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We are people people.

We’re excited about what we do
and have passion for our profession

Amanda Stimart has worked with associations for over five years. She lives in Alexandria, Virginia with her husband and puppy.

Michael Battaglia is the account executive in our DC office. He leads two national trade associations for AMPED and consults with the International Council for Small Business in global events and journal management. Michael brings ten years of association experience and a passion for small business and entrepreneurship issues.

As the managing director of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association, Christina McCoy amplifies the voice of an industry of nearly 60 million fantasy sports players in North America, as well as companies that provide programs, products and services to a fast growing $7 billion industry. An ASAE NextGen Scholar, she was recently featured in Meetings...

As the managing director of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association, Christina McCoy amplifies the voice of an industry of nearly 60 million fantasy sports players in North America, as well as companies that provide programs, products and services to a fast growing $7 billion industry. An ASAE NextGen Scholar, she was recently featured in Meetings and Conventions Magazine as one of 15 young professionals to watch. McCoy also serves as chair of ASAE’s Young Professionals Committee. Christina earned her Certified Association Executive designation in 2017.

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Diana provides executive administrative support to Lynda Patterson, president/CEO of AMPED and the entire dynamic association management company team. Her versatile professional experience has included customer service, lending, financial branch management and office management. In recent years, Diana has lent her creative hand to nonprofits by...

Diana provides executive administrative support to Lynda Patterson, president/CEO of AMPED and the entire dynamic association management company team. Her versatile professional experience has included customer service, lending, financial branch management and office management. In recent years, Diana has lent her creative hand to nonprofits by producing inviting environments for special events and fundraisers. She has also been involved in some freelance wedding coordination. Diana holds a BA in business-marketing.

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Jen Brydges is a passionate leader who enjoys strategic planning, program management, governance and creating operational efficiencies. She has created and executed successful growth plans for both nonprofit and private sector organizations. Jen has bachelor’s degrees in political science and public administration from the University...

Jen Brydges is a passionate leader who enjoys strategic planning, program management, governance and creating operational efficiencies. She has created and executed successful growth plans for both nonprofit and private sector organizations. Jen has bachelor’s degrees in political science and public administration from the University Wisconsin-Green Bay and a master’s degree in political science from California State University-Los Angeles.

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With over 20 years of diverse experience, Chris Caple joined AMPED as a meeting manager in 2015. Her background includes corporate sales for hotels, partner development with convention and visitors bureaus, and corporate and association meeting planning, as well as planning and executing several local Madison based events. By working closely...

With over 20 years of diverse experience, Chris Caple joined AMPED as a meeting manager in 2015. Her background includes corporate sales for hotels, partner development with convention and visitors bureaus, and corporate and association meeting planning, as well as planning and executing several local Madison based events. By working closely with diverse teams, Chris is adept at responding to changing circumstances with an authentic desire to build and nurture productive relationships with clients and suppliers. She earned a bachelors degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

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Terry Driscoll has over 23 years experience in executive level administration. She started her career in the U.S. Navy as a personnel specialist and went on to earn her associate of arts degree from National University in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her enthusiasm for learning has led to a wide-range of professional accomplishments in areas such as...

Terry Driscoll has over 23 years experience in executive level administration. She started her career in the U.S. Navy as a personnel specialist and went on to earn her associate of arts degree from National University in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her enthusiasm for learning has led to a wide-range of professional accomplishments in areas such as customer service, accounting, (OSHA) safety, graphic design, meeting management and event planning. She is currently working toward the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation.

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Prior to joining AMPED, Amanda Safa worked for nonprofits in the Chicago and Ann Arbor, Michigan area, planning fundraisers, meetings and special events. Her attention to detail, organizational skills and dedication to creating valuable and positive experiences lend to her passion for event planning and management. Safa earned a bachelor's...

Prior to joining AMPED, Amanda Safa worked for nonprofits in the Chicago and Ann Arbor, Michigan area, planning fundraisers, meetings and special events. Her attention to detail, organizational skills and dedication to creating valuable and positive experiences lend to her passion for event planning and management. Safa earned a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University and a master's degree in social work from Loyola University Chicago.

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Julie Gaier is a former TV news journalist who works in media relations for The Ritterbusch Group, a full-service marketing firm based in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Connect with her at julie@trg-marketing.com or via Twitter @JulieGaier.

