that a client may need. No task is too big or too small. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture with an emphasis in Event Management and Floral Design from Texas A&M University. While Alexis loves all things floral, she also loves baseball. During the baseball season, you can catch Alexis watching the Astros with a charcuterie board in hand.
Danielle Henning
Event Manager
Team mediator. Small town girl. Cookie Connoisseur.
Growing up Danielle always knew that she wanted to work in the hospitality industry. Setting out to pursue her mission and putting her Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management degree from the University of Tennessee to the test, she has gained a heart for service and a brain for organization and logistics. Always looking to learn new tricks of the trade, she carries all experiences gained with her. She grew up in a small, midwestern town and as a former rollercoaster operator, she is a pro at controlled chaos.
Angela Perez
Event Manager
List maker. Star gazer. Lover of all things chocolate.
Angela’s natural love of organization and planning makes the fast-paced events world her perfect match. She has several years of experience planning large community events for the City of San Antonio and the U.S. Air Force. Angela received a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Texas A&M Corpus Christi, remains a lover of learning, and her detail-oriented mindset and passion for spreadsheets makes her a valuable member of the company’s event team. In her free time, Angela enjoys exploring, reading, and soaking up every precious moment with her two young boys and husband.
Desiree Hughes, DMCP
Event Senior Manager
Orchestrator of Occasions. Bonafide Musicophile. Multi-Event Juggler.
Desiree is a goal-driven, detail oriented professional with a proven track record of working in high-pressure environments, taking on new projects and completing them with success. She has a strong work ethic with demonstrated ability to take initiative in both the DMC and events world. In 2019, she received her DMCP (Destination Management Company Professional) Accreditation. Desiree excels in finding and suggesting the best fit for your program, and prides herself in creating a “one stop shop” experience for her clients. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University in Criminology. In her free time, Desiree enjoys going to concerts, listening to true crime podcasts, reading pretty much anything, and trying new restaurants.
Megan Copeland
Event Coordinator
Sports Enthusiast. Shopaholic. Cookie Connoisseur.
Megan embarked on her career at the CE Group as an intern on the Events team then became a full-time team member through her proven dedication and commitment to creating memorable experiences. She has proven to be an invaluable asset, contributing to various behind-the-scenes tasks, and supporting the execution of the CE Group’s signature events. Her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from St. Mary’s University has helped her bring a unique personal perspective to her work. Megan is no stranger to leadership roles, both in her academic and athletic pursuits. During her five-year tenure as a soccer player at St. Mary’s University, she captained her team for three years and led them to their first NCAA Tournament appearance. Outside of her professional life, Megan enjoys spending time with her family and fur babies, and staying active any way she can. When she has an ounce of free time, you can find her at the mall or binge-watching Grey's Anatomy.
Christyn Baer
Event Senior Manager
Former NCAA Track Star. Peanut Butter Chocolate Blue Bell Fan. Outdoor Aficionado.
Christyn has been managing events, primarily sport-focused, for the CE Group for over a decade. A former college athlete and coach with a Master’s degree in Sport Management from the University of Texas at Austin, her passion and depth of knowledge has made her a leader in many CE projects. Obsessed with logistics and always looking for new ways to improve efficiency and productivity, Christyn loves to save time and money and minimize complications for both clients and her team. Outside the office, she skillfully runs a household comprised of a husband, three small humans, a yellow lab, some chickens, some goldfish, and a tadpole.
Jordan Ladd
Event Senior Manager
Checklist Fiend. Crawfish Connoisseur. Outdoor Enthusiast.
Always looking for something to organize or chaos to control, Jordan loves bringing events to life with high energy and a smile. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Management from Texas A&M University, she brings to the CE Group experienced project management skills from sports and nonprofit organizations alike. Jordan’s commitment to success and attention to detail ensures that she creates impactful experiences for clients no matter the size or the budget, and her natural ability to focus on communication throughout the process develops strong relationships amongst teammates and clients. Outside of the office, you can probably catch Jordan enjoying the outdoors with her fiancé and their dogs Jack and Koda, trying a new restaurant, recipe, or spending time with family and friends.
