Board of Directors
MISTY COOLIDGE
VICE PRESIDENT & PHILANTHROPY
Misty is a 26 year wedding industry veteran, since she became a Notary Public, and has married hundreds of couples. At Black Tie Catering, she trained as a bartender, learning how to run events as a 'Captain' under Paula Cano. Misty followed Paula to her own company and worked as an assistant and day-of-coordinator. Misty started Maine Mixologists 13 yrs ago and started the venue Coolidge Family Farm 9 yrs ago, and most recently renovated Coolidge Chapel. ALong with Good Shepard Food Bank, she's been involved in running many community charity events, like 5ks. In the pageantry world since 2016 and is currently Mrs. Worldwide for the Worldwide USA pageant system, running the 'Helping Hands for Hunger' campaign and traveling the country working at various food banks #crushinghunger. Misty recently published a children's book called "We All Stir The Pot to End Hunger" which benefits Feeding America.
RENEE Strange-farnham
ADVISORY CHAIR
Born and raised in Fryeburg, Maine I was always the "planner" of the group. Even from a young age I was always organizing events to get lots of friends together for a good time. In 2008, I moved to Nebraska where my love of planning events grew into something I didn't foresee. Within the first year at the Offutt Airforce Base, Officers Clubs I went from Lunch Server to Catering Assistant and Bar Manager. Under the supervision of the Catering Manager I learned a wealth of knowledge that I take with me today, along with blossomed my own abilities as a planner and decorator.
In 2011, I moved back to Maine and have continued my search to find a place that shows my abilities and helps others make their dreams come true. In 2015 I married my husband, Doug and got to design/create our dream day- a true DIY! As the owner of Strange Events, over the years since I have brought on Coordinators, Bartenders, Staff and more- helping hundreds of couples have the best day of their lives! We enjoy helping couples think outside the box and bring dreams to reality!
Now, in 2022, I am a full-time entrepreneur and business owner. I am a member of the Chamber of Commerce in Oxford Hills, Maine Women’s Network- Androscoggin, NACE- Maine Chapter, along with donating my time for local groups.charities such as 5K races, Gala planning/fundraising, etc.
Nick EATON -
DIRECTOR OF HOSPITALITY
Nick is a photographer, videographer, and the creator of Life in Focus. He specializes in event wedding photography and videography in Maine and other parts of New England. In his spare time, Nick photographs the ocean as much as he can or goes for a swim. A fun fact- Astronaut Chris Cassidy showed a video of Nick’s in space!
JACQUIE WESTNEY -
DIRECTOR OF FUNDRAISING
Bio coming soon!
NICHOLAS Orgo
President
Owner of Bear Mountain Inn, Stella’s on the Square, and M.A.N.E. Catering
Nick is also the President of the Greater Bridgton Chamber of Commerce and enjoys giving back to the community.
Jason Strycharz
SECRETARY & Treasurer
Jason Strycharz is the owner of The Music Man DJ Service. His love of music started when he was 10 learning to play the drums. His love of music brought him through college, graduating with a degree in Music Industry from SUNY Oneonta in New York. He has been DJing for 10 years and has been professionally DJing weddings and parties since 2015. He now oversees more than 15 DJs with The Music Man DJ Service. He loves that he can blend his love of music with the vision of his clients to create the ultimate party.
Reuben Bell - DIRECTOR OF
MEMBERSHIP
Co-Founder of Blue Elephant Events and Catering, and co-owner of Real Maine Weddings magazine, Reuben began his career in event management in the museum and publishing worlds in Philadelphia before returning to Maine to open Blue Elephant in 2007. He enjoys guiding his clients through the event planning process and helping create unique experiences for their guests. Reuben is a past chair of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce, the Marketing Director of the Maine chapter of NACE, and a board member of the Institute for Family Run Business and Victoria Grant Mansion.
