Team Member Bios

KAYE SPARKS, CMM
VICE PRESIDENT
KSparks@helmsbriscoe.com

Kaye is responsible for the day-to-day operation of HelmsBriscoe ResourceOne’s full meeting management division. Kaye’s role includes leadership of the HBR1 team, strategic development and execution of sales and marketing strategies, new business development, relationship building with internal and external Clients, solidifying brand identity and managing HBR1’s Preferred Vendor program. Kaye joined HBR1 in 2001. Prior to joining HBR1, Kaye was the Director of Global Events for Nortel Networks and has 33 years of experience in the event industry. Kaye and her team managed events ranging from 100 to 5,000 plus attendees including sales conferences, association conferences, product launches, incentive trips, hospitality events, tradeshows, and road shows. Kaye has managed such prestigious events as: Palm Springs International Film Festival, Master’s Golf Tournaments, PGA golf tournaments, US Open, Olympics, Super Bowl, Indy 500 and Formula One racing events globally. Kaye attended University of Houston Victoria and Texas Tech University and is based in Dallas, Texas.

LAURA BAESEL
LAURA BAESEL, SENIOR DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS
LBaesel@helmsbriscoe.com

Laura joined HelmsBriscoe ResourceOne in 2003. After two years of operating programs with HBR1, Laura moved into a sales role, managing all HB territories and a number of Clients over the course of the following 5 years. In addition to managing her Clients, she is now enjoying being the Director of Operations handling training, contracts, financials and managing the overall structure for the HBR1 team. Laura began her meeting planning career in Southern California in 1994. Working in the Sales & Marketing department for Canon USA, Inc. she managed large-scale events such as national sales meetings, kick-offs, incentive trips, dealer non-disclosures, tradeshows, trainings, celebrity golf tournaments and charity fundraisers. After a move with her husband to Dallas, Texas, Laura joined the Texas District of Merrill Lynch. She managed approximately 40 events per year including high-end sales incentive trips, trainings, seminars, senior management road shows, and Client hospitality events. As a Program Director for HelmsBriscoe ResourceOne, Laura worked with a host of Clients ranging from associations to Fortune 500 corporations. Event types she managed included tradeshows, cruises, association conferences, sales kick-offs, multi-city webcasts, and incentive trips (both domestic and international). Laura holds a BA in Political Science from Biola University and is based in Dallas, Texas.

KAY BURKE
CMP, CMM, DIRECTOR, GLOBAL SALES
KBURKE@helmsbriscoe.com

Kay joined HelmsBriscoe ResourceOne as a Director, Global Sales in 2012. With 25+ years in the event industry, Kay’s experience and enthusiasm for excellent event design and customer service enhances the remarkable team of professionals associated with the HBR1 organization.

Prior to HBR1, Kay spent nine years with JCPenney directing company initiatives for events such as store manager conferences, incentive programs, analyst and board of directors meetings and trade shows ranging in attendance up to 5,000. Allow with a staff of ten, she managed meeting and events held within the 70,000 sq. ft. of function space at the JCPenney corporate office. While working with Sprint, RIA Thomson Reuters and Pearle Vision, Kay was the program director for major golf tournaments, national tradeshows, medical continuing education programs and national franchise conferences giving her a vast range of expertise. Kay is actively involved in philanthropic efforts where she offers her experience in fundraising and has served on the board of various nonprofit organizations. She is based in Dallas, Texas.

TRACY MCCALLAN
DIRECTOR, GLOBAL SALES
tmccallan@helmsbriscoe.com

Tracy McCallan joined HelmsBriscoe ResourceOne in 2014 as a Program Director, and has since transitioned into sales. She brings extensive project management and marketing experience to the team, and is responsible for planning and executing meetings, from concept to completion. Tracy’s marketing background provides her an understanding of the importance of building strong client relationships in order to strategically plan and develop the identity and impression of events. She has worked as both a supplier and planner, and has successfully organized and managed domestic and international programs ranging from 10 to 1,000 attendees.

Tracy holds an MBA in Management from the University of Texas at Arlington. She has spent the majority of her career working on brand development and strategy with a focus on tradeshows and event management. Tracy currently resides in Dallas, Texas.

CORINNE CONNOR
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
cconnor@helmsbriscoe.com

Corinne is responsible for planning and executing corporate meetings for HelmsBriscoe ResourceOne. This includes full service meeting management from conception and development of conferences and incentives to the onsite operations. Corinne began her meeting career with HelmsBriscoe ResourceOne in 2008 and has enjoyed both planning meetings as well as sales support in driving new business to HBR1.

