Executive Leadership
Catherine A. Smith, cae
Catherine A. Smith, CAE, is the founder and CEO of Smith Moore & Associates. Catherine has more than 35 years of experience in association and nonprofit administration on local, state, national and international levels. Catherine founded Smith Moore & Associates after serving as the executive director of the California Special Districts Association (CSDA). She had always dreamed of opening the doors of an association management company and in 2006 that dream became a reality.
Catherine has presented at state and national forums, speaking on association management and governance issues. In 2000, Catherine received the Chair’s Award for exceptional service from the California Society of Association Executives (CalSAE).
She graduated from the University of Toledo, Ohio, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations and from California State University, Sacramento, she earned a master’s in communications and public affairs. Her first exposure to the non-profit world was an a communications intern at the Toledo Humane Society. That experience set Catherine’s professional path to work with non-profit organizations. She never looked back.
Catherine received the prestigious Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) in 2000. Catherine was featured in an issue of ASAE’s Association Management for her successful management strategies for small staff associations. Catherine served on the CalSAE Board of Directors and was nominated for the CalSAE Executive of the Year Award. She currently serves on ASAE’s AMC Council Section and CalSAE’s Legislative Committee.
Carmen Berry
Carmen Berry is an account manager for Smith Moore & Associates. Carmen has provided years of high-level service to a multitude of nonprofit organizations since joining the Smith Moore & Associates team in 2014. Her extensive background in association management brings organization, direction, and strategy to the clients of Smith, Moore, and Associates.
Thoughtful and thorough, Carmen has become the go-to expert by association leaders and is renowned for her attention to detail and professional work product. Forward-thinking, Carmen keeps a creative eye on future opportunities for growth and rewarding challenges for both clients and herself.
Prior to her work in association management, Carmen learned the ins and outs of the California State Legislature as a staff member while earning her Associate degree from American River College. In her spare time, you can find Carmen dancing the polka at the local Sacramento Turn Verein and exploring other countries around the world!
Elizabeth Cardwell, CAE, CMP
Elizabeth Cardwell, Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and Certified Association Executive (CAE) is an account executive for Smith Moore & Associates. Prior to starting with Smith Moore & Associates in 2007, she worked in the Communications Office of the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs where she served as the assistant to the Public Information Officer. Since then, she has incorporated the knowledge and experience gained there into her varied positions throughout the years with Smith Moore & Associates. Elizabeth is now responsible for all aspects of her clients’ operations, including board governance, administration, budget development and membership recruitment and retention. She is also responsible for the planning and execution of all meetings and conferences for her clients including site selection, on-site management, hotel relations, program development, sponsorship generation and financial tracking. In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys decorating baked goods, and soaking in all things Disney.
Elizabeth has a bachelor’s degree in interpersonal communications from California State University, Sacramento. Elizabeth received the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation from the Events Industry Council (EIC) in 2012 and the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) in 2022.
Angela Kellogg
Angela Kellogg is SMA’s Office Manager. Not only is she a part of the leadership team, but handles the firm’s human resources needs, scheduling and assists with accounting tasks and reconciliations. She also helps guide the staff through their professional development needs and keeps the firm compliant the many mandates of a small business. Angela graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a Bachelor’s in Accounting and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA.) Angela has an extensive background of helping organizations with functions such as accounting, management and event planning. Prior to her position at SMA, she was a Supervisory Financial Analyst at the U.S. Forest Service and a supervisory accountant at a physician management company. Angela volunteers with with several non-profit organizations but her passion is providing youth with growth and leadership opportunities. Angela thrives when helping others and problem solving and brings those special skills and characteristics to SMA.
Leo Orozco
Leo Orozco is the SMA Accounting Manager with over 20 years of experience working in accounting. He has worked in a variety of industries from private, public and non-profit accounting. He has assisted on numerous events and conferences, along with working with a foundation, and various entities within the non-profit. He also was the point person in working with auditors during the annual audit. In his spare time, he enjoys coaching his daughters’ softball and soccer teams and currently serves on the board for Land Park Softball.
Audie Whitt
Audie Whitt is the SMA Communications Director. With experience in graphic and web design, he is responsible for providing clients with innovative publication designs and website updates. Audie serves as the liaison between the communications and IT departments to ensure the client’s brand remains cohesive. He earned a bachelor’s degree in studio art and served as a Captain within the CA National Guard for over eight years. Cultivating a blend of strategic leadership and planning skills, Audie is capable of taking on any design project no matter the timeline or breath of service.
