Management Team
Celebrate your next event aboard the newly renovated Lady Kate. Stunning river views, elegant spaces, and a unique on-the-water experience make every private party unforgettable.
Mary Lussier
General Manager
Mary has been involved in the food service and catering industry from the onset of her career. Born and raised in CT, she attended Johnson and Wales University in Providence, RI, and graduated with both Culinary Arts and Food Service Management degrees.
Mary built her career through the years as a Server, Event Captain, Production Manager and Senior Catering Sales Manager. The ability to utilize her well-rounded skillset to plan every detail of an event, paired with the opportunity to work with a variety of clients and venues, drives her passion for event planning. She joined the Riverhouse Catering team in 2019 as Director of Operations, after fourteen years of special event, corporate and higher education catering for two to two thousand guests and positions in both the front and back of the house. When the opportunity arose to transition to the Sales Department in 2021, she didn’t hesitate! She is excited to share her love of cuisine and event planning with all of Riverhouse’s new and existing clients, ensuring each event is a perfectly planned and memorable experience for guests and clients alike.
Kevin Hine
Executive Chef
Chef Kevin Hine began his culinary career 16 years ago when he started creating and developing recipes and meals for his Father – and once his passion was sparked, he’s never looked back!
As a University of Rhode Island Freshman, Kevin owned and operated a calzone shop on campus. After graduating, he continued his path of ownership with the purchase and rebranding of Tony’s Pizza in Manchester to 803 Pizzeria, which he operated for two years.
Constantly looking to expand his knowledge and further his skills, Kevin worked as a Sous Chef for the Artisanal Burger Company, a division of the DORO Restaurant Group.
When Covid uprooted the day-to-day restaurant business, Kevin transferred to A’vert Brasserie, where he acquired and developed techniques under the mentorship of Taylor Naples, who himself was a former pupil of Daniel Bouloud – considered by many to be the Grandfather of French Cuisine.
After a six month tour at A’vert, Kevin was tasked with operating a bakery that offered dozens of fresh croissants, breads and pastries baked from scratch every morning. When the Executive Chef position became available with Riverhouse Catering, Kevin transitioned to join his former coworker and friend, the Executive Chef of The Riverhouse At Goodspeed Station, Diana Busque, in providing all of Riverhouse Hospitality’s clients with the most exquisite cuisines for their special events and celebrations. Kevin’s looking forward to further growing and mastering his culinary repertoire throughout his future with Riverhouse!
Donna Michaud
Director of Operations
Donna comes to Riverhouse Catering after many years of working in the Food and Beverage Industry!
At the age of thirteen, Donna began her career working special events for the Shriners organization. From there, she worked her way through the ranks and held a variety of positions that provided her the opportunity to organize and execute events ranging from private house events to weddings, large social gatherings and fundraisers. She has worked for one of the largest off-site catering companies in Connecticut, as well as Four Diamond hotel properties, banquet facilities, private clubs and restaurants. Her client base includes a variety of national organizations and individuals – including the Special Olympics Connecticut, presidential candidates, international entertainment personalities, and more!
After joining Riverhouse Catering in September of 2021, Donna brings her vast operational knowledge and diverse skills to lead our Operations Team, ensuring the highest quality of service standards, event execution and client satisfaction – whether it be an intimate dinner for two or a gala for three thousand!
Noora Nickerson
Event Sales Manager
Noora Nickerson began her journey in the hospitality industry 22 years ago in her home country of Finland, as a 14 year old working for a small caterer with her Mom!
After completing her culinary degree with honors, she moved to the back of the house and as the Chef, prepared food for both the catering company and a separate restaurant that was open daily for lunch service. All the while, Noora was also playing professional Women’s Finnish Baseball – creating the foundation for her second passion, personal training!
Noora met her husband Matt, a professional hockey player, in 2006, which kicked off her European journey in the hospitality business. She spent many years in Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland, learning the ins and outs of the industry. Noora later moved to the hotel and restaurant divisions, working in a variety of positions from Barista to Event Captain. Her experience in a variety of front of house positions has exposed her to many different types of clients and service styles!
In 2019, Matt’s retirement brought he and Noora back to his childhood home here in Connecticut, where Noora worked as a bartender at Otter Cove Restaurant in Old Saybrook, further expanding her event knowledge by also jumping in to assist with the restaurant’s private events. Building on her skills as a bartender and as a personal trainer, Noora thrives on her client connections – she is always looking to learn each client’s desires and needs for their events, and help guide them through the planning journey with a personal touch!
Melissa O’Brien
Event Manager
Melissa (Missy) discovered her passion for hospitality at the early age of 7, working alongside her mother—a Chef and Food Service Director—who planned large-scale events and menus for hundreds. Missy eagerly joined in, helping with décor, setup, and serving, planting the seeds for what would become a lifelong career in hospitality.
Born and raised in Connecticut, Missy earned her degree in Social Work from Springfield College in Massachusetts. She spent a decade as Director of a nonprofit youth services organization, where she skillfully coordinated and executed numerous successful fundraising events. Despite the demands of her role, she always found time to bartend once a week—just for fun!
Fifteen years ago, Missy made the decision to transition full-time into the hospitality industry, a move that aligned perfectly with her passion and experience. Her career path has included roles as Server, Bartender, Restaurant Manager, Banquets Manager, and Event Manager. She brings a deep understanding of operations, strong vendor and client relationships, and a talent for leading teams to deliver seamless, unforgettable events.
Missy joined Riverhouse Catering in 2023 as Event Manager, bringing with her extensive experience planning fundraisers, corporate events, private home gatherings, and weddings. She’s thrilled to bring her enthusiasm for cuisine, event management, and—most importantly—people to every event she touches. Her mission is to ensure each celebration is flawlessly executed and leaves a lasting impression on every guest.
Paul Costello
Lead Captain
Paul brings over four decades of experience on the Connecticut River, with a deep-rooted connection to maritime operations. He began his career working summers during high school and college aboard the riverboats of Deep River Navigation Company, serving locations including Deep River, Old Saybrook, Middletown, and Hartford.
Following his graduation from college, Paul pursued a successful career in graphic design, ultimately advancing to a Creative Director role in New York City, where he resided for 14 years. However, a visit to a colleague working in the Virgin Islands reignited his passion for maritime work and prompted a return to his roots.
To reestablish his sea time, Paul joined American Cruise Lines on the Intracoastal Waterway. He subsequently earned his Merchant Mariner Credentials in 2009 and was appointed Maritime Operations Manager at the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat. In this role, he oversaw operations following the organization’s acquisition of the Becky Thatcher riverboat. Paul’s prior experience as a conductor for both the steam train and the Essex Clipper Dinner Train made this a natural fit.
After eight years in this leadership role, Paul accepted an opportunity with a startup organization in New York City. However, the demands of commuting from Connecticut and extended time away from his young family led him to seek a position closer to home. He subsequently joined the Connecticut Department of Transportation, where he operated both Connecticut River ferries for seven years. He later transitioned to the DOT’s Office of Rail Operations, while continuing to remain actively engaged in maritime work through roles with on Riverquest, Slipaway Tours, and the Goodwin College Navigator.
In 2026, Paul joined Lady Kate Cruises as Lead Captain and is proud to contribute his extensive experience and leadership to the Riverhouse organization.