the westin lombard sales, catering and convention services team
Rest assured, you're in great hands and can unwind with our dedicated and talented staff. Take a few minutes, indulge in our expertise and feel free to contact any of us to start planning your next event or to hear about all the great promotions we're offering.
On behalf of all of us, it's nice to meet you. We look forward to working with you.
Sales Team
Diane Barrett - Corporate Sales Manager
Phone: 630-719-8009
Diane's journey with Starwood Hotels & Resorts started in January 1997 at The Westin O'Hare as a Social Catering Sales Manager. Her desire to learn more about the operations of the hotel inspired her to move into the position of Banquet Captain in 1999. At this time, her happy marriage to husband Joe became fulfilled with her only child, Hannah. As priorities changed after her arrival, she was offered the opportunity to move to the Four Points Sheraton Oak Brook in 2001, as the Social and Corporate Catering Manager, which allowed her to be closer to home and adjust hours to spend more time with her family. In 2004, she was again offered another great opportunity back at The Westin O'Hare as the Westin One-Call Sales Manager. This helped expand Diane's hotel knowledge again by becoming involved with understand guestrooms and group contracts. In 2008, as her desire for further knowledge thrived, she took on the position of the Westin One-Call Sales Manager at The Westin Lombard Yorktown Center, which was the opportunity to add working in a position of a new build hotel and a pre-sales office. After fulfilling that position and becoming successful, she then moved into the position she currently has as the Corporate Group Sales Manager. After 13 successful years with Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Diane looks forward to her continued Journey.
Pam Draves - Association/Government Sales Manager
Phone: 630-719-8002
With an extensive convention services and sales background, Pam is able to provide you with expert advice and assistance when planning your conference here at the Westin Lombard. Focusing on state, regional and national level groups since 2002, her knowledge allows you to breathe easy and relax in the hands of a tested professional. Originally from Wisconsin, Pam has a passion for travel and an appreciation of quality personal service. Her favorite city is New Orleans, which she tries to visit at least once a year. Pam enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 teen-age sons. Some of their favorite pastimes include creating culinary treats together and fishing in northern Wisconsin.
Brian Ciemnicki - SMERF Senior Sales Manager
Phone: 630-719-8004
Brian became a member of the Starwood family back in August 2006 as part of the pre-opening sales team for the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center. Since then, he has been very successful working with individuals and groups within the Religious, Fraternal, Sports, Reunion, Education and Tour and Travel Markets. Prior to joining the Westin Lombard, Brian started in the Hospitality Industry back in 1994 as a Bellman and worked his way up to Director of Sales and Marketing with Wyndham Hotels. During his career Brian has worked with hundreds of groups to create positive and rewarding experiences during their events. Brian loves what he does and has a true enjoyment for the people he meets and gets to work with on a daily basis. His drive in life is to serve others in an honest and meaningful way that leads to enriching, memorable and long-lasting relationships. Originally from Detroit, Brian and his family currently reside in Lake in the Hills, IL. Brian is happily married and a father of four children (three girls and one boy). Some of Brian's passions consist of running, camping, bowling, playing guitar and spending time with his family and friends.
Renee Jinkins - Corporate Sales Manager
Phone: 630-719-8005
Renee is a highly experienced sales and marketing professional. She is a motivated, enthusiastic team player with the ability to meet individual goals. She is highly organized with strong communications skills and a personal commitment to excellence, professionalism and service. Born in Kansas and raised in Naperville, Illinois, Renee now lives with her son, Cole and her West Highland Terrier, Raleigh. In her spare time, she likes to watch her son play soccer and she is often found helping or working at one of 6 family owned restaurants. She hopes to one day move to Raleigh, North Carolina to be closer to her sister.
Kim Novella - Business Transient Sales Manager
Phone: 630-719-8000
Kimberly Novella was part of the pre-opening team at Westin Lombard and has been a business travel sales manager for 4 years. Previous to Westin, Kim began her Starwood journey by working for Sheraton Suites Elk Grove as a Convention Services Coordinator. In her current role, Kim creates a personal rejuvenating guest experiences for our business travelers. Kim currently resides in Aurora, where she lives with her husband and new puppy Kelsey. On the weekends, Kim likes to travel, spend time with her family & friends, and cheer on her University of Iowa Hawkeyes. She also enjoys perusing her passion of photography with her dad and hopes to one day expand her hobby by selling her photography at local art shows.
