About Us

At CSI, creating an exceptional destination program or unique event experience always starts with the client. We listen, acknowledging that the type of outstanding events we’re known for don’t just happen; they are the result of understanding our clients’ goals and responding to their needs. We blend this with our top notch team work, innovation, creativity and experience. At CSI, we take the same care of a single coach move as we do of a multi-tiered program. Our clients know from day one that their CSI team is focused on ensuring their program success at every level. From this position, we create exceptional experiences every time.

For employment and internship opportunities, please send your information to info@csi-dc.com

David Hainline, Chief Executive Officer

As an owner and CEO of Capitol Services Inc., David brings diverse experience to his role. Formerly, David spent 16 years in the broadcasting industry, where he sold and managed national accounts totaling over 12 million dollars for Infinity Broadcasting. David served in a leadership capacity within many prestigious associations throughout the hospitality industry.

David was a member of the Leadership Committee of the Professional Conference Management Association, served on the Annual Meeting Committee of the Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association, chaired the Marketing Committee of the DMC Network, and sat on the Tourism Committee of the Washington, D.C. Convention & Tourism Corporation. He presently serves on the Bowling Green University Alumni Board.

“My favorite place in D.C. to bring an out-of-town guest is the rooftop of the Kennedy Center.”

Amberlee Huggins, President

Amberlee is President of Capitol Services, Inc. With a highly successful track record in global event management and business growth, Amberlee brings a wealth of experience to her role. Beginning directly out of college by developing her own profitable business in Australia, Amberlee then traveled extensively before diversifying and moving into the events arena. Since coming to Washington D.C. in 1999, she has successfully organized a broad range of multi-tiered conferences, special events, meetings, exhibits and VIP specialty programs throughout the world. Locally, clients have included AARP, ExxonMobil, Microsoft, Toyota, The Credit Union National Association, the American Bar Association and the Society of Government Meeting Professionals.

Together with David Hainline, Amberlee is directly responsible for business strategy and company performance. Amberlee earned her MBA, and is an integral part of the CSI executive team. She currently sits on the Association of Destination Management Executives International Board of Directors (2013-2014).

Amberlee’s passion for excellence is evidenced in her hands-on management of CSI’s Account and Event Management teams and is considered a driving force behind the company's commitment to client service and award-winning programs.

“What originally brought me to D.C. was love… I stayed, and fell in love all over again!”

Tom Hubler, Vice-President - Strategic Client Relationships

Prior to joining Capitol Services, Inc. Tom served as Vice President, Sales Americas for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts since 1999. He was responsible for spearheading the company¹s expanded efforts in The Americas and in all relevant market segments relative to group, incentive sales, individual business travel and travel industry sales. Tom has actively served in MPI and PCMA on the Chairperson¹s Advisory Committees and Board of Trustees. He currently resides on Starcite Advisory Board. Born in Indiana, Tom graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Hotel Restaurant Institutional Management.

“There are so many interesting and unique hotels and resorts in Florida, I love to see the updates, the creative touches, the service. I’m often impressed from the moment I walk in the lobby."

Alayna Alariana, DMCP Senior Account Manager

Alayna has worked in the event planning industry for over 25 years-and loves it! She joined CSI after relocating from Lake Tahoe/Reno. She has mastered all aspects of Destination management, Incentive, Corporate, Meetings, Special Events, VIP and Transportation Logistics. Alayna holds a DMCP certification, destination management certified professional since 2005, is currently the 2012 secretary for the ADMEI Certification and Accreditation Board. Most notably, Alayna is the co-author of the 2011 ‘Best Practices in Destination Management’ industry text book. Alayna’s drive for excellence and dedication is clearly appreciated by her clients, including Thomson Reuters, Carlson Hotels, BDO, Blackbaud, Business Professionals of America, Penn Mutual Life Insurance, BP America, Verizon, and Wells Fargo.

“My favorite time spent outside of work is exploring the universe with my son, and the search for a fabulous red wine.”
Cathy Beckett Operations and Staffing Manager

During her seven years at CSI, Cathy has had several roles. Beginning as an Event Manager, she moved into her current position as Staffing Manager. Cathy manages the staffing logistics for sometimes up to twenty programs in a week. No matter how intense the workload, Cathy is known for getting it done with finesse and a smile. Cathy received the 2011 Tourism Industry Contribution Award for Outstanding Service presented by The Guild of Professional Tour Guides of Washington DC. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from George Mason University. “I am most proud of being a mother and a wife.”
Audrey Besnier Senior Event Manager

Audrey began her career in the events industry in 2003 - first in France and then CSI. Audrey’s thoughtful, creative approach underline her main areas of expertise working with hotels, meeting management, special events, VIP tours and event logistics. Through the years Audrey has developed excellent relationships with clients, including Abbott Labs, Deloitte, US Navy and Georgetown University. Audrey received her Bachelor’s degree in Communications and is also fluent in French and Spanish.