With over 20 years of meeting management experience, Corinne has an extensive background in all aspects of logistical planning for sales conferences, domestic and international incentive programs, tradeshows, sporting events, high-end client hospitality and corporate conferences. Planning meetings for a wide range of Clients from associations to Fortune 500 firms, has allowed for extensive experience covering a variety of different industries and different caliber programs. She is recognized for her attention to detail, creative elements, calm demeanor, client focus and organization. She has extensive international meeting and event experience throughout Europe, South America, Asia, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. She is an active member with Site having served on the Board of Directors for 4 years, and proudly served as the 2010 President of Site Southeast winning Chapter of the Year! Corinne holds a BS in Marketing from Clemson University and is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

TRACI HAMMOND
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
THammond@helmsbriscoe.com

Traci joined the ResourceOne team in 2003 as a Program Director and manages comprehensive incentive programs for some of the company’s largest accounts. She also manages several high-profile conferences and sales meetings both domestically and abroad. Traci’s 25+ years of experience coupled with her creative and enthusiastic approach to the business has led to a high retention level with her existing Clients.

Traci began her career in 1989 in the banking industry as a Media Specialist at Bank of Boston and a Public Relations and Events Manager at Fleet Bank. Traci’s responsibilities included media relations support to the banks’ corporate and global banking units and providing event management for a number of the bank’s corporate-sponsored events. In 1994, Traci made the switch from the corporate arena to the agency world and was named Director of Event Marketing and Public Relations at Trinity Communications, a Boston-based public relations, event marketing and advertising firm. In addition to managing a staff of six, she directed public relations campaigns and managed major sporting events and cultural sponsorships around the country. Events included the 1999 Ryder Cup, The Phoenix Open, The Chinatown Moon Festival, the L.A. Civic Arts Plaza and the Dallas Cowboy’s Training Camp. She also planned corporate incentive trips for a variety of financial services companies. In 2000, Traci, along with her husband and son, relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina. Traci holds a BA in Communications from the Pennsylvania State University.

TRACEY IRELAND
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
TIreland@helmsbriscoe.com

Tracey has been planning and managing events since 1986 and is trained in all aspects of corporate meetings, event and tradeshows. Prior to joining HBR1, Tracey held Sr. Manager and Director of Events roles at several major corporations including MCI Telecommunications, Manheim Auto Auctions (a division of Cox Enterprises), and First Data. Additionally, she was Director of Operations for a top destination management company in Hawai’i where she was responsible for the management and Execution of group transportation, activities, off-site events and production for corporate incentive trips.

Tracey has managed events globally ranging from 10 person executive retreats to 5500 person sales kick-offs and large corporate shows. She has also managed trade shows, sponsorships, incentive trips, special events, as well as key customer focused events and meetings including Leadership Summits, Client Advisory Boards, Super Bowl, Master’s, MLB All-Star Game, Olympics, Kentucky Derby and multiple PGA tournaments. Tracey attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania, graduating with a BS in Communications. She is a member of MPI, GBTA and a founding member of SITE Southeast. Tracey earned her designation as a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) in 1999. She resides in Canton, Georgia.

PAMELA MARTIN
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
pmartin@helmsbriscoe.com

Pam Martin joined HelmsBriscoe ResourceOne in 2009 as a means to apply her interest and experience for developing, planning and implementing all aspects of meeting management for a variety of different Client needs. Pam believes in building strong team relationships with Clients to understand the objectives and goals for their event, and dedicates her energy and passion to creating and managing all the details to achieve a successful program.

Pam received her BS in education from the University of Connecticut and started her career as a teacher, then writer and editor for Redbook magazine before becoming involved in the meetings industry. For over 15 years she managed her own meeting planning company, specializing in the operational elements of events that ranged from training meetings to incentive travel. She effectively produced training institutes, employee and customer incentives, leadership conferences, and annual meetings and that included keynotes, multi-track educational sessions, exhibits, activities and special events for a wide base of Clients, both corporate and association. She has experience with both domestic and international events. Pam is a long-time active member of Meeting Professionals International where she has served on the Board of Directors for the WestField Chapter for more than 10 years. She is based in Fairfield, Connecticut.

AMY MARTINI
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
AMartini@helmsbriscoe.com

With over 20 years of event planning and management experience, Amy has an extensive background in all aspects of program management for sales conferences, corporate, trade show and association conferences.

Amy is responsible for planning and executing meetings from conception and development through to onsite operations and post reconciliation. She has planned meetings for a wide range of Clients from associations to Fortune 500 firms covering a variety of different businesses. Her creativity, professionalism and enthusiasm for event management are contagious and have led to a high retention level with her Clients. Amy holds a BA in Communications from North Carolina State University and is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

KAREN MCCALLSON
CMP, CMM, Certified Digital Event Specialist
SALES & PROGRAM DIRECTOR
kmccallson@helmsbriscoe.com

Based in Atlantic Beach, Florida, Karen McCallson has more than 35 years of wide-ranging experience in designing and executing meetings, conferences, special events, and incentives for corporations, associations and charitable organizations. She has experience working with Merrill Lynch, PHH Corporation, and several non-profit associations, including the American Institute of Architects, Producers Council of Florida, Associated General Contractors, and many others. Her background as Vice President of Event Management, Public Relations and Corporate Philanthropy also enables Karen to fully understand the value of identity, branding and the unique impression required of each event and program. With these skill sets, Karen can quickly identify the needs of HelmsBriscoe ResourceOne’s potential clients.

