Meet The Makers

Our team of professional event producers, passionate culinary artists, and personable support staff are ready to serve you.

Rich Wilner

General Manager

Rich Wilner, an Atlanta transplant from his native New York City, has been the General Manager of AFFAIRS to REMEMBER since 2014. He is a 30+ year veteran of the Hospitality Industry with a degree in Communications from SUNY Oswego. Before serving as General Manager, he was the Director of Sales for several years. Since becoming General Manager, Rich has produced over 1,200 special events while overseeing the management of private event spaces at the Fox Theatre and the beverage program at Mason Fine Art. Rich continues to successfully help innovate AFFAIRS's signature designs, sales strategies, and marketing campaigns. He was recognized with a "Choice Award," for his work by the Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants during their national conference. When not planning an event, Rich also enjoys speaking various conferences as an industry expert. His previous speaking opportunities have included programs on sustainability and event planning at Georgia Tech, Emory University, Georgia State, and the Social Circle Summit.

Rich Wilner

General Manager
Rachel Ryals

Executive Chef

Rachel is the Chef de Cuisine for AFFAIRS to REMEMBER and manages our kitchen staff on and off site while creating and executing menus for events. She also oversees recipe and cleanliness standards in our kitchen all the while helping Executive Chef Ahmad in various day to day tasks. She graduated cum laude from the International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Atlanta as a Certified Culinarian and Certified Pastry Culinarian. Her training included Culinary tours in Italy, Germany, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Rachel has a well-developed palate and her favorite foods to make are fusions of items that should be savory, but she turns sweet. Outside of the kitchen, Rachel is passionate about physical fitness and runs an online coaching business. She spends her time doing a lot of outdoor activities with her husband and her rescue pit bull Frankie. Rachel loves being a part of the AFFAIRS family spirit.

Rachel Ryals

Executive Chef
Jennifer Schiveree Farmer

Assistant General Manager

Jennifer Schiveree Farmer joined AFFAIRS to REMEMBER in July 2015 as Assistant General Manager, serving as back-up to the General Manager by overseeing payroll and managing all HR duties. Jennifer brings to AFFAIRS to REMEMBER a wealth of experience and industry knowledge. Before joining the AFFAIRS family, she served successfully as the Director of Sales & Marketing at the Fox Theatre for 18 years. While there, she oversaw the iconic Atlanta landmark’s ballrooms and other private event spaces by coordinating weddings, social, corporate, and fundraising events for local, national, and international clients. Her success in that position makes her uniquely qualified to serve as AFFAIRS to REMEMBER's Assistant General Manager. Jennifer’s three proudest achievements include her son Thomas III, and twins Jack and Molly. She enjoys working at AFFAIRS to REMEMBER because she feels as if she is surrounded by highly driven and successful people who genuinely care about delivering superior service and an unparalleled product.

Jennifer Schiveree Farmer

Assistant General Manager
Armando Queipo

Warehouse and Operations Manager

Amid humble beginnings, a Venezuelan hard worker, Armando Queipo, began his career at AFFAIRS to REMEMBER in the laundry department. Through his unwavering dedication and discipline, today he oversees both the Stewarding and Warehouse departments. In this management position, Armando ensures that each event unfolds with precision and care. He believes that his success is an example for others to follow and he promotes teamwork to drive excellence.

Armando Queipo

Warehouse and Operations Manager
Cameron Pearce

Catering & Event Production Consultant

Atlanta native Cameron Pearce joined AFFAIRS to REMEMBER in September 2015. In his role as a member of the AFFAIRS to REMEMBER sales team, Cameron provides an extraordinary customer service experience while creating memorable special events for his clients. His “full-service” approach to event production has inspired a large and loyal client base including both corporate and social clients. Within Cameron's professional repertoire is an extensive chef experience and a degree in Culinary Arts – both of which help him find the perfect menu choices for each client’s specific tastes. He has worked many culinary jobs ranging from Line Chef to Executive Chef at various popular Atlanta restaurants including, Canoe, Campagnolo, and Watershed on Peachtree Street. In his spare time, Cameron enjoys college football and basketball games (with a bit of tailgating as a starter), spending time with his family and friends, the beach, and enjoying a nice night in with a good movie and homecooked meal.

