Kelli Mavrak, Senior Event Manager
Phone: 312-932-4308 | Fax: 312-787-6324 | Email: Kelli.mavrak@hilton.com
Kelli Mavrak brings eight years of hospitality experience to her position at the Drake Hotel. Having made her home at The Drake for the last two years, Kelli was quickly promoted to Senior Event Manager. Kelli heads a team of four, oversees group events with 200+ peak nights, and most VIP Conventions. Kelli's leadership extends to the Drake softball team, where she plays 2nd base and encourages co-workers to attend and support the team. With her fiancé, who is an active member of the US Army (recently returned from a 15 month tour in Iraq), Kelli spends her free time cooking, planning her Mexico destination wedding, and engaged in play-doh sessions with her two nephews.
Anna Surber, Event Service Manager
Phone: 312-932-4305 | Fax: 312-787-6324 | Email: anna.surber@hilton.com
Anna Surber brings to the Drake Team seven years of operations experience and three years of meeting planning. Anna studied in Thailand while pursuing her degree in Business Administration, majoring in Finance and Marketing with a minor in International Business. In 2006, Anna moved from Cincinnati to Chicago in order to be able to work in a larger meeting market, and joined Hilton that same year. When not planning an event for The Drake, Anna travels every opportunity she gets while fitting in time to jog or catch up on The Daily Show.
Julia Chovanec Event Manager
Phone: 312-932-4344 | Fax: 312-787-6324 | Email: julia.chovanec@hilton.com
Julie Chovanec has worked in hotels and restaurants for 12 years. Julie grew up in Chicago, and particularly enjoys water sports (having swum with wild sharks off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii). Julie has both a Hotel Management degree and an MBA, and has held diverse positions within the hotel industry, including bell stand, housekeeping, manager on duty, front office, restaurant supervisor, and event management positions.
Adam Korchek, Assistant Director of Sales
Phone: 312-932-4300 | Fax: 312-787-6324 | Email: adam.korchek@hilton.com
Adam Korchek has worked in the hotel industry for seven years, with extensive experience in sales. After graduating from Purdue University with a Bachelors Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM), Adam began his career with Marriott International. More recently, Adam was Senior Account Executive at the Renaissance Chicago Hotel. At The Drake, Adam's responsibilities include managing the Group Sales Team and handling the City Wide market.
Adam was recently married in Thailand, but claims to have many 'loves'. These include sports, fast cars, modern architecture, travel, and spending time with friends. He is also a self-described foodie.
Ken Kirsch, Senior Sales Manager
Phone: 312-932-4302 | Fax: 312-787-6324 | Email: ken.kirsch@hilton.com
Ken Kirsch has 27 years of industry experience, 19 of which were spent working with Hilton Hotels and Hilton International. A graduate of Michigan State University, Ken's distinguished career includes ten years in New York City, working at the Waldorf Astoria, New York Hilton, and the Hilton International Global Sales Office. During his time in Chicago, in addition to working at The Drake, Ken also worked with a communication/marketing event production firm for two years.
Ken's outside interests include cross-country and downhill skiing, hiking, and diving (he once dove the "Andrea Doria" wreck with famous "Deep Sea Detective", Jon Chatterton). Ken enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, with whom he pursues a variety of activities. He also loves to travel, and has visited almost all 50 states, as well as having traveled extensively in Europe.
Christie Gillespie, Sr. Sales Manager
Phone: 312-932-4324 | Fax: 312-787-6324 | Email: christie.gillespie@hilton.com
Christie Gillespie recently joined The Drake after 14 years spent with Starwood and Marriott Hotels. Her market segments include Midwest Corporate and Association, Canada, and professional sports. Her extensive hotel background has brought her into leadership positions in nearly every department in a hotel. Born and raised in Chicago, Christie started in the hotel industry as a Front Desk Agent while still an undergraduate. Later, she spent five years exploring the West Coast and working for Marriott in Los Angeles. Some of Christie's favorite things include seeing (and playing!) live music, Chicago pizza, watching the Bears, tennis and yoga.
Razaima Nogal-Claudon, Sales Manager
Phone: 312-932-4325 | Fax: 312-787-6324 | Email: razaima.nogal@hilton.com
Razaima Nogal-Claudon is always glad to help with groups of 10 guestrooms per night (up to 50 rooms). Razaima has 13 years of industry experience, and has a strong international and multicultural background. Ask her where she's from and Razaima won't hesitate: from the land of beauties... Venezuela! Although cold Midwestern winters aren't her favorite, Razaima loves the city of Chicago, and relishes her position working at The Drake.
Joanna Fack, Sales Manager
Phone: 312-932-4339 | Fax: 312-787-6324 | Email: joanna.fack@hilton.com
Joanna Fack began her career seven years ago working at the Front Desk at Hilton Frankfurt, before moving to the United States in 2002. After starting with The Drake, Joanna been steadily promoted, holding such positions as Night Supervisor, Event Manager, and Sales Manager. Her market segments: Pharmaceutical, West Coast Corporate, Germany, and 51+ rooms on peak.
Joanna loves Chicago for a host of reasons, including the lakefront, the people, the diversity, and the FOOD. She has finished the Chicago Marathon twice, and looks forward to do it again and again and...