“I came to the U.S. because I love traveling and experiencing new cultures. I just wanted to experience something new and different. It’s not really new and different anymore but I still like it!”
Daniel Blair Event Manager

Daniel began his career in event planning at CSI in 2010. Daniel’s main areas of expertise are in transportation, meeting management, dine-arounds and tour management. Daniel has quickly gained experience and fosters relationships with clients through his strong client service and sense of excellence. Recent clients have included Boeing, MetLife, Pal-Tech and US Bank. Daniel studied Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Management with a Minor in Leisure Studies from Kent State University.

“My favorite place in the D.C. area to have an event is Mount Vernon, where I am a member of the Friends of Mount Vernon.
Stephanie Campbell Senior Account Manager

Stephanie brings 16 years of event planning experience in the D.C. area to CSI, and a comprehensive knowledge of meetings, event planning, production coordination and tradeshow management. Driven by excellence, operationally Stephanie has managed all aspects of meeting and event planning including off-site venue selection, catering management, printed marketing & conference materials, décor, media relations, audio visual arrangements, production design, entertainment, transportation and registration management. Past clients have included GSA, Fujisawa Healthcare, Medtronic, Cincinnati Insurance Companies, Goodwill Industries, Pfizer, IBM, and Gallaudet University.

“My families’ philanthropic endeavors center on the local charities of Southern Maryland where I was raised and in Calvert County where we now live is one of my proudest achievements. I volunteer with our local non-profit school, the church, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and our community hospital offering event planning services; fundraising ideas and support; and usually manual labor to projects.”
John Carman Accounting Department

John has over 26 years of accounting experience. Overseeing the CSI accounting department, John is core to the company’s fiscal administration and an advisor to the executive team. John passed his CPA exam in 1987 and received a Bachelors of Science in Accounting from Virginia Tech University.

“My favorite activities are playing golf, coaching son’s baseball, attending Nationals games and going to The Homestead with my family.”
Robin Edgemon Senior Event Manager

Robin has over 14 years of experience in the event planning industry and has been a member of the CSI team since 2005. With her undeniable flair for handling complex logistics, Robin’s main areas of expertise are tours, galas, fun runs, scavenger hunts, concerts and sporting events. Aside from her professional aptitude, Robin’s clients and colleagues often appreciate her warmth, candor, and wicked sense of humor. Robin’s recent clients have included New York Life, Verizon Wireless, Wells Fargo, LivingSocial, US Bank and Chick-fil-A.
“I have two things I’m proud of achieving: I have completed two 3-day 50 mile walks for the MS Society and I’ve been working with the society since 2001 to fundraise - I’ve raised over $50,000 for them, and I also co-chaired the development of a new walk location for the annual MS Walk.”
Rachel Fricke Business Development Manager

Rachel has been employed in the hospitality industry since 2008, joining CSI in the Spring of 2012. Her previous experience in hotel management has made her a valuable asset as we develop relationships with hotel properties in the Washington/Baltimore metropolitan area. Rachel received a BA in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations at George Mason University.
“The first event I ever created and operated was the 2007 Clifton Wine Festival which has, since then, become an annual event!”
Baptiste Fruchart-Laforet Graphic Designer

Baptiste brought his creative touch to CSI in 2009, supporting CSI’s clients’ design requirements as well as our internal marketing materials. Wearing several hats, Baptiste lends his considerable multi-tasking skills and sense of fun to the design department and office administration. Baptiste is fluent in French and Spanish. Baptiste received a double Bachelor’s degree in communications as well as an M.A in Communication Arts with a concentration in Media Management.

“My favorite after-work activity is the inexhaustible restaurant scene in DC.”
Trish Gambarelli Product Development Manager

Trish joined CSI in 2011, quickly hired after demonstrating top notch creativity and a natural aptitude for research, development and marketing. As part of the Product Development Team, her main responsibilities are research, creative content, vendor relations, marketing materials, and website administration. Trish also provides event and meeting management support for the CSI team. Trish received a Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree in International Marketing from Radford University.

