Eastern U.S. Office
Karen Kendig, President
Karen founded Speakers-Network, Inc., a national bureau booking speakers and celebrities, in 1987. Prior to that, she managed talent promotion at NBC-TV for over ten years, with responsibility for “The Cosby Show”, “Today”, “Saturday Night Live” and daytime soap operas. She also managed east coast media tours for the network’s ”movies of the week” and booked talent for the “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”.
Karen is past president of the International Association of Speakers Bureaus, which also previously presented her with its President’s Award. Karen currently serves on the board of directors of the Thurber House. In addition, she regularly counsels healthcare organizations on promotional activities.
Karen developed her interest in healthcare from her grandfather, a noted surgeon who was an advocate for the advancement of education in the field of healthcare.
Karen@SpeakersOnHealthcare.com
800-697-7325 Ext. 3
Neal Cavanaugh, V.P. Sales & Marketing
With over 26 years in the event marketing and management field, Neal created and produced over 2500 regional and national events. He founded EventCo in Columbus, OH, which he owned until 2002. Neal's signature events include 29 opening nights for Disney all held simultaneously in 29 locales around the U.S. He created the 50th Anniversary celebration at Carnegie Hall in NYC for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and other unique events around such diverse celebrities as Michael Eisner, Barbara Bush, Luciano Pavarotti, Dan Rather and a 24-foot flying saucer. Neal holds a degree from Denison University.
Neal@SpeakersOnHealthcare.com
800-697-7325 Ext. 4
Western U.S. Office
Jo Cavender, President
Jo Cavender served eight years as a VP for training and research prior to the startup of her own company in 1991, Speakers Connection, Inc. She developed a passion for the healthcare industry as she searched for answers during her father's Alzheimer's illness.
Jo holds a masters and undergraduate degree in marketing and post secondary education and taught marketing for 10 years. She is active at various levels of service in the International Association of Speakers Bureaus (IASB) from serving on the Board of Governors, to President in 2000. Jo received the top two awards in the industry: the Palmer Award in 2003, for outstanding contributions to the industry; and the Dottie Walters Helping Hands Award in 2002, for dedication and support to the industry. She has also served on the Ethics Committee of the IASB and was the only bureau to ever serve on the National Speakers Association-Ethics Committee, a 3500-member organization.
Jo@SpeakersOnHealthcare.com
800-697-7325 Ext. 1
Larry Cavender, V.P. Sales
Larry Cavender spent 15 years in sales and 20 years as director of the news with an NBC affiliate station. He left Memphis and moved to Oregon assisting with the launch of Speakers Connection, Inc. Working with NBC provided him much insight into expert timing and attention-grabbing topics that attracted viewers to their "number one" voted news show. These skills prove invaluable as he assists his clients in unique program planning for their upcoming meetings.
Larry also holds graduate and undergraduate degrees in Marketing and Education. He spent a number of years teaching and coaching golf. An avid golfer, he anxiously awaits for that "hole in one."
Larry@SpeakersOnHealthcare.com
800-697-7325 Ext. 2
Jarrad Bannas, V.P. Operations
Jarrad Bannas joined Speakers Connection in 2003 after working 5 years at Intel Corporation. Jarrad wore many "hats" at Intel including: business analyst, data analyst, data modeler, db/backend programmer, and production support for the Planning and Logistics and e-Business Groups. He was part of the 6-person team that pioneered the Data Quality Group; later leading to the inception of a corporate wide initiative and Intel's Top 10 Focus Areas.
A Management Information Systems graduate of Santa Clara University, Jarrad was happy to return home to Oregon after spending 9 years in the Bay Area of California.
Jarrad@SpeakersOnHealthcare.com
800-697-7325 Ext. 5
Jena Novotny, Logistics Coordinator
Jena Novotny recently joined Speakers On Healthcare and Speakers Network after working 7 years in the field of fundraising for a diverse group of educational and community building organizations across the country. Recognizing that it's all in the details, Jena's expertise in event planning and program development proves valuable as she assists clients in organizing an unforgettable experience for their events and business meetings. Jena holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Oregon.
Jena@SpeakersOnHealthcare.com
800-697-7325 Ext. 6
Megan Keim, Logistics Coordinator
Megan@SpeakersOnHealthcare.com
800-697-7325 Ext. 7
Kelly Notarfrancesco, Logistics Coordinator
Kelly@SpeakersOnHealthcare.com