EST. 2008
At Sweet Management Group we eat, breath and live a food passionate lifestyle.
We believe food is the ultimate connection point. We know creating memories around the table is impactful. And we thrive on using culinary as a marketing tool to bring people together and drive results.
The Team
LONNY SWEET
CEO
After almost a decade in sports marketing, representing the best athletes, coaches and broadcasters in the business, Lonny launched Sweet Management Group (The Connect Group) in 2008, initially continuing to pursue a career in sports marketing. The path of SMG changed when Lonny met Chef Forgione following his Next Iron Chef victory, and the rest is history (or so we hope). He is a proud sales guy, prouder father of two girls and fierce protector of his 617 cell phone area code. #masshole #bostonstrong #gosox #gopats #wickedawesome
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Food is part of my everyday work life, but at home, I cook for my family and grow herbs and vegetables in our backyard. I'm on a never-ending hunt for the perfect Chinese takeout and will drop everything for an afternoon of tailgating with my buddies.
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Appetizer: NOLA Crawfish Boil; Entrée: Potato Bacon Pizza from Antonio's Pizza in Amherst, MA; After dinner snack: Mom's Wontons
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I'd be hanging out, having fun with my daughters (on the beach would be awesome).
CASSANDRE PALLAS
VP Talent Management & Client Services Director
Cassie took an unexpected road on the way to Sweet Management Group. After graduating from Wesleyan University with a double major in Architecture and Art History (yay liberal arts education!), she worked at several small architecture firms and Edelman Digital before realizing that she was hungry for the food world. Immediately before Sweet Management Group, she spent several years working in Corporate Communications at POSSIBLE, a digital marketing agency. She’s a born and bred New Yorker who loves a good craft project and a strong cocktail. #sorrynotsorry #Tribeca #hapa
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Sometimes I wonder how I’m NOT connected to food! My mom taught me how to cook when I was very young and exposed us to many different types of cuisines. My cookbooks and cooking equipment probably take up at least 75% of my small NYC apartment! I also eat out a lot, whether it’s my favorite restaurant in Chinatown or a new spot I’ve been wanting to try.
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My Mom’s Sukiyaki or Japanese Steak. I’m also crazy for hot dogs.
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Playing a board game outside with a bottle (or actually 3 or 4) of rosé.
JULIA OPPENHEIM
Account Coordinator
Julia graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 2024, looking to combine her love for food, marketing, and innovation, and found that all at SMG. She gained hospitality and restaurant operations experience at Union Square Hospitality Group in NYC and expanded her marketing expertise with Nova Hospitality in Austin. Now back in NY (she grew up on Long Island!), Julia is excited to tackle her NYC food bucket list. You’ll often find her exploring grocery aisles for the latest CPG trends, and is always down to go out as long as late night pizza is involved.
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At every family gathering, my Grandma always says, "join me in the clean plate crew!" Being part of this crew is a badge of honor, meaning eating a balanced meal, avoiding waste, and, most importantly, that the food was delicious! Inspired by this connection to food and my family, I created an Instagram blog in high school (@cleanplatecrew), that I actively use to share my love for food with the world. I'm the go-to friend for restaurant recommendations, love discovering new places when I travel, and feel happiest sharing good meals with good company.
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How about a last full day of eating on Earth… I'd start the day strong with an omelet and a side of hash browns, toast, and bacon and a stack of pancakes for the table to share. Then I'd have a Greek Salad with pita and tzatziki for lunch, and Rigatoni alla Norma for dinner. There’s always room for dessert, so I’d have a hefty slice of Carvel ice cream cake with hot fudge and crushed Oreos!!!
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Chilling with my close friends and family and of course, my dog.
