Meet the Conferences Staff

Paul G. Horngren, director of the Conference Division, joined the staff in 2002. Prior to his arrival, Paul was the director of the Gruenhagen Conference Center at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and the director of Housing and Residence Life at Eastern New Mexico University.

Paul earned his bachelor’s degree in agriculture from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and his master’s degree in college student personnel from Eastern New Mexico University.

Paul is an active member of the Association of Collegiate Conference and Events Directors-International, Association of College and University Housing Officers, Meeting Professionals International, and the Religious Conference Management Association.

In January, 2000, Paul earned his Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation. This certification stands for demonstrated high standards of proficiency in meeting management as demonstrated by substantial professional experience and superior examination performance.

In his leisure time, Paul enjoys gardening and the frustrating game of golf. He is married and has three children.

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Ed Keller, conference coordinator, joined the Conference Division in March, 2006. Prior to joining the Conference Division, Ed was employed as the Assistant Events Manager at the Purdue Memorial Union for over 5 years, coordinating events in a wide variety of markets including academic, corporate and social. Ed also has worked at The Ohio State University and Purdue in their Housing and Food Service operations.

Ed received a bachelor’s degree in Restaurant, Hotel and Institutional Management from Purdue University in 1990. Recently, Ed joined the Association of Collegiate Conference and Events Directors-International.

In the past, Ed has planned a wide variety of events including over 500 wedding receptions and related wedding events, the record being 9 in a single weekend!

Ed lives in West Lafayette and when not working, he enjoys antiques, his two cats, gardening and travel.

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Tom Robertson is a senior conference coordinator in the Conference Division. He has worked in the Conference Division since 1983. Prior to joining the Purdue staff, Tom was a teacher in the Benton Community School Corporation.

Tom has his bachelor’s, master’s and educational specialist degrees from the Purdue University School of Education.

Tom is active in a number of professional organizations: University Continuing Education Association, Association of Continuing Higher Education, Indiana Association of Adult and Continuing Education, and Phi Delta Kappa Educational Honorary. He also serves on the executive board of The Wesley Foundation at Purdue and on the foundation board for his local Kiwanis Club.

Tom and his wife live in West Lafayette. They have two married children and two grandsons.

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Nona J. Schaler, a senior conference coordinator, has been with Purdue University since 1990, and joined the Conference Division in 1994. She has coordinated events with 25 to 4,000 attendees.

Nona earned a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and is a member of the Association of Collegiate Conference and Events Directors-International and the University Continuing Education Association.

In August, 2003, Nona was awarded the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation. This certification stands for demonstrated high standards of proficiency in meeting management as demonstrated by substantial professional service and superior examination performance.

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Beth Scharf has been employed by Purdue University since 2000. A Maryland native, she graduated from Frostburg State University with a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Business Administration. She has served as a Conference Assistant since 2001 providing support services and conference coordination. Beth is a member of the Association of Collegiate Conference and Events Directors-International and is the advisor to the Purdue Belly dancers. When she's not spending time with her husband and son, Beth enjoys taking dance at the Morton Community Center.

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Kim Stockment, conference coordinator, joined the Conference Division in January 2007. Kim had been previously employed as a Regional Representative with FBi Buildings, Inc. in Remington, Indiana. While there, she gained experience in event planning as the Tradeshow Administrator, overseeing 13 tradeshows in four major market segments.

Kim earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture communication from Purdue University. As a student, Kim experienced her first insight to event planning, as a member of the Purdue Ag Council, Ag Ambassadors and the Purdue Grand Prix Foundation. Each of these organizations gave her a better understanding of time management, creativity and attention to detail.

Kim is active in helping plan events & activities within the local community. She serves as an adult leader of her church youth group and is a Wish Granter with the Indiana Make a Wish Foundation.

Kim enjoys spending time with her husband, as well as hosting friends and family, trying new recipes, and spending time outdoors.

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Kathy Walters, conference coordinator, joined the Conference Division in February, 2003. Kathy had been previously employed as a supervisor of the Interlibrary Loan Office in the Purdue University Libraries. She has been with Purdue University as a full-time staff member since September, 1995.

Kathy holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Purdue University and a master's degree in library science from Indiana University.

Kathy is an active member of the Association of Collegiate Conference and Events Directors-International.

Kathy also plans events from a different perspective, as a professional mobile disc jockey with a local company since 1992. Kathy helps clients further plan their events as part of the disc jockey services.

Kathy’s hobbies include reading, camping and spending time with her numerous nieces and nephews. She is also a volunteer for numerous events at her church.

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John Wellman, associate director, has been with Purdue University for 22 years including 18 years in the Conference Division. Prior to joining the Conference Division, John worked in University Residences. John has also served as the Division’s Business Analyst for the implementation of the department’s registration and financial system.

John has a Bachelor of Science in psychology, with a business minor and a Master of Science in college student personnel (both from Indiana State University in Terre Haute).

John is married and enjoys traveling with his wife.

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Erica Wilson, conference coordinator, joined the Conference Division in September 2004. She brings to this department a strong background in the hospitality industry, with eight years experience in meeting planning and hospitality sales in Chicago.

Erica graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Communications in May 1994. She is especially proud of this accomplishment because she graduated alongside her mother, who received her Bachelor of Arts the same year.

Erica is a member of the Association of Collegiate Conference and Events Directors-International.

Erica is married, with one beautiful daughter, and she is an active volunteer with the Tippecanoe County Historical Association and the annual "Feast of the Hunter's Moon".

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Susan Xioufaridou is sales coordinator for the Conference Division. Susan brings experience to the Conference Division from her extensive background in the hospitality industry, as well as experience in event planning in her former employment with Scholastic, Inc.

Susan holds a bachelor’s degree from Purdue’s College of Liberal Arts and is actively involved in the community through various professional and service organizations including Meeting Professionals International, Lafayette-West Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, North Central Advertising Federation, Society of Government Meeting Professionals, and many more.

In her spare time, Susan enjoys chasing her young daughters, reading, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

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