Company Bios

Anna Chaney Willman, Owner/Operator
Joined Herrington in 1992

"I am passionate about parties. I love people and I love to see them having a great time. As a CPA prior to embarking on this great journey to create spectacular celebrations, I knew my calling was elsewhere. I am so fortunate to have found my passion and to be able to practice it at the most beautiful, Eco-Lifestyle Marina Resort on the East Coast."

Anna created Herrington on the Bay in December of 1992 as a restaurant and catering company. As a restaurateur, it became evident that Herrington on the Bay was a natural choice for special celebrations. Anna allowed Herrington to evolve into an eco-lifestyle special event and catering service after the first five years operating primarily as a restaurant.

Anna is a great communicator, enjoys meeting new people and learning about their special celebration needs. She is good at determining the best options for each client and creating a party package that best suits their wishes. Now, Anna spends most of her time with her management team members who take care of each client from start to finish. She works every day to provide the training and resources that each team member needs to best accommodate the guests’ needs.

Anna’s background includes years of restaurant work, catering jobs, working as a CPA in Washington D.C., selling boat slips for Herrington Harbour Marina Resorts, owning and operating a boat cleaning business, and finally, establishing Herrington on the Bay. As the owner and operator of Herrington on the Bay, Anna has been hands-on from the start. She was able to work every single position of the restaurant and the catering operation from dishwasher to General Manager. Now, Anna can fill-in for any position and enjoys the opportunity to work directly with clients during the Event Design process and also enjoys occasionally coordinating events during busy times.

When not in the office, Anna spends time with her three children, volunteers at their elementary and pre-schools, enjoys cycling, studies eco-lifestyle developments and food and beverage trends. Her newest project involves a local Farm at which she plans to grow natural fruits and vegetables to be served at Herrington on the Bay’s catered events.

Jodi Jackson, Catering Manager
Joined Herrington in 2003

"I was drawn to hosting at an early age. So now, overseeing these events comes very naturally. Something magical happens when people are having a great time in a great place… making that happen is very rewarding."

Jodi says her greatest satisfaction is creating a great experience for everyone who visits Herrington on the Bay. Jodi is fully dedicated to Herrington on the Bay’s vision to become the Best Eco-Lifestyle Event Design and Catering Service on the East Coast.  She manages the “Green Team” at Herrington on the Bay and determines the timing and implementation of Herrington’s ongoing green initiatives.

Jodi has been in and out of the hospitality industry, from restaurants to hotels to catering since her first job at the young age of 14.  Altogether, Jodi offers nearly 30 years in hospitality experience, which speaks for itself!

Jodi and her husband have two teenage sons who are fraternal twins and very talented musicians. They founded the rock band “Ground” at their high school, and have been finalists for two years in a row in Anne Arundel County’s "Battle of the Bands" competition. “Ground” was quite popular as the opening act for Herrington on the Bay’s Eco-Day Festival held October 19, 2008.

Jessie Klahr, Human Resources Director
Joined Herrington in 2004

"I am passionate about improving the training and recruitment of service staff, and keeping Herrington a great place to work. This ensures superb service to our clients. It is rewarding to manage events, and see our staff receiving so many customer accolades."

Jessie is our Human Resources Manager in charge of recruitment, hiring, training and scheduling. She also manages events at Herrington on the Bay for wedding clients, as event coordination is where she began her career at Herrington five years ago.

Jessie earned a BS degree in International Hospitality & Tourism Management from Lynn University in Boca Raton, FL. In college, she interned for ALSAC (American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities), which is the fundraising arm of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Upon graduation Jessie began working as a Convention Sales Assistant for the Washington DC Convention & Tourism Corporation (now Destination DC) and was quickly promoted to Conference Sales Manager.

In March 2004, Jessie married her husband, Allen at Herrington on the Bay. She enjoyed the wedding planning process so much that she decided that she would like to work at Herrington. She was hired as an Event Coordinator in July 2004 and has successfully managed over 150 events since then.

As Herrington on the Bay continued to grow, and the need to recruit and train hospitality experts increased, Jessie helped create the Human Resources position in the Fall of 2006. Jessie effectively manages Human Resources and works closely with the Operations and Administrative teams of Herrington on the Bay to provide extraordinary events for each and every guest at Herrington.

