Meet The Team
Society Offices Association Management Company is a small business with full-time staff members and a host of partners with whom we collaborate to ensure the most professional events and management of our client associations. Find out more about each of our team-members below and review our Client Services Prospectus on the Services webpage for more information.
Marianne Van Wagner
Owner & Executive Director
Society Offices AMC was founded by Marianne Van Wagner, who has been in the meeting/society management business since 1989, involved in academia for over 15 years, and is an accredited travel agent. She has personally administered over 40 well-organized and financially successful scientific conferences in the United States and abroad. Her background includes roles as the editorial assistant for four scientific journals spanning six years, legal secretary, and a continuing education instructor for 11 years. She is also an accomplished semi-professional photographer and uses those skills to assist association clients.
Dawn Stafford
Events & Marketing Manager
With an extensive background in office management and customer service, Dawn's training in software products provides excellent support for the day-to-day business. Dawn is a Certified Professional Virtual Event Planner. Her friendly personality also provides excellent support for onsite events. Dawn enjoys 5K runs, fishing and spending time with family.
Marcy Crane, CPB, RTRP
Certified Public Bookkeeper & Tax Preparer
Marcy Crane, with Crane-Quist Ventures, has partnered with MVW Advantage to assist with the bookkeeping and tax services of our clients. Marcy has over 15 years of experience in the accounting field, receiving her education at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She is licensed through the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers and is a registered tax return preparer with the Internal Revenue Service. During the off season, she enjoys spending time with her husband, family and small farm.
Brian McNerlin
Sales/Marketing
Brian is a business development specialist with a background in the medical field. His focus is on increasing revenue, member satisfaction and retention and growing organizations based on their goals. His certifications include: Emergency Medical Technician, EMT-B Emergency Medical Technician, EMT-B BLS for Healthcare Providers, Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.), Private Pilot, “Skywarn” Weather Spotter. He has a long history of community service and is currently a volunteer with the Alamo Area Community Emergency Response Team and is a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children (CASA). In his spare time, he loves to fish and hunt.
Matthew Simms, MBA
Sporting Events/Business Development
Matthew is an experienced business development specialist with more than a decade involvement in event planning. As Executive Director of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association, Simms works to develop events and conventions to advance the association and its cause. From 2007 to 2017, the association saw capital growth of almost 25 times. He holds an MBA from the College of William & Mary.
Claudia Brennan
Meeting Professional
As an energetic and self motivated professional, Claudia brings more than 20 years in event planning and hospitality. She is an experienced leader who has spearheaded countless events including, but not limited to, two Super Bowls, a 20,000-person product launch at Marlins Park (Florida), a 10-city consumer road tour, and multiple seminars, tradeshows, business meetings and incentive programs in major cities throughout the U.S., Caribbean and Europe. Claudia was president of her own event company for more than 8 years where she mastered the balancing skills of event production and corporate communications, from conceptualization, budgeting, venue selections and contract negotiations to sales, execution and post analysis. Her experience enables her as an industry leader.
David Killian, RPh, MBA
Sporting Events/Pharmaceutical Liaison
Since 2012, David has been the Tournament Director of The Philadelphia Open tennis tournament. In addition, he is on the Federation of Gay Games board and has been instrumental in planning the 2014 Gay Games in Cleveland, 2018 Gay Games in Paris, and the 2022 Gay Games in Hong Kong. David is also on the Executive Advisory Board for Connect Sports as well as the Connect Sports LGBTQ Task Force. David has been a licensed Pharmacist since 1993. While completing his MBA, David transitioned to the Generic Pharmaceutical space, gaining knowledge in the drug regulatory process, patent law, new product selection, and financial evaluation. David is a great resource with his extensive knowledge and experience in virtual meeting platforms.
Lisa A. Stewart
Incentive Travel and Events
Lisa joins our team with 35+ years expertise in the incentive travel marketing and hospitality industry. She has worked with Maritz Travel Company, and founded her own incentive, marketing and event planning company. Special event and incentive clientele have included Ford Motor Company, Miller Brewing Company and Eli Lilly. Destinations reach from local meetings and events to African safaris and Super Bowl programs. Recently relocated to Texas from Southern California, Lisa enjoys horseback riding, skiing, cooking, dancing and travel.
Michael Van Wagner
Event Coordinator
Michael has a vast background in hospitality, which includes association meeting planning, on-site administration, hotels (banquets, housekeeping, front desk), and human resources. His passion is for travel, athletics and mentoring youth. He currently teaches hospitality-related courses to high school students and coaches football and track.
Alida Garcia
Office Support
Alida's experience as program and camp director for a variety of organizations, combined with her excellent organizational skills and focus provides quality office support for our organization. When not working, she loves spending time with her family and dogs.
Chelsea Carter
Office Assistant
Chelsea is currently a college student pursuing a degree in nursing. Her background in customer service related employment, excellent language, computer and design skills make her an asset to our organization. She is trained in the MemberClicks Association Management software which we utilize for our member organizations. She is family-oriented and has over ten years in volunteer organizations.