Meet our innovative and enthusiastic team of professionals who will transform your ideas and goals into a successful event.

Laura Kesselman, President, stopped apologizing long ago for not having a hobby, because, she doesn’t just like her job, she loves it.  This passion and commitment can be seen in every aspect of Kesselman-Jones, Inc., the conference management company she formed in 1992, and in Dotted i Productions, her newest venture.   Although both companies provide similar services, Kesselman-Jones’ benevolent company vision of Improving Lives One Conference at a Time targets its work to human services projects, echoing Laura’s personal commitment to her community.  Laura’s energies are split among serving as chief strategist for her companies’ clients, mentoring her staff and managing business operations.  Her commitment to continuous improvement for her clients and companies is evident as she guided her team to become one of the smallest firms to apply for and successfully become a New Mexico Quality Awards Piñon recognition recipient. Laura graduated from Syracuse University, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication with a bachelor of science degree in advertising.  She studied for a year in London through Syracuse and for two years on the University of Maryland campus in Munich, Germany. To this day she prioritizes international travel when choosing leisure-time activities.  Laura began her communication’s career in Los Angeles at the prestigious PR firm, Ruder, Finn & Rotman and went on to work in the entertainment and interior design industries. Her work in public relations and marketing has been recognized by the Public Relations Society of America and the New Mexico Advertising Federation, including the Federation’s coveted “Marketer of the Year” award for a campaign to reduce the stigma faced by children with mental health issues. Laura has twice been named an Ambassador by the Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau for her “outstanding service in bringing conventions to Albuquerque” and now serves on their Board of Directors.  Deemed a “Women of Influence” by New Mexico Business Weekly, Laura is resolute in her commitment to serve as a role model for small business and the conference and events management industry. Certified in infant and adult CPR.

Mandy Allison, Marketing Manager/New Business, brings a vast and well-rounded event perspective to Kesselman-Jones, Inc. In 1994, she started her career as a marketing coordinator/meeting planner in Monterey, California for the second largest professional liability insurance company, facilitating educational programs for architects throughout the U.S. During the dot com boom, she was a team-building facilitator for companies including Cisco-Systems, Oracle, Hewlett-Packard and Lufthansa. While in Monterey she managed Adventures-by-the-Sea, Inc. and generated her first million dollars in revenue within a ten-month period; her favorite project featured the Beach Boys playing to a private party for the Navarre Corporation on the beach! This success ultimately launched her entry point into the hotel industry, where she has worked in all market segments. Her hotel career has spanned from San Francisco, California to Asheville, North Carolina, serving as a Director of Sales for Marriott, Sheraton and Hilton products. Mandy’s down-home personality and strong work drive reflects through her southern roots and the pioneering spirit of the west coast. Currently, she attends class at Central New Mexico Community College, where is she working on a degree in Special Education.

Tabatha Bennett, Event Manager, is an assiduous member of the Kesselman-Jones, Inc. team.  Recently nominated for the Albuquerque Professional Businesswomen Young Professional Award, Tabatha demonstrates leadership through community service and dedication to continued improvement in her work.  She earns a positive reputation with her clients, including the New Mexico PreK program, the Global Implementation Conference and the Border Governors Conference – Interim Meeting, by accomplishing event goals and working diligently to ensure success.  She is a member of the New Mexico chapter of Meeting Professionals International and holds a bachelor of university studies degree from the University of New Mexico with emphases in theater education, photography and communication & journalism. Her photographs have been published nationally; she is also a published author with work on various public relations topics in journals and, most notably, The Encyclopedia of Business Ethics.  Tabatha enjoys participating in community service and volunteers weekly at the Animal Humane Association of New Mexico.  Certified in infant and adult CPR.

Barbara Clark joins Kesselman-Jones as the Human Resources/Office Manager.  Her tenure at the third largest staffing company in San Jose, California provided invaluable experience in a dynamic and demanding market that poised her return to the southwest to open ADIA Personnel Staffing franchise in Albuquerque.  She was the project manager for Media Copy (El Paso, TX)  for the Jesus Video/Film Project, Alliance Atlantis, Canada  “Lord of the Rings” DVD series and MGM studios for distribution in such retailers as Best Buy and  Wal-Mart.  Her latest position was as a contingent worker for all new hires and rehires at Intel-Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Her varied background provides the managerial leadership to lead the growing staff of Kesselman-Jones.  Certified in Adult CPR and holds an OSHA 10.

