Meet the Team – Atlanta | Global Events Partners

GEP Atlanta - Here to Serve You!

Senior Management

President

Marty MacKay joined GEP in 2001 bringing with her more than ten years of meeting planning experience from MCI/WorldCom. She has senior management experience in all aspects of the event industry, including incentive and recognition programs; company-wide sales meetings, and international meetings. In her current position, Marty is responsible for the sales, marketing and operations of the GEP Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Savannah offices. Marty also sits on the Global Events Partners Domestic Advisory Board and currently serves on the Board of Directors for ADME International.

Regional Director of Creative Services

As Regional Director of Creative Services, Bret Lehnhof oversees the creative services departments for the GEP Washington, GEP Baltimore, GEP Philly, GEP Atlanta and GEP Savannah offices. A native of Salt Lake City and a graduate from Brigham Young University, Bret first developed his creative touch by traveling the country with a premier event and decor company. This experience allowed Bret to transition naturally and thrive in the destination management industry. Prior to joining GEP Washington, Bret worked in several management capacities with GEP Utah. Coupling his professional demeanor and imaginative eye, Bret has successfully managed over 100 events and has dedicated himself to exceeding expectations. His strong operational background has prepared him to manage the creative services department, where he firmly believes in adding personalized creative touches to each proposal GEP presents.

Director of Operations

Jim Vinyard grew up in the hospitality industry. From working through his high school years at the King & Prince Beach & Golf Resort on St. Simons Island, to Head Coordinator for the Cloister Beach Club Spa on Sea Island, to Director of Guest Services at the 1,100 room…North America’s tallest hotel The Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel in Atlanta, to working as Assistant Director of Transportation at a well known Atlanta DMC for many years, to finally landing at the best of the best DMC’s in the world…GEP Atlanta as Director of Client Services / Operations. From resort to convention, managing PGA Tournament Shuttles, Citywide Convention Shuttles, Parties and Events up to 20,000 attendees, through the 1996 Olympic Games, to Super Bowls, World Series, All Star Games, Final Four tournaments, SEC Championships, and much more. Rain, Snow, Ice, Sun, Storms….nothing stops Jim and his awesome GEP team from making it happen, and happen flawlessly! Jim loves hanging with his family, running, tennis, beach, sailing, and snow skiing on his off time.

Director of Sales

Kelley Ruff has worked in most areas of the hospitality industry, from the Ritz Carlton Hotel Company to Coach USA and Czarnowski Exhibit Events. Each experience added to her commitment to service and exceeding her customers’ expectations. During the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games here in Atlanta, Kelley handled the transportation program for one of the major sponsors and specialized in VIP hospitality. Kelley has also proposed, planned and executed hospitality programs for many Fortune 100 companies across many industries. She has held professional membership and committee appointments in our local Georgia chapters of Meeting Professionals International, National Business Travel Association and Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International.

Sales

Account Executive

Autumn Woods Johnson joins GEP with over 10 years experience in Sales, Management, and Hospitality in both Houston and Atlanta. After developing the banquet and events program for a restaurant group in Houston, she came to Atlanta in 2005 to complete a Masters degree at Emory University and has immersed herself in this vibrant city’s hospitality industry. Playing a key role in the restaurant side of the industry for seven years and in her role as Group Dining Sales Manager for one of the premier restaurant groups in Atlanta, Autumn is very connected and in tune with new trends and extremely well versed in the multitude of options available for events in Atlanta. She has managed the sales and coordination of over 500 events annually for domestic and international clients. She is creative, diligent, and has a knack for making all her clients feel extremely comfortable and taken care of.

Savannah Account Executive

Kayre Logan is a native of the low country and a Savannah local with expertise in sales, marketing and promotion. Kayre is a graduate of Columbia College with a B.A. degree in English. Prior to joining GEP, she was an independent project manager for clients in the non-profit and public sectors and served as promotion manager for the CBS television station, WGNX-TV in Atlanta. Kayre stepped into her new role as GEP’s ambassador to both Savannah and Hilton Head in January 2011 and is a natural for the business. Her roots are in the region. She knows the vendors, the ins and outs and how to get things done.

Operations