BIO

 

 Management / Production / Programming / Multiplatform Content / Strategy / Sports

 

 Self-motivated, entrepreneurial media executive with a 25+ year record of achievement and demonstrated success in producing Emmy award-winning multiplatform content programming in highly competitive markets. Extensive management experience in regional sports cable television with seven years as general manager, 10 years as executive producer and 13 years as remote producer and director.  Comprehensive background includes programming, planning and execution of sports programming; network and local credits; marketing, branding & PR, producing sports, specials and features; live, tape and post-production experience with a technical background. 

 Core competencies include:

 Leading Change  /  Leading People  /  Marketing & Brand Development  /  Business Acumen

 Problem Solving  /  Organizational Leadership  /  Team Building  /  Creativity  /  Client Driven

 

 Professional Experience

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Managing Director of Broadcast & Digital Media, 2022 - Present

United States Equestrian Federation

Lead and manage the USEF Network strategic partnership including content, programming, and media rights strategy while providing leadership and oversight into the planning, analysis, and execution of the schedule, budget, production, and contracts.
Develop and manage strategic partnerships maximizing the long-term value of the USEF media properties and growing membership and equestrian sport.
Work closely with internal and external partners to develop new sport and media properties to maximize the engagement and reach of equestrian sport while growing revenue.
Support cross department and cross functional video content development for USEF platforms including but not limited to social media, USEF Network, website and the Learning Center.

 

Director, Multimedia Services - Athletics, 2021 - 2022

The University of Akron

Supervise all video and multimedia efforts the Akron Athletics Department has while assisting with various multimedia productions for the University Communications and Marketing departments.  Coordinate production of and manage the game-day production staff for over 50 live video events on various ESPN channels and other broadcast platforms.  Produce high-quality video features to highlight the University’s student-athletes.  Maximize the use of new and existing content over multiple platforms, digital channels and across departments.  Serve as a liaison to television networks that broadcast Akron Athletics home events.
 

 Management Consultant, 2014 - Present
 Gerson Lehrman Group, Inc, - New York, NY

 Serve as consultant and advisor on various sports, media and live event production projects delivering expertise and comprehensive  solutions for complex business challenges to some of the world’s leading corporations, investment firms, professional services, and  nonprofit organizations.

 General Manager, 2008 - 2015
 Bright House Sports Network - St. Petersburg, FL

 Manage and direct Bright House Sports Network for Bright House Networks.  Strategic planning and oversight for a 24-hour regional  sports channel in the Tampa Bay and Central Florida markets.  Supervise all station operations, including finance, programming, ad sales,  marketing, engineering, remote production and human resources.  Provide staff with positive motivation, direction and insight. Committed  to the creation of new programming and revenue strategies with a focus on the station brand.  Developed strategic plans for the station's  future growth in technology and multi-platform content delivery.  Provided professional, positive, visible leadership both inside the station  and with advertisers, viewers and the community at large.  Responsible for all aspects of financial statements;  $9M operations and  capital budgets;  a staff of 70 including freelance talent;  two studios in Pinellas Park and Orlando, Florida;  company owned remote  production trucks, ENG/SNG and live news trucks.

 Achievements:  

• Creation of regional sports channel in Tampa Bay DMA with expansion into Orlando DMA, launched a 2nd HD channel, BHSN Xtra, used as an over-flow channel and BHSN OD, a local sports On Demand channel.

• Mentor, train and develop former athletes for TV sports analyst positions.

• Coordinate pitches, establish objectives, sell the passion of local sports, and closed multiple $500k deals with clients.

• Instrumental in signing exclusive contracts with Florida High School Athletic Association, county school boards and private schools for exclusive high school sports production and programming.

• Expanded local programming commitments with the University of South Florida, University of Central Florida and Stetson University.

• Increased live event production each year by 25% with a total of 1,300 games and 2,600 studio shows.

• Developed one-time special event community-based programming that included Red Bull Flugtag, Florida Sports Hall of Fame, The Tampa Sports Commission’s Sneaker Soiree and Tampa Sports Club Hall of Fame awards shows.

• Lead the station launch and re-branding campaign utilizing focus groups, development of overall PR plans, manage & direct external agencies, develop PR & marketing campaigns including media materials, communications and metrics.