As Program Director, Karen operates as a seamless extension of her clients’ events teams. She provides select services or full-scale solutions that drive effective outcomes by better understanding what participants want. She also understands how to optimize spend, as well as how to align meeting goals with business objectives, while mitigating risk and gaining efficiencies.  Karen will bring a wealth of talent in conference management and program development to the table, ensuring each meeting and event wows attendees, delivers strategic objectives and maximizes return on investments.

WENDY WILLIS
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
WWillis@helmsbriscoe.com

Wendy Willis has been with Resource One since 2006 and is currently serving as a Program Director. Her twenty-year corporate meeting planning career includes both domestic and international Clients and she has extensive experience in all areas of event management for sales meetings, incentive programs and industry tradeshows. Since working for HelmsBriscoe, she has been able to offer her Clients the special attention and personal time that is not often possible when working under a more conventional corporate structure.

A graduate of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, she began her career with Maritz Travel Company in St. Louis, MO. She currently resides in Las Vegas, where she worked as an account executive for a local DMC as well as serving as the director of sales for two fine dining restaurants. She is very active in the thriving Las Vegas event management industry and is married to an executive chef.

AUBREY TRAN
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
ATran@helmsbriscoe.com

Aubrey Tran joined HelmsBriscoe ResourceOne as a Program Director in 2017. Based out of San Diego, California, and with over 13 years of experience on both the supplier and client side of event management, Aubrey brings an extensive depth of knowledge to this role.

Aubrey began her career in 2004 in the non-profit sector. She planned & managed everything from galas and golf tournaments to nation-wide conventions. Making the transition to the corporate world in 2007, Aubrey’s focus shifted to the management of intimate Board of Director meetings, incentive trips, product launches, vehicle ride & drives, sales meetings, exhibitor management, keynote speakers, and city-wide programs for thousands. Additionally, Aubrey was Manager of Operations at one of Southern California’s top DMCs where she managed a team of 12 while continuing to execute and manage her own book of business. Aubrey holds a BA in Communications from San Diego State University.

NICK VAN STRATT
DIRECTOR, TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
NVanStratt@HelmsBriscoe.com

Since joining HelmsBriscoe ResourceOne in 2010, Nick has been responsible for developing Client event websites and overseeing the management of registration services. This includes call centers, reports, housing management, name badges and on-site registrar staffing.

Nick has been working in the Information Technology Industry since 2000. Starting as a web programmer, he developed numerous websites for the University of Montana and Smurfit-Stone Container Corp, an international corporation. In 2003, Nick took a position with EbixLife, a software company in Park City, Utah where he was quickly rewarded for his leadership skills and dedication to customer service, and promoted to product lead for one of the company’s core software solutions. He holds a BS in Information Systems, Marketing, and Management from the University of Montana, and his MBA from Penn State University. Nick is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

JESSICA HUGHES
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
jessica.hughes@helmsbriscoe.com

Jessica Hughes is a seasoned event planner with more than a decade of experience in the event marketing and meeting management space, including owning her own events management business for eight years. Jessica has hands-on experience with every phase of marketing, planning, and executing an event from inception to completion. Jessica joined HelmsBriscoe ResourceOne with a wide array of experience, including domestic and international corporate meetings, high-end customer events, personal events, incentive trips, tradeshows/roadshows, festivals, and association conferences.

Jessica has a broad scope of event planning knowledge and an advanced enthusiasm to curate stellar client programs. Jessica resides in Dallas, Texas and holds a B.S. in communications from West Chester University and an Event Management Executive Certificate from Temple University.

ERIC BAESEL
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, VIRTUAL EVENTS
EBAESEL@helmsbriscoe.com

Eric Baesel joined HelmsBriscoe ResourceOne as the Technical Director for Virtual Events. Eric is responsible for helping clients produce webcasts and virtual events. Eric works closely with clients at every step of the event planning process to ensure that events are presented in a professional, engaging, and memorable way, while maximizing the client’s return on investment.

With more than 25 years of media production experience, Eric has produced live and virtual events for millions of attendees across a wide array of industries, including fashion, super-computing, healthcare, travel, advocacy groups, security, manufacturing, and financial services. His background in Marketing and Communications helps him understand how to help clients shape and extend their message. He applies a collaborative and results-oriented approach to his work, and he looks forward to working with you on your next event. Eric holds a BA in Communication from Biola University and is based out of Dallas, Texas.

ALEXA FUSARO
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
afusaro@helmsbriscoe.com

As a Program Coordinator with HelmsBriscoe ResourceOne, Alexa has more than three years of event planning experience. Alexa received her BS degree in Organizational and Interpersonal Communications from East Carolina University, and resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her family.

Alexa spent the past three years at a Charlotte-based wedding planning and events firm where she was responsible for developing event project plans, catering, décor, and client management. Alexa has seamlessly translated these skills to ResourceOne’s team and is excited to help execute your next corporate event with professionalism and style.