Kim Owens, Office Manager
Joined Herrington in 2004

"I am passionate about helping each client that calls, or walks through our door, and making sure they feel happy and comfortable. Making that kind of difference is very rewarding."

Kim Owens is Herrington’s Office Manager. Her job is easily described as customer service. She answer phones happily and efficiently, to ensure prompt service. Kim makes sure the needs of the clients are met, and even exceeded.

Kim started at Herrington as a server and worked events for 2 years. Kim learned the nuances of working the events which really has allowed her to understand the demands of our clients.

She then moved up to the office as the office assistant, where she learned the administrative aspects of Herrington on the Bay. Kim also served as concierge on the weekends, which involves greeting the customers for the first time and introducing them to Herrington on the Bay. Now Kim effecitvely manages the office, where her primary roles are to make sure the client’s needs are met and to ensure that the office is organized and well run.

Beth Prout Lennon, Event Designer
Joined Herrington in 1999

"I am passionate about people. I love taking care of our clients by getting to know them, understanding their specific needs and desires, and helping them create the special celebrations of their dreams."

Beth Lennon is Herrington’s most experienced Event Designer. In her 11th year at Herrington as an Event Designer and Coordinator, Beth offers her expertise to wedding, corporate, and social clients alike. She has designed over 700 events during her time at Herrington on the Bay. She enjoys creating a new and personalized event every single time!

A Communications graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, Beth is exceptionally well versed in customer service, hospitality, and special event design and production. Her clients at Herrington are always appreciative of her ability to listen and produce celebrations that meet their needs and budget.

During her time away from the office, Beth volunteers for several charitable organizations. Presently, she is the Assistant Director of the National Breast and Ovarion Cancer Connection (nbocc.org) and the Vice President and co-founder of the DeCesaris/Prout Cancer Foundation (dpcancerfoundation.org).

Beth has also planned and continues to organize such charity benefits as Championship Golf Tournaments, Walks, Relays, Happy Hours, Fashion Shows, and Women’s Health Expos. She really enjoys reaching out to those in need within the community. Most recently, the American Cancer Society honored Beth by bestowing the Regional Award for Excellence in Economic Development in Cancer Research. Mark McElrath of the American Cancer Society said of Beth’s work, "the effort she puts forward exceeds what most people do. It says something about her character."

Janice Loos, Event Designer
Joined Herrington in 2004

"I'm passionate about being thorough and making sure that our client's expectations are known and followed through to the last detail."

Janice Loos is one of Herrington’s premiere Event Designers. Janice began her career at Herrington in 2004 working as a Caterer on our special events and was quickly promoted to an Events Coordinator. Her excellent communication skills and talent in understanding client’s needs allowed her join the Event Design Team in short order. Janice is gifted in learning about a client’s desires and turning them into reality while always keeping in mind their budgetary needs.

When Janice is out of the office, she spends time with her two children who keep her active with sports, school, and musical endeavors! Janice is an active member of her church and has been involved in many community projects including fundraising, school beautification, and family campouts.

Prior to her career at Herrington on the Bay, Janice worked in public relations and became a stay-at-home mom when her sons were first born. Now, Janice is able to use her organizational skills and her passion for helping people to produce extraordinary events at Herrington on the Bay.

Stacey Hill, Event Designer
Joined Herrington in 2007

"I am passionate about food, wine, culture, and how they can be combined to create an extraordinary, very personal, meaningful celebration."

Stacey is an Event Designer at Herrington on the Bay who brings a corporate and social background to the Team. Stacey has had extensive experience in managing restaurants and providing all corporate catering for Northrup Gruman’s BWI location. Stacey enjoys pulling all of her culinary and hospitality management experience together to help each and every client realize their dream event.

Stacey has over 12 years of hospitality experience as well as having grown up in a family environment where celebrations are a regular occurance. After graduating from the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, she worked for Hyatt Hotels in Washington, D.C. in their Food and Beverage Department. She then managed Chili’s Restaurants in Northern Virginia and Maryland and worked her way up to Managing Partner. She then spent a few years building her skills and knowledge in the Catering field with Johns’ Hopkins Univeristy and Northrup Grumman.

