LES Staff Biographies

Ken Schoppmann, Executive Director - Primary point of contact for office initiatives and quality control. Leads activities of LES staff and assists Trustees to plan and implement new member services. Reviews financial statements and manages office operations.

Ken's background includes more than 15 years of not-for-profit organization experience, with 10 years in association management. He has held financial and administrative leadership positions for national trade associations where he has been responsible for restructuring and rebuilding association staff functions.

Ken is an active member of the American Society of Association Executives, the Greater Washington Society of Association Executives, and the Society for Human Resource Management.

Patricia Bradford, Bookkeeper - As LES's bookkeeper, Pat is responsible for financial and accounting matters including Accounts Payable, financial reporting, bank reconciliations and the annual audit.

Prior to LES, Pat worked as the Manager of Administration for The Sulphur Institute in Washington, DC where she was responsible for all financial matters, budgeting, international meeting planning, purchasing, and office management, including personnel and benefit administration. She has more than 15 years of experience in non-profit accounting and administration.

Pat has a degree in theatre from the University of Delaware.

Christina Desmond, Meetings Coordinator - As an LES Meetings Coordinator, Christina assists with the planning, implementation, and execution of all LES meetings and educational programs. She works with volunteer committees to organize truly beneficial meetings for LES members.

Christina has over four years of demonstrated experience and abilities within the marketing, promotional, and event planning industries. Prior to LES, Christina was a Marketing Specialist for The Templar Corporation where she was in charge of exhibits; traveling the country promoting Templar's marketing efforts. She also acted as a liaison for the design and production of marketing collateral and organized and planned company functions. Christina holds a B.S. degree in Marketing from George Mason University. She is also a member of the American Society of Association Executives.

Carol Gerard, Marketing and Communications Director - Carol leads communications efforts for LES including the development LES' new website. In addition, Carol provides strategic direction for LES event and membership marketing efforts.

Prior to joining LES in May 2008, Carol served as Senior Marketing Specialist for the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN). During her time at AWHONN she managed and developed several award-winning marketing campaigns that received SNAP EXCEL, Association Trends, and AMA-M awards. With over six years of association experience in serving the health care and engineering industries Carol's experience makes her an excellent addition to LES. Carol is a member of the American Society of Association Executives.

Vicki Hancock, Education Director - Responsible for development and implementation of all education content offered by LES to the field as well as oversight of the Certified Licensing Professional™ program.

Vicki has over 30 years' experience as an educator - teacher, university faculty, professional developer, and consultant. Over 40 of her articles have been published in professional journals. Since 1989, her non-profit organization duties have included new product development, constituent outreach, training program development and delivery, strategic planning, and process improvement. She is a results-oriented professional who is recognized for designing and delivering instructional programs, creating innovative learning resources, teaching adults and children, writing for publication, and using technology for teaching and learning. Vicki holds a Ph.D. in Education Communications from the University of Maryland and is a member of ASAE, the American Society of Association Executives.

Eleanor de Leon, Meetings Director - Eleanor directs logistics for all LES meetings and educational programs. She works with volunteer committees to plan and execute LES meetings.

Prior to joining LES, Eleanor served as Director of Meetings and Membership at the Association of University Programs in Health Administration. Other meetings experience includes managing meetings for the U.S. Department of Education. Her first career was in professional liability insurance, from which she draws contract experience. Eleanor holds a B.S. in Marketing Management from the University of Maryland. She is a member of the American Society of Association Executives.

Jessi Means, Meetings Coordinator - Organizes the planning, implementation, and execution of LES meetings, educational programs, and networking events.

Prior to joining LES, Jessi worked for an association management firm where she served as a Meeting Planner for several national professional organizations. She also has experience as a Corporate Events Coordinator for a government contractor. Jessi has worked in Marketing and Promotions for a concert promoter and within the DC radio and newspaper markets. An active member of the music community in Washington, DC, Jessi released a CD in 2004 whose songs are featured in independent movie soundtracks, commercials, and compilation CDs. In addition to her association management experience, Jessi is a member of the American Society of Association Executives and Broadcast Music, Inc.

Christine Mercado, Membership Director - Implements LES membership services and programs. Primary responsibilities include: LESI Membership Directory, LES Staff Liaison for Chapter and Committee Chairs, and membership database management.

Prior to joining LES in January of 2001, Christine served as Director of Membership Services for the Society of Marketing Services for five years. With over seven years of association experience, her exceptional knowledge in association management software and work in chapter-based structure is highly valuable to LES.

Christine is a member of the American Society of Association Executives.

Stephanie M. Silverstein, LESI Membership Coordinator - Primary point of contact for Licensing Executives Society International (LESI) membership information. Respond to information requests of LESI members and leaders. Work closely with LESI service providers to ensure information is available and accessible to LES members worldwide.

Prior to joining LESI, Stephanie served more than five years at the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington (JHSGW) managing the membership database, web site and member publications; providing logistical support for more than 40 annual programs; and worked closely with a 60 member board of directors.

Before working at the JHSGW, Stephanie spent 7 years teaching special needs students in MD, DC and VA schools. She has a Masters degree in Learning Disabilities from American University. Stephanie is a member of the American Society of Association Executives.

Stacy Stipes, Staff Assistant - Stacy is the first point of contact for those reaching LES. She is responsible for providing support and assistance to the office staff as well as LES members.

Prior to joining LES, Stacy was an Assistant Buyer for Saks Incorporated, where she planned and managed product lines for multiple departments in over 50 stores. She has a strong background in customer service and employee relations and makes it her priority to provide quality assistance to our members and the LES staff. Stacy holds a B.S. in Human Ecology and Business from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and she is a member of the American Society of Association Executives.