Tammy Jordan - Director of Catering
Phone: 630-719-8029
Tammy graduated from Illinois College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications and Business Management. She has worked and consulted within the hospitality industry for 23 years and began her journey with Starwood in 2008 . She has lived in the Chicago area all of her life and currently resides in a suburb of Chicago with her husband Scott and two children Ryan and Taylor. Tammy's passion outside of the workplace is hockey, traveling and spending time with her family and friends.
Sara Marach - Director of Sales and Marketing
Phone: 630-719-8001
Sara Marach serves as the Director of Sales and Marketing for the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center. She oversees all presale efforts for special events, the catering and sales teams, and oversees all marketing and advertising efforts for the property in order to position the hotel as the newest and most renewing hotel in the western suburban market. Marach has over 17 years of experience in the hotel industry. After earning her Bachelor of Science degree in hotel and restaurant management from Michigan State University, she joined Starwood 1996 where she was the director of sales for the Midland Hotel (currently the W Hotel City Center) in Chicago, IL. From there she became the director of group sales and then promoted to director of sales & marketing for the Sheraton in Arlington Heights, IL; she then transferred to the Sheraton in Elk Grove Village, IL where she served as the director of sales & marketing. The Westin Lombard Yorktown Center marks Marach's fourth Starwood affiliation.
Catering Team
Sara Blankestyn - Catering Sales Manager
Phone: 630-719-8022
Sara Blankestyn has been with the Starwood family for about 4 years, as a Catering Sales Manager. She began her journey with hospitality when she graduated with her Bachelor's in Hospitality Management and minored in Culinary Arts at Kendall College. After finishing school, Sara had the opportunity to be an Advanced Internship -then Assistant Manager, with Disney at their Hilton Head Island Resort. At Disney is where she learned the "magic" that goes into creating a memorable experiences and exceeding expectations. Sara's journey has brought her to the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center as the Social Catering Sales Manager, where she continues to surprise and delight all those who wish to celebrate their journey with the Westin. Sara recently purchased her first home in Woodridge and is looking forward to being active in her new community with theater and volunteering.
Bridget Lynch Cullinan - Catering Sales Manager
Phone: 630-719-8000
Bridget was born in Arizona and raised in northwest Illinois. After graduating from Northern Illinois University with a degree in political science and business administration, she began her career with a municipal economic development group in Rockford, eventually moving to the Canadian Consulate General Chicago as an export commercial officer. Her journey began with Starwood as a member of the pre-opening team for the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center in August of 2007, and continue to evolve and grow into her position as catering sales manager serving the corporate market. Bridget's passion for landscape design inspired her to earn an additional degree in horticulture and use this creative avenue to contribute to local elementary education programs. She enjoys travelling and through both work and pleasure her travels have taken me throughout U.S., to the Caribbean, Europe and the northwest territories of Canada. Bridget currently resides in Lombard with her husband who practices law in Chicago, and their three sons who are active in high school basketball and baseball.
Convention Services Team
Brian De Anda - Convention Services Manager
Brian de Anda started his journey in the hospitality industry at the age of 16 in banquets and after several years and various hospitality related positions, he strived for change and decided to seek employment with Starwood Hotels. He applied at the Westin in Lombard and was hired as a Banquet House Attendant. While at the Westin, Brian was able to excel in his position and by the end of his first year he was promoted to Banquet Supervisor. While a supervisor, Brian worked hard to build his team and sharpen his skills and was promoted to a Convention Services Coordinator. Brian worked diligently and excelled in his new role and after proving his ability, he was promoted into his new role as Convention Services Manager at the Westin Lombard.
Kim Velazquez - Convention Services Manager
Kim became a member of the Starwood family in August 2006 as part of the pre-opening sales team for the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center. She comes to us with 17 years of experience within the hotel industry and works closely with the Operations Team to ensure that groups/events have the vision transformed from paper to reality. Kim currently resides in West Chicago with her husband of 12 years and two daughters. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family and friends. Kim's passion is traveling and work.
Jennifer Needham - Convention Services Manager
Jennifer began her career in the hospitality industry 10 years ago and never looked back. From restaurants to golf courses, Jennifer has seen and done it all. She recently entered the Hotel industry in 2008 and The Westin Lombard marks Jennifer's 3rd property. Jennifer also spent 5 years in promotions and advertising working for Creata Promotion. In her spare time she enjoys singing and playing music. With an extensive resume' of marketing and customer service, Jennifer brings a fresh approach to all her events. Jennifer currently lives in Indian Head Park with her family.