Total Events, LLC

Total Events was the brain child of Richard Carrier, an Albany native and graduate of Schenectady Community College. Rich also earned a degree in Hospitality Management from University of Nevada Las Vegas. His knowledge for the hospitality industry was further refined during his 15 years at the legendary Las Vegas Hilton, and subsequently as the Director of Catering when the Rio Hotel & Casino was launched. Wanting to be closer to his family, he and his wife Melissa returned to the Albany area. With his entrepreneur spirit and passion for the event industry, he launched Total Events in 1999 from the basement of their Ballston Lake home. His drive and leadership drove the company to exponential growth and the formation of an amazing team of event professionals that are all part of the “Total Events’ family”. Rich is a hands-on General Manager and resident dog whisperer to our team’s family of dogs that visit the office. Rich would be nowhere without his loving and self-driven wife, Melissa Carrier. Also a graduate of University of Nevada Las Vegas, Melissa’s professional background includes sales at IBM and Vice President of Sales and Marketing for an international technology firm. Energetic and resourceful, Melissa’s optimism is contagious throughout the Total Events team. She spearheads all Marketing and Financial aspects of the business, but don’t be surprised to see her on a ladder installing some new drapery inspiration. Rich was recently honored as a top 50 Distinguish Alumni of Schenectady Community College and serves on the Advisory Board at the College. Melissa serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for Discover Albany. Rich and Melissa’s pride and joy are their children, Justin & Rachel. The Carrier’s love to travel and enjoy spending days cruising on their boat with family and friends.

Joell brings 20 years of event industry experience to Total Events! A graduate of Schenectady County Community College majoring in Marketing and Business, Joell has worked at some of the premier venues in the Capital Region as an event & wedding coordinator, as well as on the management team. We’re not saying she knows everything and everyone, but she’s pretty close. A lifelong resident of Schenectady, Joell and her family have a long history in the area with a family-owned business, Casa Visco, where her husband, Bill, works. Her son, Cameron, is a United States Marine and her step-son, Will John, is currently attending college. What does this mean for us? Well, in short, we hit the jackpot! Joell’s Mother Hen meets seasoned professional energy equates to our staff feeling like there is no problem they can’t solve, a ready teammate whenever they need a hand and a beautiful charcuterie board or gourmet lunch lugged to every job site to keep their spirits high and their belly full thanks to Momma-JoJo. When she’s not designing spectacular events and spreading her positive vibes over everything she touches, Joell and her family enjoy taking their boat out, antiquing and taking out their motorcycle.

Meet Makayla, a hospitality enthusiast with a lifelong passion for working with people. From an early age, she immersed herself in the industry, following in the footsteps of her mother, grandmother, and great grandmother by helping at her family’s estate. This early exposure instilled in her a deep appreciation for the power of genuine connections. After graduating with a dual degree from Hofstra University, Makayla embarked on a successful career in sales and marketing. Beyond the professional realm, Makayla’s creativity knows no bounds. Whether thrift shopping, tending to her thriving collection of houseplants or engaging in artistic endeavors like painting, building, or crafting stained glass, she finds solace in expressing herself through various mediums. In fact, her love for all things DIY led her to become a valued member of the Home Depot team during the pandemic. From there, her adventurous spirit led her to explore new horizons as a carpenter's apprentice, showcasing her versatility and willingness to learn. Makayla is marrying her high school sweetheart in the fall of 2023. Fueling their shared dreams, their next goal is to acquire land and convert a school bus into a charming tiny home. They hope to embark on a journey across the country, accompanied by their three beloved pets. Makayla’s journey led her to Total Events, where she discovered the perfect fusion of two of her greatest passions: creativity and connections. As a coordinator, she expertly bridges the gap between the front and back of the house, ensuring seamless coordination and flawless execution. With a keen eye for detail and a genuine passion for creating extraordinary moments, Makayla brings a blend of professionalism and personal touch to every event she undertakes. Trust her to transform your vision into an unforgettable experience that will leave lasting memories.

After leaving a career in higher education to follow her true passion, Michelle Mora Johnson is now a dedicated Event Specialist at Total Events, LLC. Her journey into the event world is uniquely personal—she was once a bride and a client of Total Events, and now she's thrilled to help other couples bring their dream events to life. Give her a Pinterest board, and she’ll turn it into reality! When she's not crafting perfect celebrations, Michelle enjoys working out, coaching, organizing junk drawers (yes, really!), hunting for shiny things on sale, and spending quality time with her husband, two little ones, and two rescue dogs.

A native of the Capital District and longtime client of Total Events, Glenn joined the Total Events team in spring of 2019 as our general manager. Graduating from SUNY Cobleskill with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Glenn first started off in the food and beverage world with his own restaurant. Soon enough he found himself at the Holiday Inn Turf on Wolf road, where he spent over 20 years as a part of their senior management staff. After familiarizing himself with all facets of the hotel industry and culinary trade, Glenn became the Sales Director at Holiday Inn. Working with groups large and small, from weddings to conference and everything in between, Glenn was one of Total Events’ “regulars”. He developed industry connections all through the capital region hospitality industry and grew close partnerships with ESSAE, MPI (where he was named Volunteer of the year) and the Albany Colonie Regional Chamber. With his insight in the hospitality business he spent the last seven years as General Manager at the Holiday Inn, and the Homewood Suites as well as support to sister properties in a Regional capacity from Fishkill to Rochester . When Glenn isn’t at T.E. headquarters routing trucks and solving problems before they occur, in your backyard conducting a site inspection, working with our sales team to provide a dynamic proposal or out in the community at various networking opportunities you will likely find him on the golf course, eating fried green beans or spending quality time with his favorite people, his son’s Tyler and Logan.