Dempsey Warren
Event Senior Manager
Captain of Hauling and Schleping. Get-to-Know-You Guru. Non-Stop Dinner Party Hostess.
Dempsey’s mission in life is to help others feel celebrated and important, and that extends to her clients and their audiences. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Sports, Event, and Tourism Management and her Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio while serving as captain of both the NCAA volleyball and basketball teams. Those leadership roles gave her the interpersonal communication and organizational skills that she applies to all her projects. She has a special place in her heart for nonprofits and organizations with philanthropic missions. Although her collegiate athletic days are over, she still loves staying active through cycling and other group exercise classes so that she can keep up with her growing family.
Taylor Knochenhauer
Event Coordinator
Motivated Team Player. Experience Curator. Boba Lover
Taylor embarked on her career with CE Group as an Event Intern, where she discovered her passion for creating memorable experiences. She excels at delivering an unwavering amount of support and commitment to her team to ensure that every event transforms into an unforgettable project for both the attendee and the client. Taylor recently graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and is continuing her education at UTSA through the Master of Business Program. Outside of work, Taylor enjoys many types of exercise, capturing moments with her film camera, and cherishes quality time with her loved ones.
Megan McAngus, CTA
Event Senior Manager
Pilates Goddess. Fanatical Team Player. Voracious Learner.
Prior to joining the CE Group team, Megan worked in corporate finance and ran an equestrian business. Although her professional background is in accounting and banking, she has planned many events and travel experiences for clients and craved more of the creativity and camaraderie she was missing as an entrepreneur. She brings extensive experience both outside and inside the events industry, and her role allows her to plan and produce creative events in a cost-effective manner while keeping the client’s bottom line in plain sight. Megan loves to take ownership, solve problems, and rise to challenges. When not supporting the team at CE Group, Megan can be found sipping wine in Napa, hiking in Colorado, or teaching at a local Pilates studio.
Felicia Flores
Event Manager
Solution Finder. Detail Enthusiast. Travel Junkie.
Felicia is a seasoned professional with over 10 years of experience in project management and client satisfaction. Her extensive background in event production spans a wide range of events, from intimate private gatherings to large-scale galas, community celebrations, and sports events. Felicia's passion for events is evident in her dedication to creating memorable experiences, and her collaborative and solution-oriented approach ensures that every detail is meticulously managed. Felicia holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications - Public Relations, with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio. In her free time, she enjoys immersing herself in San Antonio's vibrant culture, discovering its hidden gems, and satisfying her wanderlust by traveling whenever the opportunity arises.
Julie Treviño, DMCP, CTA
Senior Manager, DMC
People Lover, Problem Solver, Lover of Antiques.
Julie started her career in hospitality as a corporate travel agent in 1983. Shortly thereafter, she was given the opportunity to learn from the ground up all aspects of the destination management business. She has relished working in the industry exclusively for over twenty years. Julie has had the Destination Management Certified Professional (DMCP) accreditation for over ten years, is past President of the San Antonio chapter of the DMC Roundtable and was an advisory board member of the Alamo Area Hospitality Association for two terms. Julie is a Wisconsin native and loves to shop for vintage kitchen treasures and attending live music concerts in old Texas dance halls. She has been married for 36 years and has one son, a proud Texas Aggie!
Brandi Morehouse
Senior Manager, DMC
Organization Guru. Mom of Three. Speaks Wine and Pizza.
Prior to joining the CE Group DMC team, Brandi spent several years as an event producer and strategist with CE DMC’s Network Partner in Seattle, Washington. She brings to San Antonio a wealth of knowledge and experience in tailoring to a vision for client projects, all the while managing and exceeding expectations. When it comes to details, she has a strong eye for logistics and works hard to ensure each piece is communicated, documented, and produced to the highest level. Brandi enjoys cultivating and maintaining relationships with both new and existing clients, vendors, partners, and industry professionals alike. Fun fact – Brandi first grasped onto and developed a niche for planning events after hosting a baby shower for her 5th grade teacher!
