detail design
MEET YOUR TEAM
Mike King
Mike has worked in various capacities of design, holding a degree in Landscape Horticulture and Design from Purdue University. As General Manager, Mike brings a variety of skills to the Detail + Design team. His background includes working in the areas of space design and layout, graphic design for mailings, print ads and printed materials, website maintenance and design, floral design and production, general prop design and construction, wood working, event logistics and staffing, planning and set-up/strike management. In addition, Mike also manages the warehouse, updating and maintaining the inventory and helping manage the office to keep things operating smoothly. Mike oversees the installation and set-up of all events and ensures that every detail will be attended to. Having worked in the special events industry for over a decade, he is skilled with the organization of minor and major events and the details that make them a success. Mike is an active member of the Indiana Chapter of ILEA, having held various roles, including President.
Mike is also co-owner of Detail + Design Residential, offering full-service interior and exterior design and implementation, specializing in custom home renovations and creative outdoor living spaces. Mike has been with Detail + Design for over 18 years and continues to grow with the company, always looking for a new challenge.
L. Gene Huddleson
Owner of LGH Design Group, now known as Detail + Design, Gene has been in the event industry for 34 years. Prior to starting his own company in 1997, Gene worked with several of the top event designers in the world. Taking him all over the United States and Europe, Gene was able to create fascinating theme parties, lavish weddings and social events that require extensive creativity. He was chosen as a vice presidential residence holiday designer in 1995 and 1996.
Once deciding to return to his home state of Indiana, Gene developed an event planning business and floral company like no other in central Indiana. From creating the opening of the Emmis Communications building in 1999 to maintaining Jeff Smulyan, Rolls Royce, Protective Insurance, Martha and John Hoover and Community Hospital as loyal clients, Gene is regularly creating event environments that impress and electrify.
Gene is also a Past President for the International Live Events Society – Indiana Chapter and served on the Advisory Board for Special Events Magazine.
Gene’s design work has earned him international, national and local awards for his work on events such as the Emmis Grand Opening, The Chihuly Opening at the Children’s museum, numerous Corporate events, Jeff and Heather Smulyan’s wedding, the Sokolov wedding in Naples Florida, both Rachael and Sarah Hoovers weddings as well as numerous other weddings and events across the country and abroad. His events have appeared in Special Events Magazine, The Indianapolis Monthly, Martha Stewart Weddings as well as others.
Kari Strolberg | CSEP
Kari’s expertise lies in the management and production of large civic events, award winning corporate events, and fundraisers. Her production credits include high-profile events such as The Giving Gig, which features national entertainment and raises over one million dollars each year for Community Hospital Network Foundation; Mickey’s Camp and Mickey’s Camp for Women, which has raised over two million dollars for local charities since 2001; Wine Women & Shoes, an annual gala for Gleaners Food Bank; and in 2011 she chaired the Indy Super Cure Gala that raised one million dollars for the Komen Tissue Bank. These events, coupled with many others, such as the Hands on Hundred Program for The Special Event Conference and Tradeshow, and The Folds of Honor Gala have earned her national recognition and industry awards.
In 2003, Kari became a Certified Special Event Professionals (CSEP). This designation is given through the International Special Events Society, of which she is a past board President. Kari is also the co-author of Exceptional Events: Concepts to Completion, a special events textbook printed in 2001, she was named to IBJ’s list of “Who’s Who in Hospitality” in 2003, she was listed as a “Indy’s Best and Brightest” nominee in 2008 and named to IBJ’s “40 Under 40” in 2009.
Syanda Feist | CSEP
Syanda has been working in the special events industry since her move to Indianapolis in 2011. Starting with a background in production and then moving to planning, she has quickly become a gala and fundraiser specialist; assisting in the planning and production of events for many Indianapolis based nonprofit organizations.
In 2017 Syanda received her Certified Special Event Professional (CSEP) designation from the International Live Events Association. She has served on the board for the Indiana Chapter of ILEA as well as chaired PACE Awards that recognizes the best of the best in Indianapolis special events. During her years at Detail + Design, Syanda has helped to coordinate over 100 volunteers for IN Light IN – a two-day art installation taking place on the Indianapolis Downtown Canal. She has also managed the logistics for a bike ride supporting the American Diabetes Association, transportation for a corporate state-wide event for 1,000 employees and has led numerous auction committees to help ensure on-site fundraising goals are met.
Darcie Kornmeyer
In 1998 Darcie attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City with a goal of designing window displays at Barney’s. Like many so many other professionals in the wedding planning industry, Darcie never imagined her education would lead her to where she is today. A chance opportunity to help assist a local wedding planner allowed her the unique ability to integrate her experience at FIT with the couple’s personal style and preferences into one of the most important events in their life. After just one wedding, she was hooked. For over a decade, Darcie has been planning and creating unique and personal weddings for Indianapolis couples. She believes the smallest details add the greatest impact and she works with her couples to ensure each element is carefully crafted extension of their vision. From linens, to lighting, to stationary, to timelines and coordination, her knowledge of color, design, and budgets is invaluable to the planning couple.
Darcie has planned every kind of wedding from intimate gatherings to large social affairs for some of Indianapolis’ high-profile families. Her experience at some of the city’s top event venues ensures she’ll successfully coordinate any wedding no matter the size, detail or design needs.
Carolyn Charles
For the last 36 plus years, my husband and I were business owners before I joined the Detail & Design team in 2021. I work with clients to guide them through the many choices and questions that arise through a renovation project and act as their liaison to ensure that each project is a managed well and that it is a fun and easy experience for every client. My experience as a business owner has given me the knowledge to meet with clients and give them the help that they need.
I have always had a passion for home renovation, starting with my own home, years ago. Having used the Detail & Design team on my own home, they guided my husband and myself in directions that we had not considered and couldn’t be happier. I am excited to help you tackle your next home improvement project.