Outside of work, Stacey is actively involved in her local school board, where her two young children attend grammar school. She assists on the hospitality and fundraising committees. She is also actively involved with her daughter’s local Girl Scout’s Service Unit, Boys and Girls Club, and she volunteers for her local food pantry. She feels that it is important for her children to be exposed to a variety of cultural experiences and diversity as they grow up.

Stacey very much enjoys working with a diverse group of social, corporate, and wedding clients who have a passion for food, fun, and successful celebrations. She thrives in learning about new cultures and allowing her clients to enjoy their family’s traditions as important aspects of their celebrations whether they are held at Herrington on the Bay or at their own home.

Krissy Myers, Event Coordinator
Joined Herrington in 2006

"I am passionate about the colors, the food, and the décor that are chosen by our clients and I thoroughly enjoy turning a space into their Vision. I like being responsible for running the event so that the guest of honor won’t have to worry about a thing!"

Krissy Myers joined our team in 2006 as an Events Coordinator. Krissy brings exuberance and high energy to our team backed by 13 years of experience in the hospitality industry. From positions in restaurants as a cook to a server to a bartender and manager, Krissy is well versed in excellent customer service. She seeks to please our clients over and over and surprises us all with her endless positive and giving energy.

Krissy is very excited about the Chef’s research and development of new cuisine. She enjoys working with the culinary team to ensure the most artistic and beautiful presentation of each and every item. "I’m a foodie at heart and the creativity involved in determining the best presentation possible is a fun part of my job here at Herrington."

Recently, Krissy has accepted the role of our in-house Design Expert. Krissy designs buffet arrangements, chooses new display pieces, and artfully decorates for Herrington’s showcase events.

When not working at Herrington on the Bay, Krissy spends time as a foodie with friends and family and enjoys quality time with her son, Hayden.

Katie Dickman, Event Coordinator
Joined Herrington in 2005

"I am passionate about wedding planning in general. I believe that your wedding day should be a time for you to enjoy yourself."

Katie Dickman joined Herrington on the Bay in 2005. She is an Events Coordinator and has managed over 100 events at Herrington. "I moved to Maryland iin 2005 from Portsmouth, NH, where I worked as a baker for eight years. After a few shifts at Herrington, I knew this was meant to be. Not only did I fall in love with the work, I fell in love with the Marina Manager!"

Katie designed, planned, and organized her own gorgeous wedding here at Herrington on the Bay. Katie likes to joke that her wedding took place during Hurricane Hannah and due to her expertise, the event went off without a hitch! "We were married in 2008 and I plan on continuing to help others experience the joy we felt on that day."

Katie really enjoys working with each client to understand their wishes. Once Katie has the knowledge of our brides and grooms needs and desires, she is able to orchestrate the wedding seamlessly and smoothly every time. Katie also coordinates a variety of events from reunions to company picnics to business retreats.

When not at work, Katie works in her garden and spends time with friends and family. She also volunteers her time to the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Coalition and the Decesaris-Prout Cancer Foundation.

Brittany Bergendahl, Event Coordinator
Joined Herrington in 2003

"I’m passionate about making clients happy and helping them to create wonderful memories at Herrington on the Bay. I am very excited to be a part of an environmentally friendly company who cares so much about preserving the Bay and the planet."

Brittany is an Event Coordinator who started her catering career with Herrington on the Bay in 2003 as a server. She climbed the ranks and became one of the youngest Captains at Herrington on the Bay only to quickly prove herself to be a strong leader, thus earning the position of Event Coordinator. Brittany celebrated her own wedding at Herrington and feels as though she can better relate to her brides and grooms and easily accommodates their various needs. Brittany is extremely organized and takes care of every detail for each event as if it were her very own.

An integral member of Herrington on the Bay’s Green Team, Brittany is responsible for organizing and coordinating the Herring Bay Eco Day festival, held every October at Herrington Harbour South. When Brittany is not at the office, she donates her time and skills to help with church events, such as the "End Hunger in Calvert County" Bike Ride/Fundraising event.

Brittany enjoys and excels in customer service as she has spent her entire working career in restaurants, floral shops and catering services. Brittany is certified in First Aid and CPR, ServSafe Food Sanitation and Safety, and BEST Alcohol Awareness.