Jennifer K. Heinz

Chief Strategy Officer

Representing the third generation of The RK Group, Jennifer K. Heinz has since 2016 been integrally responsible for facilitating the company's efforts in emergency and mobile contingency solutions that reflect diverse applications nationwide as well as in identified international markets.

In conjunction with planned strategic growth objectives, she also directs the turnkey response efforts for deployments requiring global mass-volume, culinary and hospitality programs. Additionally, she oversees destination management services provided through the company's Circa brand that provides premier event facilitation and all related logistical coordination.

Heinz graduated from Southern Methodist University, Dallas with a Bachelor of International Studies and began her career in the nonprofit human services field, working toward charitable goals in women's health at the Susan G. Komen Foundation. During her tenure, she was involved in numerous activities encompassing 50+ satellite offices, focusing on compliance, data analysis, relationship building, and establishing clear channels of communication to ensure strong community partnerships of the organization and its affiliates.

Her foundation in innovative program development and facilitation of complex contingency services is instrumental in establishing new relationships while supporting current activities with strategic insight based on measurable outcomes.

CHRIS MCANANY

CIRCA Vice President

Christopher brings over two decades of experience in the meetings and events industry as well as trade show and exhibition services. He has managed operations, sales, marketing, customer service, and account management within the hospitality and branding business sectors.

After graduation from Michigan State University, Christopher started his career working with the automotive industry in events and exhibitions throughout the Detroit area and beyond. Working with esteemed partners such as GM Creative Services, HB Stubbs, and Carlson Marketing, Christopher contributed to the successes of GM World and many of the automotive world's biggest events for the first few years of his career. He continued on to transition from both the exhibit and event realms to the DMC industry, eventually bringing both together. Most recently, he served as Vice President of the Eastern Regions for both PRA and Kuoni (now MC&A).

Christopher's passion for our industry and our clients is at the core of all of his partner engagements. As Vice President of Circa, he leads its day-to-day operations as well as its expansion strategy and role within The RK Group. He thrives on not only being an ambassador for Circa and the destinations that he loves, but to all those that we host for unforgettable experiences.

Brenda Parker

National Director of Operations & area Manager Florida

With over 20 years of experience, Brenda began her diverse hospitality journey in hotel direct services as a customer-facing calls operator, going on to train in all business areas before ultimately becoming Director of Sales. Brenda then moved on to the meetings and events field, taking on roles as both a meeting planner and events manager before applying both her skills and passion in the Destination Management industry. Her multifaceted, first-hand perspective provided the key expertise and responsibilities necessary to ensure successful oversight of creative development, accounting, and operations efforts. This experience, which she applies daily in her leadership position at Circa, subsequently provided the perfect launch pad for Brenda to ultimately become both a Director of Operations and General Manager in the DMC industry.

Amanda Johnston

Area Manager Texas

As a lifelong Texan, Amanda will always tell you "no one can do hospitality quite like the Lone Star State". She has spent the last eight years in the DMC industry curating and executing memorable experiences, showcasing the best that Texas has to offer. Combined with her experience as an event/trade show manager for a large medical company and a strong background in social and corporate hotel sales and operations, With over 15 years of sales, creative design and event operation management experience, Amanda is a Jill of all trades in the event world. Her favorite games as a child were always puzzles and she has taken that natural love of all things logistical to manage events of every size, both domestically and internationally. You can count on her to slay every detail of an experience, even the ones no one notices.

Cris Richiez

National Creative Director

Cris is a multi-faceted creative professional, with over 10 years of experience in the events planning industry. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Advertising and an Associate of Arts degree in Fashion Merchandising from Miami International University of Art & Design; she has transformed that knowledge into an amazing skill set that has produced a collection of original themed events,  graphic presentations and customized programs. Utilizing her unique vision and attention to detail she exemplifies success through a variety of creatively artistic and innovative projects.