FAUSTO PIFFERRER -
DIRECTOR OF EVENTS
Co-Founder of Blue Elephant Events and Catering, LA Blue Wedding Brokers, and Co-owner of Real Maine Weddings magazine, Fausto began his career in catering and event planning 36 years ago in Philadelphia. He has an eye for detail and production and is passionate about creating high-quality memorable events for his wedding and corporate clients. Fausto is a past President of the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club, a member of the Leading Caterers of America, and a recent member of the board of directors of the International Caterers Association.
CHRISTINE PARKER -
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING
Bio coming soon!
ANDREW DOODY - WEBMASTER
Andrew Doody is the co-owner and saxophonist of Plush and has been in the wedding industry for 25 years. Andrew spent the first 20 years of his career as saxophonist with the Bob Charest Band. Originally from Millinocket and now residing in Westbrook, Andrew has also performed with the Maine Youth Jazz Ensemble, in which he toured Eastern Europe, the University of Maine Jazz Ensemble and the University of Southern Maine Jazz Ensemble.
PRIOR BOARDS
2022 NACE MAINE BOARD
* President - Katrina Petersen, Crooked Steeple Hall & 1812 Pierce House
* President Elect / Director of Education - Nicholas Orgo, Bear Mountain Inn, Stella’s on the Square, and M.A.N.E. Catering
* Secretary & Treasurer - Jason Strycharz, The Music Man DJ Service
* Director of Programs - Renee Strange Farnham, Strange Events
* Director of Community Service- Misty Coolidge, Coolidge Family Farm, Coolidge Chapel & Maine Mixologists, Mrs. USA Worldwide
* Director of Membership - Fausto Pifferrer, Blue Elephant Events & Catering, Real Maine Weddings
* Director of Marketing & Communications - Flatlanders Catering, Real Maine Weddings, & Fiddlehead Gifts & Florals
* Director of Hospitality - Reuben Bell, Blue Elephant Events & Catering, Real Maine Weddings
2021 NACE MAINE BOARD
* President - Katrina Petersen, Crooked Steeple Hall & 1812 Pierce House
* Vice President - Michelle Fratianne, Granite Ridge Estate
* Secretary - Priscilla Kelly, Beech Hill Barn
* Treasurer - Christine Parker, Flatlanders Catering, Real Maine Weddings, & Fiddlehead Gifts & Florals
* Director of Programs - Catie Fairbanks-Cliffe, Destination Maine Weddings
* Director of Membership - Fausto Pifferrer, Blue Elephant Events & Catering, Real Maine Weddings
* Director of Hospitality - Reuben Bell, Blue Elephant Events & Catering, Real Maine Weddings
2020 NACE MAINE BOARD - charter received
* President - Brittany Bugaj, Two Adventurous Souls
* Vice President - Michelle Fratianne, Granite Ridge Estate
* Secretary - Maria Northcott, Maine Wedding Network, A Sweet Start, & Stewart & Porter Travel and Priscilla
* Treasurer - Christine Parker, Flatlanders Catering, Real Maine Weddings, & Fiddlehead Gifts & Florals
* Director of Membership - Fausto Pifferrer, Blue Elephant Events & Catering, Real Maine Weddings
* Director of Programs - Katrina Petersen, Crooked Steeple Hall & 1812 Pierce House
* Director of Hospitality - Reuben Bell, Blue Elephant Events & Catering, Real Maine Weddings
2019 NACE MAINE BOARD - founding year!
* President - Brittany Bugaj, Two Adventurous Souls
* Vice President - Sarah Maurer, Stone Cove Catering & The 1812 Farm
* Secretary - Maria Northcott, Maine Wedding Network, A Sweet Start, & Stewart & Porter Travel
* Treasurer - Christine Parker, Flatlanders Catering, Real Maine Weddings, & Fiddlehead Gifts & Florals
* Director of Programs - Katrina Petersen, Crooked Steeple Hall & 1812 Pierce House
* Director of Marketing & Communications - Kaitlyn Martin
* Board Member Large - Jessika Brooks Brewer, French’s Point