Houston Special Event Production Team

Keith started his event industry career in 1993, following his entertainment industry career at Six Flags/Astroworld that started in 1980.  That’s where his fascination with pyrotechnics was born and he is one of the lead technicians with The Phoenix Design Group.

When not providing a magical send-off for a new bride and groom, he is often coordinating the transformation of a ballroom to show the latest fashions on a runway.  He takes pride in his work, and his attention to detail certainly stands out.  He works hard with each client to make sure that no detail is overlooked.

Keith is a graduate of Texas A&M University and a native Houstonian.  He currently resides in Pearland, Texas with his wife Sharon and two of his four children.  When not working, Keith enjoys watching his kids play sports.

Charlie is originally from Corpus Christi, Texas but moved to Houston in 1978. Upon graduating from The University of Houston, Charlie became a full-time Operations and Show Supervisor for Astroworld, where he gained much of the event production knowledge that he has used over the last 33 years as well as with his clients at The Phoenix Design Group. Charlie’s great attention to event details and logistics as well as his concrete organizational skills guarantee that each event is a great success.

Charlie resides in Sugar Land, Texas with his wife, Stacey. He is also actively involved in charity work for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Mike has been a part of the exciting event industry for over 40 years, which started while he attended Dulles High School and continued at the University of Houston where he specialized in Hotel and Restaurant Management. He enjoys being able to work with a diversified group of people to produce an event that everyone will be in “awe” of. Mike’s specialty for events focuses around pyrotechnics and special effects, and it is his keen creativity, knowledge and experience with pyrotechnical services that sets him apart from others ensuring that each event goes out with a bang!

Mike resides in Missouri City, Texas with his wife Blanca and their two children. He has a passion for working with kids instilling values in them and encouraging them to follow their dreams. Mike proudly supports and is actively involved with the Fort Bend Junior Service League, Fort Bend ISD and The Freedom Center Church.

Kristen August grew up in the Sugar Land area and now resides in Houston, Texas. He received his B.S. in Finance from the Bauer College at the University of Houston, with an emphasis on financial services, risk management and insurance. Kris is an asset to the company providing his leadership skills, and developing teammates to capture the vision of the client and goals of The Phoenix Design Group. He enjoys watching the blank canvas of an empty room transform into a Gala that’s memorable for the attendees. In his free time, Kris loves exploring, traveling and creating with his wife Mercedes and their daughter.

Raised in Houston, Ann began her career in customer relations at AstroWorld, working alongside the co-owners of The Phoenix Design Group to ensure guests had unforgettable experiences. This early foundation in hospitality ignited a lifelong passion for connecting with people, paying close attention to every detail, and delivering top-notch service.  Over the years, Ann has honed these skills in a variety of roles. After supporting a wedding planner for several years, she developed an exceptional eye for detail, coordinating event logistics and managing vendor relationships to ensure flawless execution. Her ability to handle the complexities of large events with grace and precision has made her a trusted resource in event services.

Having moved several times with her husband’s career with Coca-Cola, Ann returned to Houston in 2019. Along with her husband Mike they raised three sons and are now proud and doting grandparents!  With a reputation for her commitment, attention to detail, and outstanding customer service, Ann brings a wealth of experience to every project and interaction, always focused on making others feel valued and heard.

A proud native of Sugar Land, Texas, Brandon August brings passion and creativity to his work with The Phoenix Design Group. Known for his commitment to excellence and collaborative spirit, Brandon thrives in dynamic environments where innovation meets purpose.

Outside of work, he’s a dedicated family man who enjoys playing video games, staying active through sports, and making the most of quality time with loved ones. Whether he’s designing impactful solutions or leading on the field, Brandon brings energy, heart, and focus to everything he does.

A native Houstonian, Chris spent a portion of his formative years in Corpus Christi, Texas. He began his lifelong career in the entertainment business at the age of fifteen, filling in for a missing crewman one fateful morning at the Old Concrete Street Amphitheater. A quick learner, his experience eventually led him to become the lead Lighting Director for some of Houston’s prominent concert venues, including Warehouse Live and Bayou Music Center. There, he worked with many “national act” performers, both programming and directing complex moving light shows in front of sold-out crowds. Chris has experience not just in music, but in A/V. Officed out of the George R. Brown Convention Center for three years, Chris worked on many large-scale special events including galas, trade shows, and conventions, designing lighting plots and coordinating with labor and rigging crews. Chris later took a break from show biz, however, to make time to complete a B.A. in Political Science at the University of Houston. From there he enjoyed a promising career as a litigation paralegal for two of the top law firms in Corpus Christi. In 2024, Chris dropped anchor in Houston once again, for a return to the illustrious entertainment industry. He joined the Phoenix Design team in early 2025 as a Production Manager, where he currently works day in and day out, offering his expertise to provide each client with the absolute best quality and customer service. In his free time, Chris enjoys spending time with his daughter Melody, his truest inspiration in life. He also enjoys going to the beach, studying the U.S. Constitution and other founding texts, staying involved with the UH Honors College, and preparing his weekly material of dad jokes for his colleagues to enjoy.

Leigh McDonald has 25 years of experience providing excellent customer service and making a lasting impression on customers. She was born in Mobile, Alabama, and attended Spring Hill College before moving to Missouri City, Texas, five years ago with her husband and two kids. She enjoys interacting with people and forming enduring bonds. Leigh enjoys spending her leisure time with her husband and two kids discovering Houston’s rich and diverse culture.

Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Lauren knows that life in the big city has events that are often larger than life! She has been working on events for the last twelve years, focusing primarily on Convention Services and Trade Shows. It is her fine attention to detail and her outgoing personality during the event planning process and on the event job-site that keeps her clients satisfied! Lauren makes sure to listen to each customer’s event ideas and combines them with the experience and knowledge of The Phoenix Design Group to make every event the best event.

Lauren graduated from The University of Houston with Cum Laude honors and resides in Missouri City, Texas with her husband, Jason, along with their three dogs. When she is not working on an event, Lauren can be found cooking up new recipes and spending time with friends and family.