Cameron Pearce

Catering & Event Production Consultant
Rich Liblang

Catering & Event Production Consultant

Having resided in Atlanta for more than 30 years, Rich Liblang considers himself almost a native to the area. Rich joined AFFAIRS to REMEMBER as a Catering Consultant and brings with him more than 20 years of knowledge and experience in the hospitality industry. His experience spans from restaurant proprietor to focusing on catering and event design with a solid foundation in logistics, operations, and strategic planning. Over the years he has embraced the challenges and joys of crafting unique memorable experiences for his clients. In his spare time, he enjoys working out, DIY projects around the house and traveling to new destinations.

Rich Liblang

Catering & Event Production Consultant
Jan Franklin

Special Events Associate

Jan Franklin is a Special Events Associate for AFFAIRS to REMEMBER, providing support to the sales, operations, service and accounting teams. During her thirty-plus years with AFFAIRS, she has performed all aspects of catering and event production, coordinating logistics for more than 1,000 events. Jan graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and received a Master of Fine Arts from Ole Miss. After moving to Atlanta, she was the stage manager for performances at Marietta's young Theatre in the Square, and later she landed at AFFAIRS as a server. Jan believes that every event is its own unique "show" and she loves being part of each production.

Jan Franklin

Special Events Associate
Asia Trammel

Sales Associate

Asia Trammell is a sales associate at AFFAIRS to REMEMBER providing administrative support to the sales department by focusing on the production, logistics, and execution of events. Asia brings to her position more than 25 years of Customer Service experience and 15 years in the Hospitality Industry. With a profound passion for hospitality, Asia is devoted to helping make each event exceed client's expectations. Born and reared in Los Angeles, California, Asia earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resource and Business Management from California State University Dominguez Hills, receiving The Dean's Award for Academic Excellence. During Asia’s free time, she enjoys cooking, fitness training, singing, and spending time with family.

Asia Trammel

Sales Associate
Phillip Metze

Sales Associate

Phillip Metze is a sales associate at AFFAIRS to REMEMBER providing administrative support to the sales department through planning production details, logistics, and executing events. Phillip grew up in Columbia, South Carolina and joins us with 30 years in the hospitality industry, including the last 9 years specializing in catering and events. His favorite part of event planning is executing the events to see the final project come together and the feeling of pride he experiences. To bring a balance to life he enjoys working out, cooking and quiet time at home with his pets.

Phillip Metze

Sales Associate
Ron Lazarus

Co-Founder

Ron Lazarus was one of the co-founders and owners of AFFAIRS to REMEMBER and was honored by NACE and ISES with the Lifetime Achievement Award. In operation for more than 40 years, AFFAIRS to REMEMBER was built upon and remains focused on reliability, impeccable service, and attention to detail. Ron believes that is of the utmost importance to continue to build AFFAIRS's legacy based on these tenants and continue to create beautifully customized events for every client.

Ron Lazarus

Co-Founder

Ahmad Nourzad

Director of Culinary Services

Chef Ahmad Nourzad is the Director of Culinary Services for AFFAIRS to REMEMBER, and is responsible for research and development of new foods for the company’s product line, sourcing and purchasing ingredients and equipment, logistics planning for off-premise events, and training and managing all culinary staff. Chef Ahmad developed a love for cooking during his early years while helping his mother in the kitchen in Tehran, Iran. His first restaurant experience was in Vienna, Austria before traveling to New York to join the prestigious Culinary Institute of America. Chef Ahmad’s hands-on attitude often inspires him to work hard and he has 25 years of experience in all aspects of a working kitchen. His dedication to environmental stewardship was firmly rooted long before the movement became popular, which made him an ideal candidate to help spearhead AFFAIRS Legacy Green sustainability program. He is immensely proud to send all leftover foods from events to the Atlanta Community Food Bank and Chef Ahmad diligently sources local and organically grown ingredients whenever possible. Chef Ahmad is a proud Georgia Grown Executive Chef and enjoys judging the annual Vidalia Onion Festival competition in Southern Georgia.

