Carol Galle, CMP
President & CEO

• Founded Special D Events in 1992
• Left her heart in New York City
• Once gave the shirt off her back to a client (literally)
• Former film critic
• Dresses her dog in a Halloween costume
• Knows her passport number by heart
• Is on the board of Hostelling International
• Is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)
• Steals pens
• Collects pink elephants because, if they exist, then anything is possible

Mike Galle
Creative Director & Executive Producer

• Has worked with everyone from Boy Scouts to Bill Ford to the Archbishop Desmond Tutu
• Hopwood award winner
• Sneaks candy from the office candy bowl when his wife isn’t looking
• Formerly ranked in the Western Tennis Association
• Studied creative writing with author Joyce Carol Oates
• Believes Bob Dylan is the greatest songwriter of all time
• Proud PTSA Council president
• Is resident expert on the latest audio/visual technology
• Taught English and dug latrines in Africa with Peace Corps

Tina Jackman
Meeting & Event Planner

• Grade school spelling bee champion
• Expert at technical meetings and tradeshows
• Spoils niece rotten
• Played trumpet at Montreaux Jazz Fest
• Believes she has the best clients
• Is a morning person
• Once rented poodles for a dog-loving client’s retirement
• Bakes amazing pumpkin bread
• Believes life isn’t worth living without music – any music

Lindsay Krause
Meeting & Event Planner

• Developed an event countdown/task list for the birth of her second child
• Helped launch Detroit public relations agency
• Closet fan of Big Brother TV show
• Creative genius
• Plans vacations around visits to microbreweries
• Is a meeting and event chameleon – can jump in to any situation and get right to work
• Has the most organized CD collection of anyone we know
• Is former client of Special D Events

Katie Ridderbos
Office Manager

• Is a whiz at on-line registration
• Thinks dogs and cats rule
• Keeps entire office running like clockwork
• Has a crush on Wentworth Miller
• Went to high school with Derek Jeter
• Loves to canoe, hike, ski and generally prefers living outdoors
• Possibly the Beastie Boys’ number one fan

Judi Ammar
Freelance Meeting & Event Planner

• Rescued child from burning building while on the job for Special D Events (but didn’t get a raise)
• Mom to four children
• Was a surrogate mother for a friend
• Wins our prize for the most international event management experience
• Toured on the Auto Show circuit
• Performs in regional theatre
• Sews custom wedding gowns
• Jumped out of a plane to celebrate a milestone birthday
• Rode an elephant on a safari in Thailand
• Is an advanced certified S.C.U.B.A. diver

Sharon McMurray, APR
Communications Strategist

• Married her high school sweetheart (but only because Bob Seger was taken)
• Former Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications for Comerica
• Chair of Common Ground Sanctuary, a 24-hour crisis intervention and prevention agency
• Certified Beachmaster, responsible for making sure no one moves the beach while husband is scuba diving
• Graduate of the Greater Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce Leadership Detroit program
• Proud mom of two Australian Shepherds, but she does not dress them in costume

Jennifer Riggs
Meeting & Event Planner

• Can create a database or assemble a trade show booth in record time
• Doesn’t eat red meat, but makes a mean turkey meatloaf
• Is known for obsessively organized closets
• Named her daughter after her grandmother (Grace)
• Is the only one in the office who takes time to say good morning to every person, every day
• Expert trade show consultant

Denise Rondo, CMP
Meeting & Event Planner

• Drives a Kia Rondo (Rondo, get it?)
• Was a successful human resources manager in her past life
• Once invited Motley Crue’s Tommy Lee over for supper
• Is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)
• Is a two time mom (Danielle and Kevin)
• Really wants Special D Events to open a Southern California office
• Can manage a food and beverage budget like no one else

Molly Hawkins
Meeting and Event Planner

• Met Special D Events' president during a national emergency
• Loves to organize and be organized
• Mother of two boys (Sean and Chase)
• Obsessive about animal print
• Can't get enough of the Bravo channel
• Gwen Stefani fan

• Thinks Caesar Milan is overrated
• Prefers chicken to beef
• Big fan of the mail carrier, but not so sure about the FedEx guy
• Has identity issues (unsure if he is a Daschund or a Maltese)
• Constantly seeks out new ways to appear cute and treat-worthy