“Something I am proud of achieving is the summer I studied abroad in Australia and jumped out of perfectly good airplanes.”
Amanda Healey Account Coordinator

Amanda is originally from Birmingham, Alabama. She has always loved the city of DC so when she was given the opportunity to work at CSI in August of 2012, she could not say no! As an Account Coordinator her main responsibilities include working directly with clients on their programs, assisting them through the planning process, and ensuring they are pleased with the final outcome. She also assists her colleagues in managing CSI programs on-site. She has a passion for travel and loves to read. She attended the University of Alabama where she studied Hospitality Management with a concentration in Meeting and Event Management.

“My favorite place to have an event in DC is The Library of Congress; the stunning architecture is truly one of a kind!”
Maggie Hogan Senior Event Manager

Maggie has over 13 years of event management experience with non-profit and corporate clients. Her ability to communicate effectively, determination to succeed, and her insistence on achieving the highest standards contribute to her continued success in event management. Her ability to manage multiple projects, simultaneously and seamlessly have made her an asset to CSI.
To date, Maggie has managed a wide range of events from small, high-level executive meetings to large scale events for several thousand attendees. Her clients have included Allstate, California State Automobile Association, Volvo, Anheuser-Busch, Royal Bank of Canada, CHF, Carlson Worldwide, Wells Fargo, PriceWaterhouse Coopers, Wolters Kluwer, Gaylord National, Maritz Travel, Penn Mutual Life Insurance and MetLife. Some key programs include The Restoring Honor Rally in 2010, the Volvo Ocean Race of 2006, Governor Warner’s Inaugural Weekend and the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics in conjunction with JetSet Sports.

“If I weren’t an event planner, I would be a chef.”
Sue Jeon, CMP, DMCP Director of Operations

Sue is an integral member of the CSI team, having worked in various divisions handling multiple key accounts. Her warmth and professional aptitude, coupled with her fifteen years of experience in the events industry, underscore Sue’s vital position within the CSI team. Most notably, Sue’s industry experience is well-rounded with international conferences, corporate and association events, government meetings, large-scale productions, city-wide festivals and expos, awards galas and fundraising events. Her clients include CUNA, Edward Jones, UPS, AARP, CITGO and USA Science & Engineering Festival. She brings the same satisfaction and devotion to her clients whether they are K-12 students on a school excursion or top executives and dignitaries on a high-profile meeting. Sue has earned her CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) and DMCP (Destination Management Certified Professional) designations in 2007. She also has received multiple industry awards including the 2011 ISES Capital Award, 2011 ISES Esprit Award, 2012 Special Events Gala Award and 2012 ADME Achievement Award. Sue received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Michigan State University and is also fluent in Korean and Japanese.

“My proudest achievements are speaking three languages and volunteering with March of Dimes.”
Gabi Krueger-Winther Senior Event Manager

Gabi has actively been a part of the events industry for over seven years, most of which has been with CSI. Gabi’s main areas of expertise are special event management, meeting management, and tradeshow management. Gabi’s natural logistics bent, and unwavering drive to meet or exceed client expectations are renowned. Clients have included Campbell’s Soup, BI, Ameriprise and BAE Systems. She received the 2011 ISES Capital Award for “Best Corporate/Public Event- Budget Less than $75K for ‘Ready, Set…Sail!” Gabi received a Masters in Business Administration specializing in Tourism and Hospitality and is also fluent in German.

“My proudest achievement is being a first time mom in 2012.”
Jennifer Lindeblad Director of Business Development

Jennifer has been a member of the CSI team for over five years. Her role within the company is diverse, and she contributes her expertise in handling business relationships across key accounts, hotel partnerships and customer relations. Jennifer’s candor, sense of fun and professionalism is matched only by her clear dedication to CSI external relations. With a background in hotel operations and convention sales, Jennifer spent over seven years with Hilton Hotels prior to joining CSI. Jennifer is a graduate of Johnson and Wales University with a Hotel and Restaurant Management degree.

“I love the Jefferson Memorial for its amazing views of the Cherry Blossoms during the Spring and the beautiful colors in the Fall. It also happens to be where I got married!”
Lyndsey Martinelli Director of Sales

Lyndsey has an extensive operational background and account management expertise specializing in programs for Fortune 100 companies and top incentive houses. She has planned large events with over 2,500 people for the Alamo Bowl and the Orange Bowl and small high end intimate dinners for 40 executives in exclusive locations such as the National Archives. Diverse and dynamic, Lyndsey is a multi-talented manager, having provided event planning services for a diverse range of clients including Volvo, CITGO, Lathem Watkins, Alzheimer’s Association, Wells Fargo and the wealthiest Jewish conglomerate in the world. Lyndsey’s dedication to her client’s needs and successful programs create a laundry list of return clients such as AT&T, Hilton Worldwide, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deliotte & Touche and Goodyear. On behalf of CSI, Lyndsey received the 2012 ISES Capital Award for Most Creative Solution for “Passport to Power” and was a finalist for its Corporate Event Budget More than $250K for “All the Presidents’ Porches.” Lyndsey graduated from Texas State University with a double major in management and marketing.