Megan Lippe
Coordinator, DMC
Wanderlust. Hot Tea Fiend. Wannabe-Documentarian.
Recently returning to her San Antonio roots, Megan is forging ahead in her career at CE Group by cultivating joy and memorable experiences in her hometown. She is passionate about the tourism industry, creating and planning impressionable projects, and enjoys the robust world of Destination Management. She is well versed in vendor management, the importance of every detail, and uses an analytic thought process when working on projects alongside her teammates. Outside of work, Megan is seeking an Associate degree in Hospitality Management from St. Philip’s College. She can be found enjoying time with her family or on the road exploring new places to share with others.
Brittny Campbell
Senior Manager, DMC
Site Map Superstar. Idea Hamster. Abstract Artist.
Brittny has close to two decades of experience in the live events industry and specializes in conceptualizing, designing, and producing one-of-a-kind experiences. She loves integrating technology and production into events and is a huge fan of the “element of surprise”. Brittny prides herself on her ability to understand a client’s needs with little direction and always strives to take an idea to the next level. She is an innovator who is solutions-focused and maximizes performance and profitability in each project she is a part of. In her free time, you will likely find her painting, at the dog park with her Doberman, or ideating on her next big event concept.
Brianna Perez
Marketing Coordinator
Content Aficionado. Eternal Optimist. Sushiholic.
With a knack for all things content and social media, Brianna found her lane to run in while pursuing a degree in Marketing at the University of Texas at San Antonio and then began working as a social media manager. She thrives when given an opportunity to pair her passion for keeping up with the latest platforms and trends with her desire to connect the digital dots between brands and their target audience. Brianna approaches each project she is given with a fine-tuned balance of creative energy and calculated strategy, and firmly believes that growth is a concept that should apply to all facets of life, including a brand’s online presence. Outside of the office, Brianna loves to plan spontaneous adventures such as mid-week evening picnics, dinner parties with friends, or weekend getaways.
Shelbi Young
Communication Director
Encourager. Get-to-Know You Question Queen. Strategic Thinker.
Shelbi is a detail-oriented, out of the box thinker with nearly a decade of experience in the Public Relations and Marketing industries. With a multi-faceted skillset and a knack for all things PR, she thrives when given the opportunity to harmoniously blend her knowledge of public relations, events, and marketing into success for clients. Shelbi graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from Texas State University and has a career track record that includes traditional agency experience, corporate marketing, and time working for a national radio station. From content creation and social media to large-scale multi-touch campaign development, to media pitching and public relations, Shelbi has developed a multi-faceted skillset due to her commitment to excellence and unwavering dedication to PR and marketing. In her free time, Shelbi enjoys serving others, trying out new recipes, sipping on an iced coffee from a local coffee shop, and spending time with her husband and adorable son.
Claire Barrera
Communication Senior Coordinator
Communication Queen. Enthusiastic Editor. Amateur Painter.
Claire stumbled upon her passion for public relations, communication, and event planning while working in the fine arts industry in Georgia. After completing her Bachelor of Arts in Art History from the University of Georgia, Claire returned to her hometown to pursue a Master of Arts in Communication at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Claire’s years of experience in public relations and leadership roles in the fine arts field have given her a unique insight into harnessing creative approaches to streamline communication. From crafting press releases and editing copy, to participating in community outreach, she carries her enthusiastic and positive mindset into every project she tackles. Outside the office, you can find Claire painting the great outdoors or gardening with her grandparents.