Ahmad Nourzad

Director of Culinary Services
Jon McNeill

Director of Service

John McNeill is the Director of Service at AFFAIRS to REMEMBER. He manages the Service Department, Hospitality Department, Delivery Department, and the Linen Department. Jon joined the AFFAIRS team in 2002 and has worked in the Catering Industry for nearly 30 years! Jon received his Bachelor's degree from East Carolina University. He is a ServSafe Certified Alcohol Instructor with the National Restaurant Association. Jon is continually improving internal processes, employee training, and adapting to new trends - he's even set a few new trends himself.

Jon McNeill

Director of Service
Steve M. Moore

Director of Special Events for AFFAIRS at the FOX

Steve M Moore is the Director of Special Events at AFFAIRS at the FOX. In his role, he is responsible for the sales and marketing of the private event spaces at the Fox Theatre, coordination of event production, catering and vendor partners, and overall guest experience Steve’s hospitality career has spanned over three decades and his work has been featured in numerous national publications including The Knot, Martha Stewart, Ebony, and People Magazine. Steve believes ‘giving back’ is a must in the event industry. He is an active member of The International Live Event Association and has served the Atlanta Chapter in many roles including as Chapter President (2017-2018). With a steadfast commitment to exceeding client expectations and providing superior customer service, as well as being energized with the tenacity of a personable, high-achiever, Steve's breadth of special events knowledge, at every level, continues to translate into nearly countless happy clients, as well as industry colleagues.

Steve M. Moore

Director of Special Events for AFFAIRS at the FOX
Saffold Barksdale

Catering & Event Production Consultant

Saffold Barksdale has been an Atlanta resident since 2007 and a part of the AFFAIRS to REMEMBER team since 2014. Her bachelor's degree in communications from the University of South Alabama, detailed experience in the culinary arts, and more than a decade of hospitality experience make her an invaluable member of the team. Saffold thrives on creating cutting-edge culinary experiences for her clients by working closely with everyone involved and keeping budgets a top priority. Her skill in full-service event production helps to create award-winning events throughout the Metro Atlanta area for all her social, corporate, and non-profit clients. When Barksdale isn't planning, she champions AFFAIRS to REMEMBER's sustainability initiatives and is an active member of both Georgia Organics and the Cast Iron & Collards Society. Barksdale's outstanding work has been recognized more than once: she was honored as AFFAIRS to REMEMBER's Employee of the Year in 2015, named one of Special Events Magazine's "25 Young Special Events Pros to Watch" in 2016, and awarded her first Allie Award for Best Wedding Entertainment in 2019. Outside of work, Barksdale enjoys spending time with her partner and her beloved boxer Sadie, as well as horseback riding and traveling to enjoy live music.

Saffold Barksdale

Catering & Event Production Consultant
Yossi Ben‑Haim

Catering & Event Production Consultant

Yossi Ben-Haim has been an Events & Catering Consultant at AFFAIRS to REMEMBER and AFFAIRS at The Fox Theatre. He focuses on managing nonprofit accounts and enthusiastically developing and growing AFFAIRS' LEGACY program which sponsors community and national fundraising and charity events in Atlanta. With a deep and unwavering commitment to exceeding his client's expectations Yossi brings to his position more than 20 years of experience in the food and beverage industry. A native of Tel Aviv, Israel, Yossi earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Science and City Planning from Tel Aviv University where he also played soccer and loved every moment. Before joining AFFAIRS, Yossi served as the executive chef and owner of a small, local gourmet catering company that offered a wide range of cuisine options and primarily catered to corporate clients. He was also the owner and operator of a coffee shop specializing in espresso, which received the 2016 Atlanta Best Barista Award and The Jewish Times' "Atlanta's Best Coffee" award in 2016 and 2017. Yossi and his wife Keren have called Atlanta home for more than 20 years. During his free time, Yossi is likely cooking with his family, playing or watching sports with his two boys and their dog, or traveling with his wife and family. He also loves a good gourmet coffee, espresso, and fresh-baked French pastries!