Teri Anticevich, CMP
Teri Anticevich, CMP, is a partner in Smith Moore & Associates. She is a Certified Meeting Professional and a Member of the American Society of Association Executives, the Professional Conference Management Association, and the Society of Government Meeting Professionals. She has been in the hospitality industry for over thirty years in such positions as Executive Director, Association Manager, Convention and Visitors Bureau Director of Sales, and Hotel National Sales Manager. She has held prestigious industry board and committee appointments, including serving on the Convention Liaison Council’s CMP board of directors.
She has worked in every aspect of the industry! Her experience in meetings ranges from statewide meetings and events to national city-wide multiple day conferences. She has been working with many of her clients for over twenty years.
Teri is proud to be leading the meetings department of Smith Moore & Associates.
Marisa Villanueva, CMP
Marisa Villanueva, CMP, is a Meeting Manager. She is a graduate of the University of San Diego with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. She has focused her education in management and the event planning industry by receiving her certificate in Meeting Planning at San Diego State University as well as becoming a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and receiving her certificate in Virtual Event Meeting Management. In her spare time, she enjoys going to the beach with her family and traveling to Santa Cruz and Cabo San Lucas every year.
Finance Team
Krunal Sagar
Krunal Sagar is an SMA Accounting Assistant. He has completed his associate degree from Sacramento City College. He has been working in the accounting department for over several years now. His focus is on the monthly financials and yearly audit prep. He is extremely talented at the export/import functions of financial data between the data base and the accounting system. He assists the Accountants with Payables, does check deposits and month end Accounts Receivable reports for SMA Clients. He has become specialized in collection as well as he excels to ensuring that no outstanding balances are due to SMA clients.
Shawn Mann
Gursharan “Shawn” Mann is a highly detail-oriented professional with a strong background in accounting, operations management, and information systems. A graduate of California State University, Sacramento, Shawn holds a Bachelor's degree in Management Information Systems and Accountancy, earning consistent recognition on the Honor Roll and Dean’s List.
With over 7 years of hands-on experience across industries, Shawn has developed a deep understanding of financial operations, team leadership, and systems optimization. At HB Transportation Company, he successfully managed full-cycle accounting functions, including payroll, reconciliations, and financial reporting. His prior role as Operations Manager at Synergy Facilities saw him overseeing workforce scheduling, budgeting, and long-term financial planning while maintaining operational efficiency.
Najib Ghafari
Najib Ghafari is a highly experienced accounting professional with over 22 years of expertise in financial management, accounting, and administrative operations across both international and domestic sectors. He currently serves as Accountant II at Smith Moore and Associates (SMA), where he plays a critical role in maintaining the accuracy, integrity, and efficiency of the firm's financial systems.
Najib joined SMA in 2019 as an Accounting Clerk. His strong foundation in accounting principles, coupled with his keen attention to detail and consistent performance, led to his rapid advancement within the organization. In his current capacity, he is recognized for his professionalism, reliability, and commitment to delivering high-quality financial services.
Prior to his tenure at SMA, Najib held key positions with several prominent organizations, including USAID-funded projects (AWDP and BESST), KEEA, the United States Embassy, and Creative Associates International Inc. His diverse background has equipped him with a deep understanding of financial operations in both public and private sector environments.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management. His areas of expertise include financial reporting, budgeting, administrative coordination, monitoring and evaluation, and information technology.
Association Management
Delicia Beltran
Delicia Beltran is a graduate from California State University Sacramento with a Bachelor's degree in English and is part of the SMA team. With a work background in a variety of fields and years of college education she has developed great communication, grammar, organizational, and critical thinking skills. In her free time, she enjoys creative writing, reading fictional literary works, and roller skating with her dog, Levi.
Andrea Elliott
Andrea Elliott has an extensive background in customer service and business administration. Andrea is exceptional at setting and meeting goals to ensure business runs smoothly and efficiently. Her patience and determination are assets in dealing with stressful situations and bringing them to a successful close. Andrea has proven to be a valuable asset to the SMA team.
Melissa Feltz
Melissa Feltz joined Smith Moore and Associates in 2021 as an Account Coordinator. Melissa has a 10+ year history in the service industry where she carried out her knowledge for customer service and event planning. She graduated in the Spring of 2022 with an Entrepreneurship degree from California State University, Sacramento. Melissa is a hard worker who appreciates interpersonal relationships so you can expect her work to feel individualized to your exact needs. In her free time, you can find Melissa practicing yoga, cooking up new recipes or seeing a comedy show with friends!