Faith Casanova
Communication Coordinator
Storytelling Superstar, Messaging Maestro, Sunset Lover
Faith has been an avid reader and writer since childhood. As a Communications Coordinator, she leverages her passion for sharing stories along with her expertise in Public Relations and Marketing to ensure that clients' narratives are strategically conveyed to target audiences. She excels at blending her creativity with strategic thinking to deliver meaningful and impactful results. She is a firm believer that kindness and a positive attitude are invaluable in every situation. Faith graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations and a minor in Marketing and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Communication. She has served in multiple leadership roles, including President of the Public Relations Student Society of America. In her free time, you can find her spending time with her family and friends, at her favorite yoga studio, or chasing the sunset on an evening walk.
Marcela Pena
Graphic Designer
Crafty Creative. Aspiring Photographer. Connoisseur of Luxury Paper.
As part of the CE Group’s Creative team, Marcela provides her clients with a fresh, modern approach that tells the visual story of their brand. Her work includes developing brand designs, creating invitation and program layouts, and overseeing creative strategy for the CE Group’s and Goods Collective’s websites and the company’s social media channels. Marcela is happiest working closely with her team and clients to create seamless design solutions. She is currently the President of the San Antonio Chapter of the American Advertising Federation’s (AAF) Board of Directors and loves keeping up with the latest design trends. Originally from the Mexico, Marcela especially enjoys projects with multicultural elements.
Margie Benson
Office Manager
Early Riser. Reality and True Crime TV Superfan. Passionate Advocate.
Margie comes to The CE Group with 30 years of office administrative experience. She is known in the office as "Mamma Margie" and describes her role as “practically a counseling position.” To her, the CE team are her clients, and she strives to handle all requests with maturity, patience, and perspective. She epitomizes the CE logo of juggling many balls, including office procurement, scheduling meetings, IT liaison, and, with her encyclopedic knowledge of the warehouse inventory, she ensures every event has a complete customized box of supplies. In her spare time, she loves taking long walks, cheering on her favorite sports teams, and following politics. Margie is, unsurprisingly, always the last to leave the party.
Grecia Garza, CPA
Controller
Wizard of Spreadsheets. Semi-pro Loteria Player. Diehard Spurs Fan.
With the CE Group since 2016, Grecia handles everything from budgeting to forecasting, payroll to receivables. In addition to her Master’s degree in Accounting from Texas A&M San Antonio, she has achieved her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Certification. A team player to the core, she is happy to be pulled away from her spreadsheets to help with events. Grecia feels her motto, “if you aren’t growing, you’re in slow-motion liquidation,” applies to both her professional and personal life. In her free time, Grecia spends time with her family and friends, runs and boxes to offset her serious Vietnamese Pho addiction, and lavishes attention on her needy Sphynx cats, Luby and Gumby, and her Shih-Tzu, Moo-Moo. In a family of extremely serious Loteria players, she is known as El Parajo, the bird.
Kimberly Perales
Accountant/Office Coordinator
Queen of All Dances. Avid Manga Reader. Girl for All Seasons.
When it comes to numbers and organization, Kimberly stands out among the crowd. With her lively personality and motivated work ethic, she excels in all things around the CE Group office. She is a first-generation graduate from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and is studying for her CPA certification. Around the office, you can find her glued to her screen producing highly accurate financials, reviewing expenses, and providing administrative support. Kimberly brings confidence and a wave of creativity to the team all while keeping all things on track. She is a star on the dance floor with expertise in a wide variety of moves. She also enjoys binge-watching shows, discovering new recipes, and gaming with her friends.
Julianna Campuzano
Accounting Clerk
Numbers Ninja. Spreadsheet Superstar. Disney Fanatic
Julianna brings a sharp eye for detail and a passion for accuracy to the CE Group administrative team. She is adept at spotting discrepancies, reviewing accounts, and supporting the team with various accounting projects and tasks. Julianna manages sensitive information with integrity and works collaboratively to compile and analyze data that supports the company. A first-generation graduate from San Antonio College, Julianna earned her associate degree in accounting and is continually developing her skills to gain more confidence in the industry. Outside of work, she enjoys relaxing walks in the park, listening to music, and engaging in video games.