Maureen Cloninger
Maureen graduated from Southern Illinois University in Hospitality and headed off to Las Vegas to start a career in events working in the social and convention market. She eventually found her way back to Illinois as the catering manager at Food For Thought. Maureen is your first experience with EEL and handles all our design proposals and maintains our social media. Maureen is always warm and attentive and will go the extra mile for every customer. Outside of EEL you will find Maureen raising her twins Hannah and Calvin.
Jay Sims
Jay graduated from Northwestern University in Engineering and started working as a wedding DJ on the weekends. This turned into a full time career in 2002 with Something 2 Dance 2 and then the beginning of Elegant Event Lighting in 2009. Jay retired from being a DJ and now is head of event sales at EEL and works in the field installing wedding decor all around Chicago. Jay has decades of industry knowledge and can help you with a lighting and decor design for your specific venue. Outside of EEL you will find Jay enjoying Broadway shows and running marathons.
Tamara Sims
Tamara graduated from Loyola University in Communications. Tamara has a long career being around Weddings from her 20 + years in the industry. Tamara is the heart and soul of EEL and instantly connects to everybody she meets. She is an active member of the Chicago Chapters of NACE, ILEA and WIPA. Outside of EEL you will find Tamara seeing plays and musicals all around Chicago and at times taking her husband Jay of 25 years along.
Jane Busila
Jane has Undergraduate and Master's Degrees in Public Administration. In these roles Jane honed her skills as a master of time management and attention to all the details; exactly what is required for her role at EEL. Jane also worked in her family business installing decor for weddings and events. Jane is the glue that binds all the departments of EEL to allow the executions of events. She handles all the crews and ensures all our gear is ready. Outside of EEL you will find Jane devoting her time to her husband and son.