Espresso Shot 8 with Matt Upton

Matt’s professional life is focused on connecting people from all backgrounds for the purpose of enhancing the lives of all. Supervisor and practitioner of career, student, and alumni services and diversity/climate enhancement initiatives across these areas with over 20 years’ experience. Manage recruiting and admissions (talent acquisition), new student orientation, career, student, and alumni services (talent development/management) for a graduate school of public and international affairs. Collaborate with students, staff, and faculty to enhance the organizational climate and to promote diversity and inclusion through these efforts. Human resource development professional and graduate instructor with teaching experience in career development, learning & development, organizational change, and strategic planning.

Specialties: executive coaching (International Coaching Federation Associate Certified Coach), career/talent development (networking, goal setting, resume writing, interviewing, salary/job negotiation), graduate student services including diversity and climate enhancement initiatives, recruiting/admissions (talent acquisition and enrollment management), leadership development, and student advising; organizational change.

Sarah Chrastecky is the director of the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center, where she oversees all aspects of the operation.

Chrastecky graduated from Texas Lutheran University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in studio art and a minor in psychology. Upon graduation, she moved to the Bryan/College Station area.

In the summer of 2009, Chrastecky began working for the APCC and caught the industry bug. During this time, she had the opportunity to expand her knowledge and passion by attending and graduating from the IAVM Venue Management School. In October of 2012, she transitioned to an associate director position for Chartwells Catering at Texas A&M University to continue her experience and business interests. She returned to the APCC as the manager in the summer of 2015. In February of 2017, she stepped in as interim director until June of 2018, when she accepted the director position.

Chrastecky is the mother of two beautiful boys and wife to a golf course superintendent. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, game nights, family movie nights and entertainment provided by sarcastic 10 and 4-year-olds.

Tracy ‘TJ’ Hefti is originally from Houston, Texas, and joined the APCC in 2018. She has over 10 years of experience in various service industry roles and is excited to bring those skills to Texas A&M. TJ has her Certified Meeting Professionals (CMP) certification, as well as the Certified Professional in Management certification (AMA-CPM). In her free time she enjoys creating art, exploring and supporting local cuisines and spending time with her family.