“If you don’t ask, you don’t get.”
– My dad
Lenny started in the exhibit industry at age 19 as a custom fabricator and installer, and quickly displayed an aptitude for leadership. Almost immediately, he became the supervisor of a team of 30+ members. Later experiences as Production Foreman, Estimator, Purchaser, and Production Manager prepared him for his leadership role at Exhibit Network.
The reputation that Exhibit Network holds throughout the trade show industry is the direct result of Lenny’s passion for quality workmanship, innovation, and creative problem-solving. He holds himself and the employees to high standards of integrity and excellence.
Lenny is an avid outdoorsman who can be found fishing in Alaska, and hunting in Texas, Pennsylvania, and Namibia.
“Whatever you are, be a good one.” (attributed to Abraham Lincoln)
Kathleen Maartens, Co-founder and President, is responsible for running the day-to-day business side of Exhibit Network and for its fiscal integrity and accountability.
Kathleen has a lifelong desire for learning, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, followed by countless classes in Business, Accounting, and Real Estate. Kathleen is a 2012 graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, and she is close to completing a degree in Organizational Leadership at the College of Biblical Studies in Houston.
Kathleen’s focus at Exhibit Network is to integrate the functions of Sales, Operations, and Finance, to make sure everyone stays on the same page.
Kathleen loves to read. Her favorite book is “How Christianity Changed the World” by Alvin J. Schmidt.
“There are no limits. There are plateaus, but you must not stay there, you must go beyond them.”
– Bruce Lee
Joann Salazar, Operations Director, is a seasoned exhibit professional. Respected and admired by clients, show contractors, and the entire Exhibit Network team, Joann focuses on results and won’t quit until a problem is solved.
Joann’s professional experience includes purchasing, inside sales, office management, accounting, payroll, profit analysis, finance, supervision, customer service, estimating, and trade show project management. Joann has by far the greatest number of commendation letters from clients and five star google reviews.
Joann’s talents are at the heart of Exhibit Network’s sales, design, and production teams, making sure our booths exceed clients’ expectations, while keeping an eye on our company’s efficiency and profitability.
Most importantly, Joann always has a smile on her face and inspires all those around her to excel and follow their dreams.
In her spare time, Joann can be found at the gym or spending time with her family.
“Live one day at a time”
Dan Vela, one of our multi-talented Project Managers, was born in McAllen, Texas and raised in Houston. Dan studied Business Administration in college and has almost 15 years’ experience in the trade show industry. Dan skillfully manages his clients’ projects from start to finish for a seamless, stress-free, and delightful experience every time.
Dan is grateful for the team environment at Exhibit Network. He appreciates the confidence and support we all give each other.
When not working, Dan likes being a dad to his daughter. Watching baseball is a favorite pastime.
“I think I can, I think I can. “
– The Little Engine That Could
Kathryn Salazar, one of our Project Managers, has been in the exhibit industry since the first time she misbehaved and her Mom took Kat to work with her. Nobody remembers how long ago that really was.
Kat has an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration and recently earned a Certification of Completion for Lean Introduction (Six Sigma). Kat’s clients love the fact that Kat advises them on the best use of their exhibit properties. Kat spends a lot of time inspecting the fine print on show service forms to be sure her clients receive the exact services they need at the lowest prices possible. In addition to project management, Kat is skilled at sourcing, campaigning, and closing new deals.
Kat loves spending time with her family, watching movies, and shopping. When Exhibit Network announces company fishing trips at Hackberry Rod and Gun, Kat is always one of the first to sign up.
“Life is like a box of chocolates…”
– adapted from Forrest Gump
We have a member of our team who prefers to remain anonymous – something about Witness Protection, whatever, it’s none of our business. This person, in addition to handling the day-to-day tasks of keeping Exhibit Network operating smoothly, holds the title of Director of Fun. This person arranges and hosts our monthly Birthday Celebrations and strategically implemented a scheme to celebrate Unbirthday months as well.
In our employee break room, you will see Yellow Light Bulbs and Purple Smiley Faces, the brilliant idea of our Director of Fun. Team members nominate themselves for a Yellow Light Bulb by coming up with an ingenious idea to make our work simpler and faster. Team members nominate each other with a Purple Smiley Face when someone goes the extra mile to help the team or a client. Once a month, our Director of Fun collects the nominations and holds a drawing for two $25 gift cards – one for the Yellow Light Bulbs and one for the Purple Smiley Faces.
Check out our dry erase board in the break room. You’re bound to see puzzles or games like Hang Man, or funny caricatures of our team. Our Christmas parties (that are absolutely hysterical, by the way) are planned and executed by our Director of Fun.
You can usually find our Director of Fun, in the office or out, obsessing about chocolate.
“A smile is a curve that can set a lot of things straight…”
– Anonymous
Erik Salazar, our Warehouse Supervisor and Lead Installer, brought his contagious energy and wittiness to Exhibit Network in 2017. Not only are we and our clients delighted with Erik’s hilarious sense of humor, but exhibitors in neighboring booths usually get a laugh, too.
Erik is ingrained with an urgency to complete every task on time, on budget, and with a smile from his background in the food service industry. He is always coming up with ways to work better, faster, and smarter. And he’s such a nice guy, too. Hardly anyone can escape Erik’s thoughtfulness, as he has a habit of helping exhibitors on the show floor who are struggling with their booth.
In Erik’s spare time, he enjoys fishing, gaming, and spending time with his niece and his dog, Ferguson. Erik also likes to try out new restaurants and to post pics of interesting entrees on Instagram.
“Love your neighbor as yourself”
– Matthew 22:39
Alex was born in Uruguay, but we’re so fortunate he landed his talents at Exhibit Network. Alex is a talented architectural cabinetmaker who has also been in the trade show industry almost 10 years. We appreciate him because he maintains and thrives in a clean and organized work environment.
Alex enjoys the family atmosphere at Exhibit Network and appreciates being an integral part of the tightknit team.
When not working, Alex enjoys Remote Control Airplanes, reading books, and practicing Reiki for grateful family and friends.
“Failure is not an option.”
– Gene Kranz
George is a native Houstonian and has been with Exhibit Network since 2021with a background of 20 years in the trade show industry. George is multi-talented – he fabricates, warehouses, delivers, installs, and dismantles exhibits and also performs small repairs and upgrades in our facility.
George likes the friendly, family work environment at Exhibit Network. When he’s not working, you can find him hunting, fishing, or traveling.
George is a world-wide traveler, having visited over 20 different countries (so far!).
“Always workin’ in silence, let my success make the noise.”
– Russ Vitale
Wes Galicia was born in Monterrey Mexico, but was raised in Houston so we consider him a true Texan! Wes is indispensable in our warehouse. From storing crates strategically in the warehouse to documenting their locations in a user-friendly computer file, Wes is our go-to for “Hey, where’s the XXX crate?” You will also see Wes on the show floor unpacking those crates and setting up exhibits.
Wes likes working at Exhibit Network because he learns something new every day.
In his spare time, Wes makes and sells his own art and collaborates with other artists to improve and refine each other’s talents. Wes is also an accomplished self-taught music producer. We are sure he has many other undisclosed talents as well!