Meet The Team

THE EVENTS BY CLASSIC TEAM BRINGS IT ALL TOGETHER

Our Mission Statement

To consistently excel for our clients through quality cuisine, professional service, attention to detail and genuine enthusiasm, and to provide our employees a comfortable and professional team environment of respect, integrity, leadership, interpersonal growth, AND FUN!

The Events by Classic Team

Our melting pot of personalities and talents begin with the owners (the lucky ones), who maintain a grand vision for their company and promote an atmosphere of warmth, excellence and expertise for both their clients and staff. Together with an enthusiastic and gifted crew from management to dishwashers, the Events by Classic Group is excited and ready to take care of you and your guests for your special occasion or corporate event! Get to know some of the team:

Meet the Lucky Ones

to have such a Dedicated Team!

Dean Young

Co-Founder

Can’t live without: My wife-y, family, business, tennis, hikes, laughter & our sweet dog’s love.

Deans enthusiasm and energy for our Back of the House operations and our venues is what keeps him running (literally!). Today, Dean jumps from one improvement project to another, keeping our kitchens, event properties and equipment in top shape, while keeping his chef coat ready to put on whenever he is called to help.

Debbie Young

Co-Founder

Can’t live without: Hikes in the forest with our dog, fires in the Fireplace, Pinot Noir & Family

Deb, often referred to as the heartbeat of our culture, believes that our people are our best asset! Her primary focus is leading our team with sincere support where everyone knows that no one job is more important that the next. Debbie’s goals are 2-fold; the first is to ensure that every client feels EBCG went above and beyond for them, and the second is to create one of the best places to work!

Jim Cox

Co-Founder

Can’t live without: My immediate family to our growing “catering family,” they all bring me great happiness.

Jim is passionate about every aspect of the Events by Classic Group. Before semi-retiring, he especially loved keeping our venues beautiful, managing the alcohol “cabinet,” and paying attention to the staff’s needs — he loved being their hero and answered calls anytime day or night. He remains very close to the business happenings, is still involved in big projects at the venues, and still happy to answer anyone’s calls day or night.

Cheryl Cox

Co-Founder

Can’t live without: Jesus, holding hands with my hubby, family vacations, BFFs & wine.

Cheryl is as equally passionate staying on top of the company’s business and financial affairs as she is about property design and decor, and fortunately that creative need gets satisfied each time we need to renovate one of our properties.

Meet the Dedicated Team!

David Frappiea

Executive Chef

Can’t live without: A sense of purpose, which translates to my family as I team with my wife to ensure our children are living to their highest potential, and to my workplace as I attempt to bring our team to a higher standard of what we can become.

Born into a legacy of automobile mechanics in Vermont, David found a passion for music at age 12. With awards & scholarships, he studied his passion through graduate school, all while keeping a job in a kitchen where he found feeding people rewarding. That sense of reward kept him in kitchens ever since. Music still plays an important role in his life, but the kitchen has become his home. Working through the ranks from pantry chef, saucier, and all-rounder to Head Chef, Executive Chef & Owner/Chef brought him valued experience, knowledge, and humility, and it is his desire to bring that knowledge and passion to EBCG, and we can tell you he already has!

Victoria Shannon

Bar Specialist

Can’t live without: Jesus, international travel, adventure (especially outdoors), family & friends, Sushi, dark chocolate, music, silk pillow cases & curly hair products

Victoria loves adventure and meeting new people. She worked in a Mental health setting for 13 years with a focus on at-risk youth becoming the Administrator of that program. She decided to search for a fun “side job” that would fill a passion to learn more about events and the hospitality business and joined EBCG as a server in 2018. Shortly after, a bartending position opened allowing her creative freedom and direct guest interaction. She shares that EBCG is a supportive company, treating all employees like family, and she was grateful we believed in her abilities, trusting, and guiding her through the training process. Victoria became a strong bartender and was promoted to Assistant Bar Manager. She tells us she feels blessed to be working in a business that feeds her passion for helping others and engaging them in great experiences, and that it doesn’t even feel like what she does is work.ager!

Mary Victorino

Logistics Manager

Can’t live without: The beach, that first cup of coffee in the morning, play time with doggies (ANY dogs, ANY where!), and my weird, eclectic family.

Mary embarked on her hospitality journey in Tucson, starting at El Conquistador Resort and gradually ascending to the position of Banquet Captain over a span of 18 years. Seeking new opportunities, she expanded her expertise by participating in the opening of a prominent Westin Luxury Resort and later becoming a partner in a restaurant venture. Subsequently, she served as the Catering Manager at Scottsdale’s esteemed Musical Instrument Museum, which is renowned as one of Bon Appétit Management Company’s top-rated venues.

We are delighted that Mary has decided to return “back home” to Monterey and has now found her “final” destination with us as our Logistics Manager.

Patti Thompson

Director of Finance & Human Resources

Can’t live without: My family, my dog Jolene, travel adventures, entertaining friends, and paper crafting.

With a diverse background in finance and human resources across different industries and states, Patti brings a wealth of experience to the table. As a recent addition to the Monterey Peninsula, she is thrilled to join the Events by Classic Group.

Patti’s meticulous attention to detail and exceptional organizational skills make her an invaluable asset in upholding and enhancing the company’s financial tracking and employment practices. Working with an event planning company has always been a career aspiration for Patti, and she considers herself fortunate to have the opportunity to grow professionally with this successful and forward-thinking organization.