“If I wasn’t in this industry, I would be running a private specialty cake store in New Braunfels, Texas with my sister whose talent for custom one-of-a-kind cakes is second to none.”
Hillary Miko Senior Account Manager

During her five-year career at CSI Hillary has assembled a diverse collection of event management expertise by managing non-profit and corporate client accounts of all shapes and sizes. Hillary’s professional knowledge of all aspects of food and beverage, founded in a previous position in catering, coupled with her undeniable passion for all things new and fun to do in D.C., supports her position as a great resource and asset within the CSI team.

Hillary also lends her creativity internally, driving CSI’s social media content as part of a two person team. Some of Hillary’s recent clients have included Pepperdine University, the University of Chicago, American Gas Association, Exxon Mobil, Time Warner Cable, Recreational Fishing Alliance, Royal Bank of Canada and US Bank.

“My favorite place in D.C. to have an event is the Library of Congress. The architecture is breath taking!”
Mai Nguyen Event Manager

Mai recently joined CSI assisting with special events, trade shows/festivals, tours and transportation. Mai has gained valuable experience working on the 2012 Science & Engineering Festival and on the KEI Gala at the National Building Museum. Always ready to step in and help, Mai is already an asset to the CSI team. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University.

“I moved back to D.C. because I was offered the opportunity to work at CSI. That sounds so cheesy but it is true – I’d aspired for a career in event planning, and it was the “dream job” at the “dream company.”
Thayer Phllips Director of Transportation

Thayer brings over 25 years in high-level logistical planning to CSI. Thayer’s extensive travel and technology integration background has contributed to CSI’s flawless success with transportation logistical operations large and small. Exceptional as CSI’s hands-on Director of Transportation, Thayer brings an unflappable level of care to every transportation move. Notably, Thayer was responsible for the largest transportation move to date out of the Washington Convention Center. Thayer received a Bachelor’s degree from James Madison University.

“My favorite place in DC to have an event is Daughter’s of the American Revolution.”
Nicole Sager Staffing Coordinator

Nicole originally came to D.C. to work on Capitol Hill for the Arms Control and Foreign Policy Caucus. She assists with event staffing requirements at CSI, and diligently gets results; no matter how last minute the request. Nicole obtained a Bachelor’s of Administration from Kent University in England, also and a Masters in Peace Studies.

“My favorite place in D.C. to bring an out-of-town guest is the Thomas Jefferson Memorial and Tidal Basin.”
Joan Sitrin Accounting Department

Joan joined CSI with over ten years of accounting experience. Respected by vendors and the internal team for her diligence and patient manner, Joan is the key to ensuring the accounts payable division runs like clockwork. Joan received a Bachelor’s degree in Business with an Accounting concentration.

“Outside of work, I keep busy with my two kids and all of their activities- Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, baseball, soccer etc.”
Sara Sullivan Director of Product Development

Sara joined CSI’s Product Development team in 2004. Her primary responsibilities are to spearhead the research, development and creative services and products that best represent CSI as an innovator in the event planning industry. With her natural wit and dedication, Sara is charged with a cross-section of marketing responsibilities, from writing proposals to crafting our quarterly web blasts. Sara works closely with the entire CSI team as she is always on the lookout for the best new and exciting options to create unique client experiences in the region. In addition, Sara contributes her event planning skills at CSI by managing meetings, special events, tour programs and teambuilding activities. Past clients have included American Bar Association, BAE Systems, Council of Educational Facility Planners International, DuPont, Innovative Science Solutions, Merrill Lynch and ProFunds Advisors.

“I grew up in the D.C. area and, as a newlywed, convinced my husband that we should make it our home –I have never regretted our choice!”
Jake Wigglebutt Pack Manager

Jake joined the CSI team in 2012, having been rescued from a kill shelter in North Carolina. A Labrador/German Shepherd/Mutt mix, Jake’s primary responsibilities as Pack Manager include greeting office guests with a wiggle, managing time with the team for scratch opportunities, ensuring regular walks and to remind all that just about anything can be resolved if you are prepared to share your chew toy.

“I love to woof it up in D.C.!”