Yossi Ben‑Haim

Catering & Event Production Consultant
Joycelyn Jones

Special Event Consultant at AFFAIRS at the FOX

JOYCELYN JONES SPECIAL EVENT CONSULTANT AT AFFAIRS AT THE FOX Joycelyn Jones is a Special Event Consultant at AFFAIRS at the FOX. In her role, she is responsible for the sales and contracting of the ballrooms and private event spaces for events at the Fox Theatre. She serves as a client liaison through the entire event planning process and event production. A native to Maryland, Joycelyn graduated Magna Cum Laude from Howard University and received her Master of Business Administration with a concentration in marketing from George Mason University. Joycelyn’s favorite part of the hospitality business is the long-lasting relationships within the industry. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, movies, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Joycelyn Jones

Special Event Consultant at AFFAIRS at the FOX
Valerie Bouzy

Special Events Coordinator at AFFAIRS AT THE FOX

VALERIE BOUZY SPECIAL EVENTS COORDINATOR AT AFFAIRS AT THE FOX Valerie Bouzy is the Special Events Coordinator at AFFAIRS at the FOX. In her role, she manages and supports aspects of the event production and logistics specific to private events at the Fox Theatre. She also supports the sales and production for AFFAIRS to REMEMBER. Valerie comes to us from the restaurant industry where she worked for the acclaimed Ford Fry Restaurant Group. She was born in Brooklyn, NY and holds a B.A. Degree in International Affairs, Economics, and Policy with a minor in Business Law from Kennesaw State University. She also holds an Event Planning Certificate from Emory University. She enjoys hosting parties, traveling, and dining out.

Valerie Bouzy

Special Events Coordinator at AFFAIRS AT THE FOX
Teddy Sable

Sales Associate

Teddy Sable brings with her to Affairs To Remember more than 20 years of event planning and executing expertise, corporate public relations skills and development of client relationships within the Jewish community in Atlanta. Teddy was born in New York City, moved to Israel with her family as a young child, and earned her Bachelor's degree in social work from Haifa University, Israel. Before relocating to the US, Teddy was a journalist in Israel, the PR and spokesperson for Haifa Symphony Orchestra and the founder and owner of her own PR firm. Her education is a statement of her passion for people and the job that comes from creating memories for them. When Teddy is not at Affairs, she enjoys exercising along with 6 mile power walks, listening to her son who is a classical pianist play the piano, and enjoying her funny husband Bruce.

Teddy Sable

Sales Associate
Elisa Cornish

Director of First Impressions

Elisa Cornish is the Director of First Impressions and the first smiling face to greet you when you enter the AFFAIRS to REMEMBER office. Elisa has worked for AFFAIRS to REMEMBER since 2016 and has also served as a Special Events Associate. Elisa has enjoyed a multifaceted career, which includes broadcast television production, television news reporting, film and video post-production at Warner Bros., and website design & development project management at IBM. She’s also a playwright in her spare time! Elisa is an active member of the Dramatists Guild and a member of Tertulia, a group of four black playwrights engaged in an innovative collaboration between the Dramatists Guild and the Alliance Theatre here in Atlanta.

Elisa Cornish

Director of First Impressions
Scott Ardolino

Founder

Scott Ardolino is co-owner of AFFAIRS to REMEMBER and founder of the fundraiser "An Affair to Remember," which has raised more than a half-million dollars for the Atlanta Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. He has been honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by NACE and ISES. Scott and his team have set the standard in the off-premise catering industry for more than 40 years. His dedication to detail and culinary excellence ensures that each event is executed with precision and great care.

Scott Ardolino

Founder