President

Andrea Michaels

• Feline fan, fur mom to Tom and Jerry, Nonna to Cameron and Ethan
• World explorer and finder of all things creative

Winner of over 70 international event awards, Andrea has planned and produced events since 1978. Building her company, Extraordinary Events, into a globally recognized brand has included product launches, consumer events and large-scale public events as well as more intimate and boutique conferences or multi-day incentive trips in the Caribbean, Europe, Asia or Latin America or wherever a plane can fly. Each event is a story-driven experience, designed like a piece of theatre, with an overture, multiple acts and a finale. Andrea is legendary for her firsts, designing theme events when no one even knew what a theme was. Then using lighting and specialty linen, interactive entertainment, theatrical stage productions customized for her clients and now utilizing the latest in technologies to create marketing experiences in the world of live events. Audiences of over 100,000 are not daunting, and meeting challenge is her forte. Her list of clients ranges from presidents and royalty to Fortune 100 companies. But her love is creating events that make a difference in the world, Maybe, that’s a result of her education which was centered on social work and psychology. She is also the published author of “Reflections of a Successful Wallflower: Lessons in Business, Lessons in Life.” among several other books where she guest authored with greats like Deepak Chopra or Jack Canfield. Career, personal life and passions all blend into one world that allows Andrea to move seamlessly from one part of her life to the next. When your life is about creativity everywhere it exists is where you’ll find Andrea – Broadway, on safari in Africa, or in downtown Los Angeles helping young women learn to make a difference in their communities. Andrea is passionate about mentoring young people as well as anyone in the industry that wants to learn about business. She is a woman driven to change the world in whatever way she can through the medium of live events.

CFO

Brad Dawson

• Brad loves to come off like Yosemite Sam, but he has a tender and generous heart
• His first job was delivering papers

One would never guess that he is an orchid whisperer and an avid cinematic critic with a deep love of movies and theatrical productions, but he is. CPA, bean counter, and keeper of all things financial for the company, Brad brings over 36 years of experience to his work with EE. Earning his degree in Accounting in 1974, Brad became a partner in a local accounting firm before leaving to start his own business. Somewhere along that pathway he became a solid fixture in the DNA that is EE. Brad is the one that keeps the checks and balances all making sense. He will tell you that he has no creativity – we say, that’s a good thing when it comes to finances. We love Brad and rely heavily on his knowledge, accuracy and eye for detail to keep us adding check marks to the win column.

Manager, Business Development

Brittany S. Friedman

• Lover of all things sea otter— avid wildlife foundation supporter.
• Can binge watch a Netflix series in a day.

Brittany is a corporate events guru who has worked for top-level brands including Hilton Worldwide, Marriott International, and most recently, Malibu-based, Calamigos Ranch— a southern California destination for large corporate functions and high-profile social events. Her career began at 22 years of age while selling pool memberships for a boutique hotel in Westlake Village, CA. It was then that she realized she LOVED the art of selling.  In the industry for over seven years, Brittany’s experience and drive for sales has helped shape her successful career and feed her love for event planning and execution. The thrill of providing excellence pushes Brittany to challenge herself to go the extra mile for each and every client. No client is too big or small as long as they have an open mind to planning the perfect event. She is an avid football fan at heart, and when she’s not looking for the next account to sign, she’s traveling around the country (and the world) to the next NFL game. Most recently, she traveled to London, England to watch the Los Angeles Chargers play the Tennessee Titans! Brittany brings that same enthusiasm and passion for events to the Extraordinary Events team.

Producer

Brittany Mazal

• Country music fanatic and beach bum at heart
• Can beat anyone in a game of H-O-R-S-E

After being named Valedictorian at San Diego State University, joining the EE team was Brittany’s first goal upon graduation. With a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management with an Emphasis in Meetings and Events and vast industry experience to back her education, Brittany took her talents and passion to the production team here at EE. Bringing an idea to life while bringing joy to the hearts of all those she is able to touch along the way was the underlying reason that she was drawn to the event industry. Most would describe her as a steadfast, determined, can-do, go-getter with the ability to liven up the room with her aura of positivity. With extensive leadership involvement in organizations like the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality, Brittany continues to give back to her surrounding community while making a difference in the best way she knows how. A travel junkie, retired basketball star and wannabe surfer chick, her unique mix of determination and fun brings an x-factor to the EE team. Brittany’s eye for creativity and ability to challenge the status quo will allow her to continuously produce events nothing short of extraordinary!

