Mike co-founded GEP Philly in January, 2002. His 35 years of extensive hospitality industry experience includes senior level positions with some of the industry’s best known names: McGettigan Partners (now Maritz); Carlson Wagonlit Travel; EGR International; and Rosenbluth Travel (now American Express). Mike currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCVB), as well as its Marketing and Membership committees, and on the Board of the Philadelphia Chapter of Meeting Professionals International (MPI). He is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism and Marketing Corporation. Mike graduated from the University of Notre Dame and is a professional actor and model in his spare time with numerous credits in films, TV, commercials, and QVC – the home shopping network - with more than 300 appearances. He resides in suburban Philadelphia with his wife Lorie. They have three children - Michael Jr., Erin Oosthuizen and Aimee - and are proud grandparents of Ella and Caitlin Oosthuizen

Molly brings 15 years of management, sales, marketing, and hospitality experience to GEP Philly.  Directly prior to joining the team, she was the Director of Public Relations at the Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia.  Before that, Molly was involved in sales, catering, and event management at the Ritz since its opening in 2000. Before that, she owned and operated a boutique floral, décor, and event consultation business and her experience is rounded out by many years in the food service business, primarily in restaurants and off-premises catering operations.  She has a B.A. in Communications from Temple University. Molly has two young daughters and still doesn’t know how to speak French. She hails from Paoli, PA.

Lauren is responsible for managing the development of customer proposals, event design and supplier sourcing. She brings eight years of event experience to the company including work in Public Relations and Event Planning in Boston, MA, Rochester, NY and Hamilton, NJ. A graduate of Dickinson College, Lauren holds a Professional Certificate in Event Management from The George Washington University in Washington, DC and is completing the Event Leadership Executive Certificate Program at Temple University School of Tourism and Hospitality Management. Lauren currently serves on the Board of Directors for ISES (International Special Events Society) as their Vice President of Communications for the Greater Philadelphia Chapter. Originally from Bucks County, PA Lauren currently lives in center city Philadelphia with her fiance Milton where she is struggling to learn Spanish, loves the city and all its great restaurants and spends time with friends and family.

Lauren joined GEP Philly in 2005 and in her role as Senior Operations Manager she is responsible for overseeing all GEP Philly programs as well as managing events of her own. Prior to joining GEP Philly, Lauren worked at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA) where she served as Event Manager. Lauren has also worked at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Gracie Mansion Conservancy in New York City under Mayor Giuliani and Mayor Bloomberg. Lauren is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Lafayette College, with a BA in Art History and has completed the Certificate in Meeting Planning from Temple University.  Lauren (or “Poodle” as she is affectionately known in an office with 2 Laurens) enjoys spending time in Center City Philadelphia with friends, traveling to new destinations, and loves to visit her family in Northern New Jersey or at the beach in Long Island, New York.

Kate manages the GEP Philly office at The Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. In this role, Kate is responsible for coordinating the GEP Philly/Marriott relationship and working with the Marriott sales team, using her extensive GEP operations experience, to assist in the development of customer programs both in and out of the hotel. Before joining GEP Philly in March of 2005, Kate worked for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation as a Special Events Coordinator. Kate holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bloomsburg University and has completed the Certificate in Meeting Planning from Temple University. On the weekends Kate can be found at home in South Philadelphia or relaxing by the beach in Delaware, all while cheering on Philadelphia sports teams and planning her next travel adventure. Kate is devoted to her close-knit family, enjoys time with her friends, and can usually be found laughing.

Leah brings over 8 years of experience to the GEP Philly team. Leah most recently served as Facility Rental Manager for the Independence Visitor Center managing sales and execution of all special events. Prior to that she served as Manager of Special Events & Public Relations for WOMENS WAY. She has also served as Opening Celebration Coordinator for the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and as Project Assistant for Millennium Philadelphia. Leah holds a B.S. in Tourism Planning & Development from the University of New Hampshire. When she’s not operating events, Leah enjoys traveling, cheering on the Phillies and spending time with her two cats Leroy and Roxie and husband Ted at home in Cherry Hill, NJ.

Jason brings over ten years of destination management experience to the company.  Most of his background has been in Operations, where he managed a wide arrange of programs in the Philadelphia area.  His expertise in transportation makes him the perfect fit in his new role.  Jason graduated from La Salle University with a B.A. in Communication/Public Relations and a B.A. in English.  In his spare time, Jason enjoys exploring the city, live music, Phillies baseball and Flyers hockey.  He currently resides in Bucks County, PA.

Tricia is the Finance & Administration Manager for GEP Philly.  Previously, Tricia worked in television production in the research and casting department for Trading Spaces Family and as associate producer of Whose Wedding is it Anyway. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from LaSalle University with a B.A. in Communications and has received a certificate in Meeting Planning from Temple University.  In her spare time, Tricia enjoys spending time outdoors with her boyfriend and German Shepherd dog named DeNiro.  She likes having BBQ’s with friends and family down by the NJ Shore during the summer.