Amanda Rae smith
Amanda Rae Smith is a Senior Account Manager at Smith Moore & Associates (SMA). She began her journey with SMA in 2015 as a receptionist and swiftly advanced to the role of IT Coordinator within five years. Throughout her tenure, Amanda has held various positions, gaining extensive knowledge in all aspects of association management. After a brief hiatus, she returned to SMA as an Account Coordinator and was soon promoted to Account Manager, then Senior Account Manager. In her current role, she oversees her client team to foster their professional growth and collaborates closely with Client Boards, providing expert advice and guidance.
Amanda’s passion for teaching is evident in her exceptional ability to train others on tools and resources. She is a strong leader and a thoughtful problem solver. Before joining SMA, Amanda worked in the fitness industry as a trainer and children’s gymnastics coach. In her free time, she stays active with cycling classes, enjoys video games, indulges in a good glass of wine, and loves spending time with her cats.
Brett Moore
Brett graduated from the University of Reno, Nevada in 2021 with a bachelors in Political Science. He has previously worked summers and special projects here at SMA as well as interning in Sacramento associations. He is passionate about helping members create change within their communities through connected and well-informed grassroots movements. When Brett is not occupied reading the latest bill list or discussing the latest social issue, he spends his time reading fantasy novels, hitting the gym, or playing basketball with friends.
Anton Cervantes
Anton Cervantes is an Account Assistant at Smith Moore & Associates. He's a versatile assistant who handles our clients memberships and contributes to client projects, events, meetings and conferences. He graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor's in Interdisciplinary Studies. He has a wealth of experience in customer service, event planning, and assisting in meetings for multiple industries. He believes that effective communication is key to fostering positive relationships and creating a welcoming and inclusive environment within an association. Anton's strong interpersonal skills and ability to convey information in a friendly and approachable manner translates into excellent member engagement and satisfaction for SMA.
Maggie Maue
Maggie Maue is an Account Assistant who has years of customer service experience and non-profit knowledge. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from UC Davis and interned for the non-profit Cool Davis during her time there. In her free time, she volunteers for the American Red Cross, performs for dance companies in the Sacramento area, reads, and goes on nature walks.
Paul George
Paul brings over six years of experience in account management and client services, with a strong background in administration, operations, and customer support. He strives to deliver a personalized, relationship-based approach to client engagement and ensures each interaction is tailored to individual needs. Outside of work, Paul enjoys practicing and teaching yoga, exploring the outdoors, and listening to podcasts.
Evelyn Meza
With both a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Meetings and Event Management from San Diego State University, Evelyn Meza brings a strong academic foundation and practical expertise to her role as a Meeting & Conference Coordinator. Based in San Diego and working remotely, she has been a valued part of the team for over three years.
Fluent in English and Spanish, Evelyn provides onsite support at conferences and oversees a wide range of logistical details—ensuring events run smoothly from planning to execution. Her background in high-end retail, front desk operations, banquets, and housekeeping has given her a deep understanding of service, precision, and flexibility in dynamic environments.
Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, mat Pilates, and exploring new restaurants.
SMA Launch
Design, IT & Communications
Sam Brown
Sam Brown joined Smith Moore & Associates in 2024 as SMA’s Senior Graphic Designer. He is committed to providing exceptional support for client’s marketing needs by creating consistent, high-quality collateral and special event branding. He's a UC Davis graduate with a BA in Studio Art. With over 20 years design experience in the public and private sectors, he brings a passion for visually compelling communication production. Sam is deadline driven and inspired by creative collaboration. In his spare time, he enjoys gardening and painting.
Jerry Mayfield
Jerry “JD” Mayfield joined Smith Moore & Associates in 2025 as the IT and Communication's Coordinator, operating under the propitious auspice of Audie Whitt and Amanda Rae Smith. Leveraging a combined history of technological expertise with a strong background in language and problem-solving to address technical issues and human needs, JD brings his experience in the IT and Communications venues to the table in order to augment all departments and personnel in operating efficiently and aligned with their personal best.
A graduate of Columbia College with a degree in Language Arts, and minors in Psychology and Computer Science, JD has been responsible for numerous organization's establishing and sustaining secure and reliable email delivery, and maintaining smooth and consistent operations across Windows workstations, servers, and Office 365 environments, as well as engaging process optimization and design solutions successfully bridging user needs with technical implementation in both the Administrative realm and the Web-Development arena.
When not actively battling to ensure the civil and functionary success of his compatriots, JD enjoys weekend-warrior status mountain biking with his kids, spending time outdoors, chanting in choir, and sharing his passion for human engagement and problem-solving beyond the office-- reflecting a commitment to both family and fellow embodying a balanced approach to life and work that encompasses and demonstrates the whole of his beliefs, motivation, and personal philosophy beyond technical prowess.