Gary Vlk

As a founding principal of One Smooth Stone, Gary brings foresight into the changing needs of clients that has allowed the agency to evolve from simply producing meetings to addressing organizations’ marketing challenges and leading them from strategy through execution.

As a musician (yes, he had 80s hair-band hair), Gary is attuned to the rhythms and arrangements inherent in all meetings and events, especially during the planning process. This background gives him the rare ability to lead logistically and technically complex programs, while also remaining a calming influence on those around him.

A recipient of an Ex Award from Event Marketing Magazine for best corporate virtual event, Gary regularly shares his ideas on the One Smooth Stone blog, whether discussing the power of the Grammy Awards or the branding of James Bond. Get to know Gary better on LinkedIn.

Stephanie Selig

With a wide range of event experience, Stephanie has been an invaluable part of our team for more than 15 years. She joined One Smooth Stone right from Columbia College. Growing up here has equipped her with the tools necessary to deliver impact and exceed client expectations.

Stephanie’s ability to easily grasp a project, blend seamlessly into any team, and efficiently multi-task makes her a favorite internally and among our clients. Her positive attitude and effortless flexibility enables her to quickly assess a situation and create powerful solutions in the most stressful environments. And if you ask her, she will tell you the birthday of every person who has ever worked here. Get to know Stephanie better on LinkedIn.

Mark Ledogar

Mark joined One Smooth Stone in 2000, coming over from SmithBucklin, where he was director of the tradeshow division.

Mark’s hands-on approach to strategic and creative message development, pre-event and on-site event production, presenter management and coaching, and team leadership positions Mark as a highly skilled and highly invested relationship manager for the variety of clients we serve.

And spirit of giving back serves as a model for us all. He’s the president of the Northwestern University Alumni Association and president of Seven Generations Ahead, a non-profit sustainable community organization. Get to know Mark better on LinkedIn.

Malinda Lynch

Malinda has a strong film and production background, as a producer of national television spots as well as live events. She’s also worked at the Sundance and Chicago International Film Festivals. Originally from Arizona, she has called Chicago home since 2004, where she attended Columbia College. When not working, Malinda loves going to the movies (favorite director is Paul Thomas Anderson). She is also a HUGE fan of Chicago’s own Billy Corgan, and calls Muzzle her favorite song. Get to know Malinda better on LinkedIn.

Steve Koppel

Steve joined One Smooth Stone in 1999, coming over from Edelman Public Relations, where he provided internal communication counsel to Fortune 100 companies.

During his tenure, he’s produced events in more than a dozen countries for organizations big and small. Steve loves the adventure of producing something from scratch. He says every client and every event is unique. “Whether it’s a ballroom filled with thousands of people, or a barrel room filled with wine, I love figuring out what’s possible.”

Steve’s not your typical event producer. His background in public relations and marketing has allowed him to provide value to message development and event communication strategies.

Steve shares his ideas regularly on the One Smooth Stone blog, where he discusses topics ranging from the state of the art in trade show booth design to improving your speaking skills. Get to know Steve better on LinkedIn.

Evelyn Yee

Evelyn joins us directly from Concordia University, where she graduated in 2017. Originally from Northern California, she loves exploring her new hometown. She also plays a mean Bassoon, so if you're looking for a Bassoonist to fill out your ensemble, hit her up! Get to know Evelyn better on LinkedIn.

Barb Sepulveda

Barb takes care of all of us Stonies. Among other things, she coordinates our travel, manages our shipping, and keeps the kitchen stocked! For nearly 10 years, she’s run a tight ship over here, giving us the support we need to produce exceptional programs for our clients. Get to know Barb better on LinkedIn.

Jonathan Williams

Jonathan came to One Smooth Stone from McDonald’s, where he produced events for more than seven years. Jonathan's music and theater background make him a natural in the live event industry. He’s a skilled media producer as well, and if you have any questions about Star Wars, Star Trek or Dr. Who, go no further. Get to know Jonathan better on LinkedIn.

Ken Haller

Prior to joining One Smooth Stone in 2002, Ken was vice president and director of production for Thinktank, an integrated marketing agency in Chicago. Throughout his nearly 30-year career, Ken has worked in broadcast television and radio, has worked with three presidents and produced and planned events in 30 countries.

A jack of all trades (and a master of a few, too), he possesses expertise that is as diverse as his background: global sales kick-offs, large incentive programs, countless press events, and the Summer Olympics. Today, he focuses his passion on working with clients to solve their communications needs through innovative and integrated event solutions. Ken has a deep footing with most traditional and non-traditional media and enjoys investigating diverse tools and solutions that best fit a client’s objectives. Get to know Ken better on LinkedIn.

Lisa Hultmark

Lisa works in our accounting department. The mother of five kids and nearly a dozen foreign exchange students through the years, she knows how to balance a budget.

Rachel Conrady

Rachel began her career at One Smooth Stone as an intern. When she graduated from Trinity, she joined the team full time and was integrated into several account teams. Playing competitive soccer for 18 years has given Rachel nerves of steel that keep her calm through any situation on-site. She’s also certified in CPR and First Aid, just in case…

Heather Koepke

Heather comes to us from McDonald’s Creative Services and Events Department, where for 14 years she worked on programs big and small. Her career in event production seemed pre-ordained, as her father also worked in the business for several years. At one point, she thought of becoming a chef, and even when to culinary school for a year. But, alas, the glitz and glamour of our world proved too hard to walk away from.

Tony Lorenz

Tony is a 28-year industry veteran with deep experience across the business event management landscape as a business owner, corporate executive, Board member, investor, and industry volunteer.

Tony joined PRA as CEO in 2016, in his most recent chapter as a driver of several business models and other changes in our industry throughout his career. In 2018, Tony led the acquisition of One Smooth Stone, now a PRA event and communication agency, and works with Mark Ledogar, who leads the One Smooth Stone team to grow this important business in PRA’s portfolio.

Tony is a graduate of the Owner/President Management (OPM) program at Harvard Business School and earned a BS in Accounting from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.

Brooke Thomson

Brooke is a strategic, outcome-driven experiential marketing professional with a solid history of success developing marketing initiatives that support client business objectives, while heightening brand awareness and competitive advantage. She is adept at communicating effectively and developing long-term relationships with clients.

She gets actively involved in the concept, creation and management of experiential programs.

When Brooke’s not traveling for work, she’s traveling for fun. She calls O’Hare her second home!