B. Allan Kurtz
Managing Director
Managing Director of both Ziegfeld Ballroom and Gotham Hall, Allan has been at the helm of Iconic Spaces’ venues since 2003. His background includes five years as Director of Catering at Sheraton Meadowlands, three years at Water’s Edge, and 13 years at the Tavern on the Green in various positions, the the last five years as Managing Director. A married father of two boys, Allan resides on Long Island and in Bucks County, PA. He is an active member of the prestigious NYC & Co. Restaurant Committee and served on the board of the Central Park Precinct Community Council and on the advisory board of his alma mater, Fairleigh Dickinson University, for over 15 years.
James Munz
Vice President, Sales
James began his hospitality career at the legendary Plaza Hotel where he soon became one of the youngest people to assume the pivotal position of maître d’hotel. Shortly after, he took on the role of Catering Sales Manager. It was James’ success at The Plaza that led to a managerial position with Cipriani, USA in 2004, where he assumed responsibility for many of its exclusive event spaces, including the Rainbow Room. After six years at Cipriani, James joined the Mandarin Oriental as the Associate Director of Catering and was promoted to their Director of Catering two years later. A married father with three young daughters, James is a resident of River Edge, NJ. BA: St. Francis College, Brooklyn.
Jamie VanValkenburg
CATERING SALES MANAGER
Jamie graduated from Johnson & Wales University in Providence Rhode Island with her bachelor’s degree in Hospitality. Always wanting to work in New York City, she found her way to the luxurious Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Working her way up in various rolls in the Catering Department, she worked at the five-star property for over 6 years. Following her boss, James Munz, Jamie was one of the few members on the opening team of the Ziegfeld Ballroom, starting in early 2017.
Katherine Warfield
CATERING SALES MANAGER
Katherine joins the Ziegfeld Ballroom with 5 years of event sales and operation experience. She started her New York City hospitality career as a member of the re-opening team of the landmark restaurant, Tavern on the Green. Working her way from event coordinator to senior sales manager, she joined the Ziegfeld Ballroom in Fall 2017. Katherine graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies, Political Science.
Sandhya Rao
ASSISTANT CATERING SALES MANAGER
Sandhya moved from Africa to the Big Apple with a dream of pursuing a career in events, attending the Special Events Management program at NYU whilst working as an Event Concierge at the prestigious Plaza Hotel for three years. In 2015, Sandhya took on the role of Catering Coordinator with Abigail Kirsch at Pier Sixty, The Lighthouse, and Current, before joining her former colleagues Craig and Matthew at Ziegfeld Ballroom in 2017.
Maggie Cho
CATERING COORDINATOR
Maggie started her career in the hospitality industry in 2011 at Mandarin Oriental, New York. Seven years later, she’s thrilled to reunite with a team she’s known since 2011 to build the brilliant brand that is Ziegfeld Ballroom. In her current role at Catering Coordinator, she loves supporting her team and making magic happen!