• Facilitated the development of new web site www.bhsn.com and streaming on www.bhsnlive.com.

• Served as project manager for the building of two 40-ft mobile HD production trucks and two studio equipment upgrades.

• Direct all sports news multiplatform content for BHN news channels Bay News 9 in Tampa and News 13 in Orlando.

• Earned Regional Emmy Award for Live High School Sports Production, multiple Telly Awards for live and studio programming and ACC Beacon Awards in Education for Varsity Reporter Program and Programming for Varsity TV.

 

 Executive Producer, 1996 - 2006
 FSN Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

 Provide overall strategic vision, planning, scheduling and execution of live event and studio production with the goal of optimizing  advertiser and affiliate sales.  Responsible for $9.0M budget and over-seeing the production of over 550 events per year, live and taped  studio production and magazine-style programming including Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball (MLB) and Pittsburgh Penguins Hockey (NHL)  and daily studio shows for both Pittsburgh and St. Louis markets.  Oversee local programming department including the integration of  network and local schedules, programming contracts and local time-buys.  Supervise 50 person staff including talent, freelance  production personnel, studio and administrative staff.  Responsible for the Pittsburgh Penguins Radio Network from 1996 to 1999.

 Achievements:

• Coordinating multiple live TV feeds for MLB and NHL home and visitor broadcasts.

• Mentor, train and develop former athletes for TV sports analyst positions.  Most notable was former NHL player Eddie Olczyk. 

• Created new ad sales revenues ($750k) by producing a “Thursday Night High School Football” series including a weekly high school show.

• Coordinated the station launch and re-branding campaigns, manage & direct external agencies, develop PR & marketing campaigns including media materials and communications.

• Earned Three Regional Emmy Awards for Live Sports Production.

• Successful IBEW contract re-negotiation with local technicians.

 Producer, 1996
 NBC Sports. – Atlanta, GA

 Freelance producer of NBC’s coverage of Women’s Soccer during the Summer Games of the XXVI Olympiad.  In addition to production  of events, also responsible for creation of features, story ideas and additional coverage for other NBC programming (The Today Show  and various shows on CNBC and MSNBC)
Achievement:

• National Emmy, 1996 - Women’s Soccer 26th Olympiad, Atlanta - Sports Production. 

 Producer/Director, 1993 - 1996
Prime Sports/KBL - Pittsburgh, PA

 Produced and directed over 320 Pittsburgh Penguins Hockey (NHL) games including pre and post-game programming.  

 Producer/Director, 1987 - 1993
SportsChannel Ohio - Cleveland, OH     

 Produced and directed over 500 Cleveland Cavaliers Basketball (NBA) games and over 600 Cleveland Indians Baseball (MLB) games.  

 Technical Director, 1982 - 1987
Midwest Teleproductions - Richfield, OH

 Technical operator for in-house video facility at the Richfield Coliseum.  Director, technical director, editor, graphics operator and camera  operator for various live arena events including the Cleveland Cavs providing live visiting TV feeds.

 

 Master Control Operator, 1981

 WOAC-TV 67 – Canton, OH

 Responsible for monitoring the quality and accuracy of on-air signals as well as ensuring the transmission meets government  regulations. Additional responsibilities included troubleshooting equipment malfunctions and preparing programming for play  out. 

 Producer/Director, 1979-81
WEAO/WNEO - Western Reserve, Ohio PBS     

 Produced and directed weekly news and interview shows plus University of Akron college sports programs and live events.  

 Station Manager, 1979-81
 WAUP-FM - Non-commercial Public Radio, Akron, OH

 Responsible for college radio station general management including programming, operations, news, sports and engineering.               Also served as Music Director and On-Air Personality.

 Education

 Bachelor of Arts (BA), Mass Media/Communications – The University of Akron, Ohio

 Memberships

Society of Professional Journalists (1981-Present)
Florida Citrus Sports Commission (2013-2016)
Tampa Bay Sports Commission (2012-2016)
Central Florida Sports Commission (2012-2015)
Suncoast Region NATAS Chapter (2008-2016)
Board of Governors, Mid-Atlantic Region NATAS Chapter (2005-2007)
Mid-Atlantic Region NATAS Chapter (1993-2007)
Lower Great Lakes Region NATAS Chapter (1987-1993)