Amanda Hope

Director of Sales & Marketing

Can’t live without: My amazing partner and kiddos, Nespresso, hikes in Big Sur, Zyia Dogg and travel.
Amanda is a seasoned professional, with nearly 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Throughout her career, Amanda has held various roles spanning from food and beverage services to group sales in hotels. Amanda’s background demonstrates her versatility and deep understanding of the industry. She possesses a genuine passion for cultivating strong client relationships and delivering exceptional hospitality experiences.

Amanda’s primary focus revolves around providing impeccable service, fostering creativity, promoting teamwork, driving innovative change, and demonstrating complete ownership and follow-through in all her endeavors. She considers herself fortunate to be a valued member of our dynamic team and eagerly anticipates the future growth and success of Events by Classic.

Susan Villani

Director of Event Operations

Can’t live without: Love & Laughter.

Susan became a valued member of the Events by Classic team following her successful tenure in sales and catering at local hotels and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

With her extensive experience handling a diverse range of events, including weddings, conferences, and non-profit fundraisers, Susan possesses the expertise to assist each client in ensuring their event is a resounding success.

Susan expresses her appreciation for working with the Events by Classic Group due to the diverse array of events and locations we serve. The constant variety and excitement inherent in our work keeps things fresh and exhilarating for her.

In early 2023, Susan’s outstanding performance in executing numerous events propelled her to the position of Director of Event Operations. Susan’s strong work ethic and dedication have made her an invaluable member of our team. As the Director of Event Operations, she assumes the responsibility of supervising and scheduling our exceptional front-of-house team. With her extensive expertise and unwavering commitment, Susan ensures the seamless execution of our events, and we consider ourselves fortunate to have her leading our l team.

Frankie Comin

Event Manager

Can’t live without: My big, loud, loving Italian family and making dinner with my boyfriend.

Francesca pursued her passion for event management by attending Chico State, where she earned her degree in the field. While still in college, she embarked on her journey in the wedding industry as an intern. Over time, she worked her way up to become an Event Manager, continuously carrying the same level of enthusiasm for each event as if it were her very first.

When Francesca joined EBCG, she was initially struck by the team’s professionalism and unwavering dedication to every event. However, she soon discovered that her experience with the company went far beyond that. At EBCG, Francesca found a supportive environment where she is treated like family. This sense of belonging and camaraderie has enhanced her work experience and further fueled her passion for delivering exceptional events.

Francesca’s journey with EBCG has been one of personal and professional growth, and she continues to approach each event with the same zeal and commitment. Her dedication, combined with the support and familial atmosphere within the company, contributes to the extraordinary experiences provided to clients.

We are honored to have Francesca as part of our team, and we value her passion and enthusiasm for creating memorable events.

Charlene Corrigan

Event Manager

Can’t live without: My family and friends, anything Disney, dogs (not that I currently have any), bread, sunglasses, and purses

Charlene knew from an early age she wanted to be a Wedding Planner. With that career in mind, she attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, obtaining a degree in Meeting and Event Management. After gaining valuable experience working for a variety of companies and Event Venues, Charlene is happy to make Events by Classic Group her new home.

Her favorite aspect of her work is witnessing the joy and satisfaction of her clients as they enjoy their events, knowing that she played a pivotal role in making it all happen. Additionally, the team of talented individuals she has the privilege of working with every day is something truly special. Being part of a workplace where everyone genuinely enjoys what they do makes a world of difference. And let’s not forget the amazing food, which adds an extra bonus to the overall experience.

Charlene is thrilled to embark on this new chapter with Events by Classic Group, where she can continue pursuing her passion for event planning and collaborate with a remarkable team. Together, they will create unforgettable experiences that leave clients with cherished memories.

Makenna White

Event Manger

Can’t live without: My family and pets, the mountains, skiing, international travel to visit my extended family, and curling up with a good book!

Makenna’s passion for events and weddings has been a driving force in her career aspirations since a young age. To follow her passion, she pursued a degree in business administration with a specialization in wine strategies at Sonoma State University, aiming to carve a path into the events sector of the industry.

Her event-focused background and education made her an ideal fit for EBCG, where she began as an event production assistant. Demonstrating a remarkable level of attention to detail and unwavering dedication to the team, Makenna quickly advanced to the position of event manager.

Marisol Rodriguez

Event Production Assistant

Can’t live without: God, Family, Friends, Music concerts and going on outdoor adventures with my dog Faith.

Marisol’s hospitality journey spans over a decade and has provided her with many fulfilling experiences. Her path began as a busser at Events by Classic seven years ago, leading to an Event Captain role. This trajectory fostered her dedication to crafting impeccable event experiences with service excellence.

Throughout the years Marisol has cultivated deep professional relationships and consistently delivers unique experiences tailored to each venue. She values the privilege of contributing to the company’s growth, which regards her as family and nurtures personal development.

Helen Klimas

Finance Assistant

Can’t live without: My faith and Jesus, Spending time with my husband and daughter, Nami our golden retriever.

As a Finance Assistant Helen provides essential support to the Director of Finance and her co-workers. She ensures the seamless and accurate execution of various accounting duties, including accounts receivable (A/R), accounts payable (A/P), payroll, invoicing, and problem-solving. Helen considers herself blessed to have the opportunity to work for the Events by Classic Group, where she can contribute to the organization’s success.