At Your Service
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Linwood Campbell,
CEO / General Manager
I live by this everyday and had the privilege of working with Maya Angelou on several of her fundraising events. “They may never remember what you did for them, but they will always remember how you made them feel.”
Linwood’s Bio
Linwood is a seasoned hospitality professional with a distinguished career spanning over four decades in the catering and events industry. Linwood has led transformative initiatives in all the companies he has leadership roles in. Known for fostering collaboration and innovation, Linwood has also trained and mentored emerging leaders in the industry through his leadership with the National Association for Catering and Events. He actively engages with professional and community organizations, Linwood has played pivotal roles in the local chamber of commerces, the Human Rights Campaign, and the National Association for Catering and Events.
A visionary with a proven track record across premier venues and world class hospitality companies such as Hilton, Marriott and Starwood Hotels and Resorts. Linwood has led teams that executed large-scale catering operations generating multimillion-dollar revenues while driving strategic sales growth and client satisfaction. Recognized for leadership excellence, Linwood has earned numerous accolades, including the Mary Margaret Traxler Spirit of NACE Award for the Charlotte Chapter of NACE, George Zell Spirit of NACE Award, Caesars Entertainment Hunter Award and Member of the Year for the Charlotte Chapter of NACE. With a passion for mentorship, Linwood frequently guest lectures and shares insights on hospitality innovation, while contributing to national organizations that shape the future of the catering and events industry. Certified as a Professional in Catering and Events since 2007 and receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Food Service from North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers , Linwood exemplifies dedication, creativity, and a commitment to delivering extraordinary guest experiences.
Linwood is excited to be returning to Kelber Catering as the CEO and General Manager. He along with his husband Troy and fur babies, Isis and Athena look forward to making Minnesota home.
Melissa Hare,
CFO / Director of Administration
“The support of an amazing team makes even the most challenging task achievable.”
Melissa’s Bio
While in college, Melissa started her career with Kelber in 1998, working hospitality during the summer. Soon after earning her bachelor’s degree in business and economics, she transitioned to management doing payroll for union staff.
For 20 years, Melissa has worked in various capacities within Kelber’s business office. She’s fostered relationships, learned the inner workings of the Human Resources and Finance departments and implemented various software upgrades.
With great mentorship and opportunity to grow, Melissa achieved her goal of becoming Director of Administration & Assistant General Manager in January 2024.
When she’s not busy at work, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and heading up north to the campground whenever she can.
DIRECTORS
Nick Gundlach,
Director of Sales and Marketing
“The operations background at Kelber is so strong, which helps greatly in the event-planning process.”
Nick’s Bio
When Nick was 18, his brother got him a summer job bussing tables at the Madison Club in Madison, Wisconsin. It was there he developed a dedication to customer service and hospitality. After two summers at the Madison Club, Nick moved to the Twin Cities to further his career in the food and beverage industry.
His first hotel position in the Twin Cities was banquet houseman, and Nick spent the next 13 years in different roles with that organization. In 2017, Nick joined Kelber as a sales manager. While Nick has a ready laugh, first and foremost, he prides himself in the customer satisfaction he can deliver for his clients. In 2024, Nick has been promoted to Director of Sales and Marketing.
Always a phone call, email or text message away, Nick encourages his clients to reach out with any questions they may have.
Shane Streitz,
Executive Chef
“My work philosophy is to be a leader, not a boss, by getting in there and doing the hard work alongside the team.”
Shane’s Bio
As Executive Chef, Shane puts his philosophy into practice every day. Leading his large team of cooks, he ensures that all recipes are prepared to the highest standards and that the menus he develops creatively enhance every event.
But he’s no stranger to doing the hard work in the kitchen or all the elements that go into a smoothly sourced prepared and served meal.
A call from a family friend in 2003 about a job opening at Kelber Catering launched Shane Streitz on his career path in hospitality and foodservice. That job was in the shipping and receiving department and introduced him to the processes, products and dining paraphernalia it takes to create a delicious plated meal or beautifully set buffet for hundreds of guests. And he loved being part of it.
After two-and-a-half years in the position, he asked how he could advance his career with the company. Kelber offered to send him to culinary school at Hennepin Technical Center.
Once he completed his degree, Shane worked in and ran each department in the kitchen — hot prep, cold food, the bakeshop, as well as retail operations — which gave him a comprehensive picture of what everyone does to create a successful, customer-pleasing meal. He was a young chef in the making and loved every minute of his work.
That on-the-job education positioned him for a promotion to Executive Sous Chef and prepared him to lead the entire Kelber kitchen and banquet team as Executive Chef. In his leadership role, Shane develops menus, manages a large team of cooks and ensures all recipes are prepared to the highest standards.
A fast-paced person working in the non-stop environment of a major catering service kitchen, Shane sheds the stress by practicing martial arts in his spare time.
Dan Bruder,
Director of Catering Operations
“The diversity of the Kelber staff and guests gives us unique experiences every day.”
