Event Specialist – Kathryn Matta
Now in her second year with A Spice of Life, Kathryn came to us from Florida where she gained event management and planning experience in the catering industry, while earning her Business Administration degree from the University of Florida. Before moving to the great west for the outdoors and active lifestyle, Kathryn lived in Milan, where she fell in love with all aspects of the Italian lifestyle, especially the cuisine and the people.
“Every event is different from the next. Each client seeks something unique, thus food and décor trends are always changing.” When it comes to planning events, Kathryn enjoys working with the details and ensuring that each event has a personal touch. She also enjoys the variety of events she plans, from social and family gatherings to larger corporate and sporting events. “The success of an event is motivating in itself, but to see the happy expressions and smiles of our clients and guests is the ultimate reward.”
Event Specialist – Dawn Meitz
Dawn Meitz is a highly respected event coordinator at A Spice of Life, specializing in wedding as well as corporate and social event planning. She began her career with Spice in August of 1998, after a 13-year career in event planning at the Boulder Country Club. Dawn is a master-planner and really knows how to make her clients feel at ease. When asked what she loves most about her job, she replied, “I love the people, the locations, and to see the completion of fantastic events.” Dawn holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Western Michigan University, and is a member of the Association of Bridal Consultants, as well as the premier industry group “The Wedding Specialists”. When she is not working, Dawn enjoys skiing, wake boarding, camping, and being outdoors. She is married and has two children, Nicole and Keenan.
Event Specialist – Katie Mickel
Katie began her career at A Spice of Life as an off-premise server in May 2009. As a recent graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder, Katie was eager to use her business and marketing background to move into a career in event planning. After five short months with the company, she was offered a full-time position as the Office and Sales Assistant in our Catering Services office and has recently been promoted again to Event Specialist.
Her enthusiasm for her job is apparent in everything she does, and Katie’s excitement for planning and ease with clients is a true asset to A Spice of Life. She is certain that her love of all things “Spice” will continue to fuel her career in event planning for years to come.
Event Specialist – Lisa Paoletti
Lisa Paoletti is a highly organized, self-motivated and innovative sales and marketing professional whose 15-year career has focused on hospitality, retail sales and office management.
Lisa started her career in the restaurant business in 1991. A few years later she moved into managing and event planning for high profile, busy restaurants from the Virgin Islands to Detroit. In 1998, she moved to Boulder and was hired for sales and event management at the exclusive Chautauqua Dining Hall. Using connections she made in this position, Lisa started her own business in 2003. Her company served high profile executives through personal assistance and management of employees and contractors.
She started at A Spice of Life in July 2010 as an Event Specialist and looks forward to contributing her many skills and creative ideas to the continued growth and success of the company.
Event Specialist – Kathy Vaughan
Kathy Vaughan has been part of the wedding planning industry for over a decade. When she started her own business in 1994, she began exclusively planning weddings. Kathy is a renowned bridal consultant who creates unforgettable occasions. Some of Kathy’s weddings have featured performances by the famous Kenny Loggins and Tony Bennett. Although Kathy continues to expand her personal company, she is excited to contribute her talents to A Spice of Life.
Kathy truly understands the love and romance that goes into a wonderful wedding, and marriage, because she found true love at an early age. In her freshmen year of college at the University of Colorado, Kathy met her husband of 41 years, B. Wray. The two have established their lives in Boulder and have four biological children, one adopted child with special needs, and six grandchildren. Kathy is excited to bring her level of expertise and creativity to Spice.
Event Specialist – Kari Jo Wyrick
Kari Jo Wyrick grew up in Montana, where she began her life-long love of the service industry. She pursued this passion by receiving her Hospitality and Restaurant Management degree in Oregon. She moved to Colorado knowing it was a place where she’d always wanted to settle, and she joined the Spice of Life team in 2010 after working at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park. Kari Jo is known around the office for her sass and her fun-loving personality. She lives in Boulder, and loves where she is in her career, what she does in the catering industry and especially the people she has the pleasure of meeting through her work.
Sales Assistant – Laurel Toney
salesassistant@aspiceoflife.com
Laurel Toney grew up in Denver and has always love food, writing and serving others. At A Spice of Life, she is able to combine these passions. She attended Kent Denver School in Cherry Hills and Vanderbilt University in Nashville before she earned her Bachelor of Science in Journalism at the University of Colorado Boulder in 2011. After writing wedding features for the Occasions section of the Longmont Times-Call, Laurel realized the catering and events industry would be a great fit for her interests. She looks forward to becoming an integral part of A Spice of Life and learning more about the industry.
Human Resources Director – Hilarie Porter
Hilarie began at A Spice of Life in July 2010. She is a seasoned human resources generalist with a 15-year track record. She is known for her ability to quickly assess situations and to provide creative, realistic solutions to everyday human resource issues. Hilarie holds a BS and MS from Florida State University and a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) accreditation. She is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
Prior to joining the Spice Team, Hilarie held the position of Human Resources Director and was a member of the senior management team for Inside Communications, a locally based sports publishing company that published niche magazines in cycling, triathlon and skiing. As a member of the senior management team, she contributed significantly in the successful sale of Inside Communications to California based Competitor Group.
In addition to her human resources background, Hilarie was the creative talent behind all of the recipes for the best-selling nutrition books Eat to Win, Eat to Succeed, Forever Fit and Eat Smart-Think Smart.
In her free time she enjoys cycling, hiking with her dog, and skiing.
Controller – Todd Havnes
Todd Havnes started at A Spice of Life in April of 2008 and is an extremely valuable asset to the company. Todd traveled from Tucson, Arizona to seek better opportunities. He is a 1987 graduate from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a BA in Classics, an MS in Accounting, and a PHD in Economics. Todd’s impressive skills help Spice with everyday necessities. His dry humor and practical jokes keep the sales office smiling.
On the weekends, Todd spends time cooking, golfing and playing with his cat, Macy. Although Todd works primarily with numbers, his knowledge of fine wine and cuisine is also an asset to the company.