Social Media Manager and Executive Assistant

Danielle Michaels

• She is a chocolate-anything fan
• She has a 24K smile that lights up a room with a laugh to match

Starting out as a receptionist in the aerospace industry as her first job, Danielle might have ended up on the moon. Instead, we at EE are happy to have her as a part of our administrative and marketing teams. With an affinity for organization, sharp wit and a natural talent for communications, she is a fun and valuable part of the EE team. She is resourceful and also brings her eye of creativity and design to the company’s social media management. When she isn’t working or being a taxi-mom for two very active sons, you can find her taking a hike or out in nature enjoying a drive on a long, windy road listening to country music. Danielle also finds time to give back by volunteering her time at Our House Grief Support Center for families, and Operation Gratitude, a non-profit organization that sends Care Packages filled with entertainment, hygiene, handmade items, non-perishable snacks, and personal letters of appreciation to U.S. Troops, First Responders, Veterans, Military Families, and Wounded Heroes and their Care Givers.

Director of Production Services

Flo Miniscloux

• Avid SpaceX geek and amateur futurist
• Prima Ballerina who can dance on the floor or the ceiling

With a curious mind for exploration and figuring out solutions matched with artistic capability, Flo brings great depth to the team at Extraordinary Events. She is a powerhouse in technology and design. Bringing that talent to the arena of live event production, Flo easily found her niche and a passion for bringing creative vision to life with an artistic touch. She has received national recognition for her production and coordination talents receiving Event Solutions’ ‘Rising Star’ Spotlight Award and being and named “Top 25 Young Event Pros to Watch” by Special Events Magazine. Because of the flexible approach to each project she takes on combined with an impeccable work ethic, Flo has developed a large repertoire of experience with several of EE’s top Fortune 500 clients. She has handled many different event types including celebrations for 50,000, high-end product launches, international multiple day incentive trips and complex citywide conventions. She has also worked with many high-profile people including Steven Spielberg, Hillary Clinton, and the Dalai Lama. As a native Parisian and true bilingual citizen of the world with immediate family in Asia, Europe and North America, Flo keeps up with cultural trends throughout the world and brings a touch of international flavor to the programs she produces. She is passionate about dance, technology, science and the future. It would not surprise us one bit if one day Flo was a volunteer astronaut on a SpaceX rocket.

Vice President, Client Strategy

Jenna Linnekens

• Enjoys hiking in climates with no snakes.
• Loves Yogahop which is yoga done to hip hop and Top 40’s music

Take 20 years of corporate event planning experience and couple it with a background in journalism and live television production and it will result in a unique perspective in which to create live experiences. Jenna’s expertise lies in both content driven programming with specific business objectives for award recognition programs and business meetings that inspire and motivate participants. Coupled with a “customer comes first” mentality and matched with a dynamic style and capable personality, she builds the confidence that clients need and trust. Her personal involvement and relationship with each client has paved the way to her success with clients returning year after year. Not only interested in career, Jenna has also been actively involved in her local community as a Board Member and Committee Chair. She is a support group leader with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) and is involved in Kawasaki Disease Foundation Race for a Cure and the Upward Bound House to help homeless families in Los Angeles receive the help and support they need. With an eye on what’s most important to her, Jenna loves being a mom and spending plenty of quality time with her family on adventures that both educate and build the memories that will last a lifetime.