Before joining AMPED in early 2015, Natalie spent several years at a Chicago-area AMC where she worked with nearly a dozen associations, perfecting her event planning and membership service skills. She has a degree in hospitality management from Eastern Illinois University.

Emily’s contributions played an essential role in the success of a recent international science meeting with over 8,000 attendees. Her commitment to excellence in customer service is evident in her daily interactions and problem solving skills. Emily’s skills include meeting logistics, partner relations, and Spanish fluency, making her an...

Emily’s contributions played an essential role in the success of a recent international science meeting with over 8,000 attendees. Her commitment to excellence in customer service is evident in her daily interactions and problem solving skills. Emily’s skills include meeting logistics, partner relations, and Spanish fluency, making her an invaluable member of the team with a wide range of abilities.

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Trisha Larson supports AMPED President/CEO Lynda Patterson, while also handling various tasks for the rest of the AMPED team. She provides administrative assistance and maintains a level of organization essential to the success of the office. She enjoys learning about each of our clients by assisting with various client-related tasks as...

Trisha Larson supports AMPED President/CEO Lynda Patterson, while also handling various tasks for the rest of the AMPED team. She provides administrative assistance and maintains a level of organization essential to the success of the office. She enjoys learning about each of our clients by assisting with various client-related tasks as delegated. Trisha has a degree in meeting and event management and more than ten years’ experience in customer service, management, and event coordination.

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Marechiel Santos-Lang has experience providing leadership and program management for national and international medical, trade and scientific associations. In 2010, she was named one of InBusiness magazine’s Forty under Forty List of Emerging Leaders. She is one of  twelve American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Diversity Executive...

Marechiel Santos-Lang has experience providing leadership and program management for national and international medical, trade and scientific associations. In 2010, she was named one of InBusiness magazine’s Forty under Forty List of Emerging Leaders. She is one of  twelve American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Diversity Executive Leadership Program (DELP) Class of 2015-2017 scholars. DELP is a prestigious two-year program that recognizes individuals from under-represented identity groups who demonstrate exemplary leadership skills and a commitment to advancing the association community. DELP scholars participate in an accelerated leadership program of education, mentoring, and volunteer service in the association community. At AMPED Marechiel serves as the associate director for the Americas Committee for Treatment & Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) and executive director of the Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA). 

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Michelle Czosek has more than 20 years of experience managing a variety of professional and trade associations. She has her hands in many areas of association management, including education, event planning, membership and governance. 

Laura Ritchie Portz, MBA, CAE, works with several AMPED clients and industries, overseeing general administration, governance, membership data, meeting planning, marketing and more. A born and bred Badger, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree and MBA from UW-Madison and holds the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential from the...

Laura Ritchie Portz, MBA, CAE, works with several AMPED clients and industries, overseeing general administration, governance, membership data, meeting planning, marketing and more. A born and bred Badger, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree and MBA from UW-Madison and holds the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential from the American Society of Association Executives.

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Kim Striebel is finance manager for AMPED, where she is responsible for all financial reporting, forecasting and budgeting. Working closely with executive staff and volunteer leaders, Kim provides comprehensive and transparent financial management, including detailed income and expense statements.

Kim Siebecker is an experienced association professional who manages the certification program for the Control System Integrators Association. Her professional experience includes government relations and grant management.

Emily Petersen’s attention to detail and efficiency allow her to manage a variety of different services for our clients from membership strategy to meeting planning. Working closely with association leadership, Emily responds to volunteer leader and member requests with finesse and genuine interest in the success of our clients. She finds the...

Emily Petersen’s attention to detail and efficiency allow her to manage a variety of different services for our clients from membership strategy to meeting planning. Working closely with association leadership, Emily responds to volunteer leader and member requests with finesse and genuine interest in the success of our clients. She finds the diversity of AMPED’s clients refreshing and enjoys interacting with them daily. Internally, Emily helps keep AMPED moving by supporting our finance staff and IT partners. She interned with AMPED for nearly four years before graduating from the University of Wisconsin and joining the team full time.

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Brittany Marsala Olson has a passion for being behind the scenes, perfecting the logistics of meetings and events for AMPED's international clients. Through relationship building, she continues to grow meeting attendance and boost sponsorship and exhibit sales.

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