
THE MAST TEAM
THE MAST TEAM

John Werner, CTC, VTA
President & COO
(630) 889-9817 x121
John Werner, CTC, VTA, President & COO

Donna Zizek, VTA
Director of Marketing & Supplier Relations
(630) 889-9817 x123
Donna Zizek, Director of Marketing & Supplier Relations

Stephanie Werner, VTA
Director of Operations & Member Affairs
(630) 889-9817 x127
Stephanie Werner, Director of Operations & Member Affairs

Pam Romani
Director - Host Agency & Support Services
(630) 889-9817 x122
Pam Romani, Director - Host Agency & Support Services

Matt Hutten, VTA
Sr. Manager - Digital Strategy & Technology
(630) 889-9817 x132
Matt Hutten, Sr. Manager - Digital Strategy & Technology

Kathleen DiBacco
Accounting Manager
(630)-889-9817 x126
Kathleen DiBacco, Accounting Manager

Courtney Simpson
Partner Marketing Manager
(630) 889-9817 x130
Courtney Simpson, Partner Marketing Manager

Cara McCurdy
Social Media Manager & Content Creator
(630) 889-9817 x133
Cara McCurdy, Social Media Manager & Content Creator

Nani Pickell
Target Marketing Specialist
(630) 889-9817 x135
Nani Pickell, Target Marketing Specialist

Kara Rothkegel
Member Recruitment & Account Manager
(630) 889-9817 x136
Kara Rothkegel, Member Recruitment & Account Manager

Michele Etienne
Administrative Coordinator
(630) 889-9817 x137
Michele Etienne, Administrative Coordinator
Michele is a highly dedicated Administrative Assistant with over 12 years of experience supporting senior leadership and managing office operations. She brings a strong background in scheduling, event coordination, and executive support, with a proven ability to handle complex logistics and administrative tasks independently. At Wells Fargo, she successfully managed travel arrangements, facilitated HR processes, and coordinated meetings and events with precision.
In this multifaceted position, Michele will play a key role in keeping our operations running smoothly and supporting many of our most important programs and events. Michele will be coordinating Virtual Private Business Appointments, organizing our Supplier Spotlight Lightning Webinars, and taking minutes during key committee meetings.
Michele also assists in the planning and execution of our annual awards process, supports meeting and event speaker coordination, and helps gather bios, headshots, and seminar descriptions for our various initiatives. From assisting with board elections to prepping for meetings at the MAST headquarters, and maintaining office supplies and equipment, Michele is an essential part of our team’s success.

Jannai Bates
Host Agency & Support Services Coordinator
(630) 889-9817 x138
Jannai Bates, Host Agency & Support Services Coordinator
Jannai is our Host Agency & Cruise Program Coordinator, working in tandem with Pam Romani to support our members on the MAST cruise programs.
Jannai is a graduate of Butler University with degrees in Political Science and International Studies. While in college she interned at the Department of Defense, Civil Rights Commission / Law Office where she was responsible in handling confidential information and data management, along with other duties. In a previous role Jannai oversaw a team of six employees and implemented workflow processes to gain efficiencies and standardize work practices. She has strong experience in fast-paced environments, attention to detail, and communication.
Although new to working in the travel industry, Jannai has traveled for personal enjoyment, including trips to Italy, Greece, UK, and Mexico. New Orleans has been a favorite and repeated destination! Special note – her favorite dessert is ice cream!

Sonia Paul
Marketing Services Coordinator
(630) 889-9817 x140
Sonia Paul, Marketing Services Coordinator

Susan Filz, CMP
Manager of Meetings & Events
(630) 889-9817 x141
Susan Filz, CMP, Manager of Meetings & Events
Susan Filz is a Chicago-area native. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations from Illinois State University and a Master’s Degree in Communications from Northern Illinois University. She has been a Certified Meetings Professional (CMP) since 2020.
Susan brings over 20 years of event planning experience to MAST. She began her career as a program manager for an electronics industry association with responsibility for organizing senior level executive meetings. She discovered she enjoyed creating experiences for attendees and made it her profession.
She previously served for six years as MAST’s Manager of Meetings & Events, returning in 2025.
Susan’s goal is to deliver educational and fun in-person experiences for MAST members and preferred suppliers. She leads all phases of the logistical planning process for meetings, trade shows and training events. She also provides customer service to those with event-related matters.
Susan’s favorite travel destination is anywhere with a sunny beach!
Board of Directors
![Geoff Hendren. nhead shot[36]](https://mvptravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Geoff-Hendren.-nhead-shot36.jpg)
Geoff Hendren
Chairman & CEO
Bon Voyage Boutique Travel LLC
Neenah, WI
![59C25ED4-EA81-4442-9FDA-0692407CDD1D[6]](https://mvptravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/59C25ED4-EA81-4442-9FDA-0692407CDD1D6.jpg)
Bernice Bakley
Vice Chairman
Huntley Travel
Huntley, IL

Kelly Rueckl
Treasurer
CTS Travel
West Bend, WI

Cindy Brown
Secretary
Oui Travel
Batavia, IL

Jill Loveless
Carefree Travel
Delavan, WI

Patty DeRoo
Crystal Lake Travel
Crystal Lake, IL

Marc Tonti
Classic Travel & Tours
Bloomingdale, IL

Kelly Ortiz, VTA
Guru Travel
Elgin, IL

Rosann Corpolongo
Eclipse Travel
Homer Glen, IL
Committees

Marketing Committee
Chaired by Patty DeRoo
Crystal Lake Travel
Crystal Lake, IL

Finance Committee
Chaired by Kelly Rueckl
CTS Travel
West Bend, WI

Education Committee
Chaired by Cindy Brown
Oui Travel
Batavia, IL

Technology Committee
Chaired by Marc Tonti
Classic Travel & Tours
Bloomingdale, IL
![59C25ED4-EA81-4442-9FDA-0692407CDD1D[6]](https://mvptravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/59C25ED4-EA81-4442-9FDA-0692407CDD1D6.jpg)
Supplier Review Committee
Chaired by Bernice Bakley
Huntley Travel
Huntley, IL

Meetings & Events Committee
Chaired by Kelly Ortiz, VTA
Guru Travel
Elgin, IL

Membership Committee
Chaired by Jill Loveless
Carefree Travel
Delavan, WI

Luxury Committee
Chaired by Rosann Corpolongo
Eclipse Travel
Homer Glen, IL