CEO

Margaret Launzel-Pennes

• Rescues old furniture from untimely deaths on the sides of the road all over Los Angeles – and then creatively and colorfully restores them
• Can’t think of anything more fun than a sleepover with her 2 1/2-year-old granddaughter, Eden

With her breadth and scope of experience, deep industry knowledge, and passion for the events and experiential sector, Margaret adds a new repertoire to Extraordinary Events. She is a strategic and accomplished event and experiential professional with more than 25 years of global experience in all aspects of strategic events including meetings, conferences, tradeshows, programming, content development, proprietary events, incentives, special events, festivals, pop-ups, and live, large-scale production. Margaret was previously head of experiential for Beautycon and has held leadership positions at C2, PTTOW!, Cabi, and Herbalife. She has also managed large scale conferences and tradeshows for the industry’s largest organizers.

Office Manager

Meg Bray

• Loves cake. Lots and lots of cake
• She is passionate about fashion and motherhood

With a degree in Business Management, Meg is the gatekeeper for Andrea Michaels and the office manager at Extraordinary Events. With Meg’s smile, cheery voice and happy nature, the offices have an endlessly welcoming environment. Girl Friday is the best way to describe Meg. From organizing calendars to preparing contracts, invoices, and making travel arrangements, Meg knows a little about an awful lot and is integral to the success of the team. She also has a wicked sweet tooth, but don’t say we told you. When she’s not working you’ll find her with her son and husband out and about enjoying the town and exploring bookstores and coffee shops. She is involved with Oasis L.A. Outreach programs working with RFK Schools and South L.A. Children’s Institute Outreach.  

Regional Director Of Business Development

Rick Turner

• If he could change the world, he would lower the volume on everything. People are too fast paced and immersed in too much information.
• Guilty pleasure: Shoes, shoes and more shoes!

Rick Turner, a 19-year veteran of the Hospitality, Culinary and Special Events industries, brings a new brand presence to the Midwest and East Coast for Extraordinary Events. A people person and a consummate sales professional, Rick enjoys the thrill of the chase. He is committed to offering the Midwest region a new option for creative live and experiential events. Armed with an eye for providing innovative solutions and a fearless never quit attitude Rick is opening doors to new business for EE. He is active in the industry and very involved with a number of civic and industry associations, including the ILEA and the SEARCH Foundation where he serves as its Immediate Past Chair. He also recently served consecutive two-year terms as President of the Cleveland Chapter of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI). He is also a graduate of the Pennsylvania Institute of Culinary Arts. When he’s not working you will find him in his happy place hanging out on a beach in Mexico, inviting people over for a cook-out or headed on an adventure with his eleven-year old son, Owen.

General Manager

Ruth Moyte

• Loves roaming the Wyoming prairie on a horse named Rooster
• Drove in Ireland and survived!

Ruth Moyte is an award-winning event professional, copywriter and industry speaker with over 25 years of experience in the global event and marketing industry, writing for and producing events for many of the world’s leading brands. Moyte worked as Vice President of Production and Business Development for Extraordinary Events for 17 years prior to 2009 before returning as an executive consultant in early 2016. Her expertise in events range from concept and strategy to design, production, team management, scripting and content development, show production and onsite activation of projects. As a recognized industry leader, Ruth was named Event Planner of the Year by Event Solutions. With a passion for communication and live experiences, Ruth brings a special perspective to every project she takes on.

Senior Producer

Taylor Black

• Guitar Junkie and Connoisseur of All Things Sonic
• Kind-Hearted Social Justice Advocate

Taylor Black has over 25 years of experience in the Entertainment & Event Production Industry and has proven himself to be an expert at producing and executing complex programs. With knowledge of computer-aided design (CAD), Taylor’s background also includes commercial and corporate interior design, where he spent time designing interiors and office layouts, as well as overseeing on-site installations. Carrying over his talent to events, his extensive knowledge and experience in all things logistical allows him to excel in both complicated and large-scale event design and budgeting. Taylor has worked around the world producing award-winning events including public festivals, retail outlet grand openings, fashion shows, award ceremonies and international media launches including several multi-city tours for automotive clients. He has extensive knowledge of the music industry and has produced a multitude of headlining artists for both public and private events. When Taylor isn’t busy juggling multiple events and home improvement projects, he enjoys live music, playing his guitar, hiking or taking in the ocean from Malibu Pier. He also enjoys helping the homeless through a variety of different projects and organizations.