About Us
Jayne Katz Ayers, President
Jayne Katz Ayers founded J. Ayers and Associates, Inc. in 1994 after developing her professional meeting and event skills -- working in both association and corporate meeting planning environments. Jayne has been responsible for maintaining and managing many of the first clients of J. Ayers & Associates, Inc. which are still clients today. Hard work, honesty and loyalty are Jayne’s guiding personal values . With over 29 years of experience, Jayne believes in honest, respectful, fair and clear communications with both clients and vendors. Jayne’s strengths include logistic management, contract negotiation, creating and executing successful solutions to meeting challenges, and exceptional customer service. Jayne's life is a constant balancing act between her son, husband, stepchildren, family and many close friends. Jayne spends her “free time” working with the Kenneth R Ayers Memorial Foundation--www.kennyayers.org--which was founded after her first husband, Kenny, passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer. The Foundation sponsors several events - raising money for an engineering scholarship at Virginia Tech, as well as other worthy and important causes. And, she remains a big supporter of Radford University, planning fund raising events that help support scholarships for current and incoming students. She was awarded the Outstanding Service Award and prides herself in her commitment to her alma mater.
Darlene Thomas, Meeting and Events
Darlene Thomas has worn many hats during her career--as a teacher, human resources manager and in the temporary staffing industry--managing multiple offices, special projects and meetings and events. Darlene specializes in housing, registration and extraordinary customer service. And, she divides her time (and money) equally between the University of Delaware and the University of Virginia - where both her children attend!!
Lisa Lee, Meeting and Events
Lisa Lee has been in the travel and meeting planning industry for more than 25 years. Lisa has extensive experience working with travel and incentive groups as well as association and corporate clients. Lisa is involved in both pre-planning and on-site management. Lisa is very involved in managing breakout meetings, food and beverage functions, managing headquarters offices and all logistics. When not working, you can usually find Lisa by a pool or in the cheering section on a softball field. As the mother of a teenage daughter, her life is never boring!!