Dan’s Bio
After 10 years in sales at Schwan’s Foods and Sysco Minnesota, Dan started his career at Kelber in 2007 as an on-call banquet server. In 2011, the opportunity arose for him to become a banquet captain, where he led a staff of 100.
In 2015, Dan became Kelber’s banquet manager, and in 2024 he was promoted to Catering Operations Manager. His dedication to high-quality customer service is evident, whether it’s room set up, meal service or simply a kind gesture. Dan approaches everything he does with integrity, spending countless hours in preparation and planning to ensure an exceptional guest experience.
Away from the action at work, you’ll find Dan on a basketball court, playing disc golf or planning his next trip.
Lauren Grande,
Director of Purchasing
“Every day is a new challenge. It’s how you overcome those challenges that determines your success.”
Lauren’s Bio
In 2009, Lauren graduated from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts for Baking and Pâtissier. She started at Kelber the following year as an on-call baker before moving to the pantry department as a lead in 2014.
For a couple of years, Lauren left Kelber to work as a baker for a local grocery store. It was there she discovered that she enjoyed the variety of special events. She rejoined Kelber as a lead in the bakery department. In 2023, she decided to prepare for a tech-based career and enrolled in a data analyst training program. After letting Kelber know she was interested in growing with the company, she took on the Purchasing Manager role.
Lauren loves that every day at Kelber is different and that every event is like a puzzle. She particularly feels great when all the pieces come together correctly. It’s no surprise then that she likes putting all the pieces together to sew clothes for her child and when playing video games. She also has a new-found passion for plants and gardening.
Chris Babcock,
Director of Retail Operations
“Team Kelber is there to back each other up and make it work. Being reliable isn’t something you do, it’s who you are.”
Chris’s Bio
Chris joined the Kelber team in 2007 as an on-call bartender. He began working in the front-of-house departments, gaining a wealth of knowledge and experience in customer service, hospitality, convention and retail operations, as well as restaurant trends.
Using his knowledge of operations, Chris helped lead the opening of Dunn Brothers Coffee and The Craft Bar and Lounge. A highlight of his career has been helping execute the Super Bowl LII Tailgate Party, which involved multiple events over multiple days, including a complex room transformation for the Superbowl Afterparty, which drew thousands of guests.
Most days, you’ll find Chris on the operations floor, making sure everything is running seamlessly and exceeding the guests’ expectations.
In his free time, he enjoys camping with his family, biking, backpacking and anything in nature.
SALES TEAM
Emily Laing
Sales Manager
“A successful event is defined by the peace of mind it creates, where meticulous planning meets powerhouse execution to make the complex look entirely magic.”
Megan Dagger
Sales Manager
“My goal is simple: make every celebration effortless, personal, and exponentially delicious.”
Laura Caylor
Sales Manager
“Every event tells a story. My goal is to make the planning process effortless and ensure every guest leaves with a memorable experience.”
Scott Richmond,
Sales Coordinator
“The work you put in when no one is watching will matter far more than the work you do when the cameras are rolling.” – Leslie Odom, Jr.
CULINARY TEAM
Brad Sanborn,
Executive Sous Chef
“The team atmosphere here is unmatched. Everyone knows what they need to do to make everything run smoothly.”
Leo Boone,
Chef Garde Manger
“Everything’s going to be all right, no matter what.”
Nicole Sandlin,
Executive Pastry Chef
“I love Kelber because we share the view of taking pride in our work and achieving a high level of quality.”
Scott Frisco,
Sous Chef
“Teamwork is essential for success when working in the kitchen. My team and the people here are A-one and top notch!”
Amy Maddy,
Pastry Chef
“When we’re developing desserts, I enjoy exploring the layers of flavor and texture. Our team works collaboratively to explore new ideas and combinations to offer our guests.”
Daymara Sanchez,
Employee Dining Manager
“Live each day to the fullest!”
CATERING OPERATIONS
Vanessa Clark,
Senior Banquet Manager
“It’s exciting to see the way everyone at Kelber works together as a team, and amazing to help bring all the parts together to achieve success.”
Amy Cieslak,
Banquet Manager
“Working together with all departments to make the guest experience fun and memorable.”
RETAIL OPERATIONS
Preston Thunder,
Retail & Bar Manager
“Be ready so you never have to get ready, because the time you think you have isn’t really the time you have.” – DS Carter
Thalia Campoverde,
Purchasing Manager
“Hospitality — in welcoming and looking after the basic needs of our guests — is an act of kindness.”
Valerie Kurtz,
Payroll Manager
“The support and kindness of my colleagues is unmatched and a warm reminder of how grateful I am to be part of the team.”
Kelber Catering
Exclusive Caterer for the Minneapolis Convention Center
1301 Second Ave S, Minneapolis, MN
Our local, family-owned company cares.
Main Phone: 612-335-6045
Fax: 612-335-6516