Angela Hazelet, Client Care Specialist, brings over 17 years of professional experience to Kesselman-Jones, Inc., including work in office management, customer service, sales and computer operations in industries such as education, broadcast media and software.  Angela is pursuing her Associate’s degree in Computer Information Systems, with a concentration in Multimedia, at Central New Mexico College, where she has been honored on both the Dean’s List and the President’s List.  She also volunteers as a Hospitality staff member for the largest place of worship in New Mexico, Calvary of Albuquerque, and also volunteers for the St. Vincent De Paul organization in food distribution.  Angela’s goal is to provide excellent customer service, while coming alongside the Kesselman-Jones, Inc. team in helping the company to continue to grow and succeed.

Jenny McMath, Event Manager, has returned to Kesselman-Jones, Inc. after a brief hiatus. During her time with Kesselman-Jones, Inc., she was the lead on numerous major events including the Head to Toe Conference on School Health, the PreK Institute and the International Drug Policy Reform Conference.  Prior to joining Kesselman-Jones, Inc., Jenny traveled the United States as a restaurant manager for Brinker International and Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant Group. While with Brinker International, she was a part of a six restaurant manager team sent to struggling locations to enhance overall business. She was the director of training for Wild Noodles Franchise Corporation, where she was responsible for 20 franchised restaurants, overseeing day-to-day operations, menu expansion, staff training, P&L adherence and company-wide procurement.   A graduate of the University of North Texas, Jenny has a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in entrepreneurship and strategic planning. While away from Kesselman-Jones, Inc., Jenny earned multiple fitness related certifications and managed a large team of personal trainers at New Mexico Sports and Wellness.  She will apply her extensive knowledge of wellness and physical fitness methodologies not only to the development of positive learning environments for our clients, but to improving Kesselman-Jones, Inc.’s own wellness plan. Certified in AED and adult CPR.

Olivia Medina, Registration Manager, is a native of New Mexico born and raised in the small town of Taos.  She began her journey into bookkeeping/accounting at a small construction company where she took over for her predecessor and only had one week to learn everything she could about bookkeeping before she was left to figure it out on her own.  Since then she has provided office management/bookkeeping for several companies ranging from construction to real estate to retail stores.  She is currently taking a break from attending night classes at CNM to focus on spending time with her children, but hopes to return soon and eventually earn her degree in Accounting. 

Allison Olguin, Event Assistant, is a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Allison’s passions for events and service started before she completed her degree at New Mexico State University. With an emphasis in Hospitality and Tourism Management she gained diverse experiences in promotions and event management.  She acted as promotions director for KRUX radio station where she increased listenership as well as co-produced KRUX Fest a Las Cruces Music Festival, she worked in the food and beverage department for the Department of Defense at the Great Lakes Naval Station in Illinois where she managed events like The Army Soldier Show, a traveling musical put on by men and women of the United States Army and the Command Ceremony for the United States Navy.  Allison also served in membership and development for the Albuquerque Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.  As a student senator she shaped the restructuring of the College of Education Council.  Allison left Los Poblanos Inn and Cultural Center to join the Kesselman-Jones, Inc. team where she hopes to deepen her commitment to serving the community in a career she has tremendous passion for.  When she is not working on events she enjoys working with children and is a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters.  Certified in infant and adult CPR.

Terri Ruegger, Accountant, comes to the organization with a vast and varied background.  She has performed accounting duties at CEMCO, Inc. a manufacturing company in Belen; the State of New Mexico – Crime Victims Reparation Commission; the New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence; and within the aerospace industry at Goodrich Aerospace. In addition, she was the human resources administrator at Crime Victims Reparation Commission and prior to working for the State of New Mexico, at S.A.F.E. House – the shelter from domestic violence in Albuquerque.  Terri has also served on the board of directors for S.A.F.E. House as the treasurer and co-chaired the personnel committee. Terri graduated summa cum laude from the College of Santa Fe where she majored in Accounting and Business Administration. Certified in infant and adult CPR.