GSEC - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Entertainment Executive With WarnerMedia Studios at Warner Bros
- Senior Vice President, General Manager, WarnerMedia Studios at Warner Bros. Discovery
Amanda Gentles is an experienced senior-level entertainment executive with WarnerMedia Studios at Warner Bros. Discovery, an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate.
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- Partner, Barnes & Thornburg
Andrew Velcoff guides a wide range of institutional and individual entertainment and media clients through their entertainment, intellectual property, licensing and media law related needs.
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- Founder / CEO, BI Production Works
Bhugesh (Ben) Patel led Madison, GA-based BI Production Works from two sprinter vans into a multi-million-dollar company that leases vehicles and equipment to the film and entertainment industry.
Job Titles:
- VICE - CHAIRMAN / Vice President, Studio Operations, NBCUniversal at Assembly Studios
- Vice President, Studio Operations, NBCUniversal at Assembl Y Studios
Beth Talbert leads studio operations for NBCUniversal at Assembly Studios. A veteran of the television studio industry, Beth's experience in Los Angeles and Atlanta includes production, operations, distribution, client services and marketing.
Job Titles:
- TREASURER
- Vice President
- Vice President, EUE / Screen Gems Studios Atlanta
With decades of experience in studio operations and production, Billy Stoll is leading EUE/Screen Gems Studios Atlanta into its next phase of growth.
Justin manages the day-to-day operations of Third Rail Studios at Assembly in Doraville, GA and is involved with Gray's expansion of its soundstage portfolio at Assembly Studios.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of State Government Affairs, Southeast Region -
Job Titles:
- Executive Director, Creative Media Industries Institute, Georgia State University
Brennen Dicker is a film and video professional now focused on exploring the intersection of creativity, technology and entrepreneurship in Georgia's film, television and gaming industries.
Job Titles:
- MEMBER of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
- EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER / President & CEO, Georgia Chamber of Commerce
- Leader of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce
- President & CEO, Georgia Chamber of Commerce
As leader of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Chris Clark leverages extensive experience in Georgia government, including as deputy commissioner of the Department of Economic Development, which oversees the tax credit.
Job Titles:
- Founder of State Tax Incentives
- Managing Partner, Director of Film Finance
Chrissie Merrill is the founder of State Tax Incentives, and has placed more than $1.2 billion in film tax credits in the U.S., resulting in over 200 films and thousands of jobs.
Job Titles:
- Founder
- Founder, Electric Owls Studios
From Philadelphia to Los Angeles to Atlanta, Dan turned his passion for movies and TV into a gratifying career working in various locations departments
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President, Entertainment Division
David Innes' entertainment industry expertise includes Intellectual Property Valuation and Finance, Production Finance, Franchise Finance and customized financial planning solutions.
Job Titles:
- President & CEO, Trilith Studios
Frank Patterson, a studio executive, entrepreneur and higher-education thought leader, leads Trillith Studios, the second largest purpose-built film studio in North America.
Job Titles:
- General Manager
- CHAIRMAN / General Manager, Cinelease Studios - Three Ring
Atlanta native Gannon Murphy leads the Cinelease Studios brand, Entertainment Division of Herc Rentals and the Lighting & Grip Division of Cinelease.
Job Titles:
- Generation Member of the Lewis
Greg Lewis is a third-generation member of the Lewis family, which founded Lightnin' Production Rentals in Lawrenceville in 1979 and now services film and TV productions through its Georgia and New York locations.
Jamey Wilson is a part of the fourth generation at Cofer Brothers, dedicating over three decades of his working life to the company. During the past 15 years, Jamey's primary roles have included IT, sales, purchasing and management.
Job Titles:
- Director of Studio Client Relations, Cinelease Studios
Jessa Grazioplene leads studio management for Cinelease Studios, which includes locations for episodic TV and feature films in Atlanta, New York, and Los Angeles.
Joel Harber leads Athens, GA's Athena Studios, a state-of-the-art purpose-built studio space for television and film production.
Job Titles:
- MEMBER of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
- EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER / Partner at Mailing Avenue Stageworks, Westside Stageworks, and Eastside Stageworks
- Partner at Mailing Avenue Stageworks, Westside Stageworks, and Eastside Stageworks
John Raulet provides commercial real estate services to Georgia's film and television industry. He was instrumental in the early years of the Georgia film tax credit in securing space for shows when there were few stage options.
Job Titles:
- Founder & Managing Partner, Atlanta Metro Studios
John Rooker leads Atlanta Metro Studios and is the CEO of Rooker, a full-service real estate development firm. Atla nta Metro Studios (AMS) was the result of Rooker's redevelopment of Shannon Mall in Union City, GA.
Job Titles:
- Director of Studio Operations
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director, Savannah Regional Film Commission
- Freelance Filmmaker and Producer
Katie Schuck is a freelance filmmaker and producer with more than 15 years' experience She promotes Savannah's best locations to prospective productions.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Executive Director of the Georgia Screen Entertainment Coalition
Kelsey is the Executive Director of the Georgia Screen Entertainment Coalition, the leading advocacy organization for the film, television and digital entertainment industry in Georgia. Previously, Kelsey was the Director of Economic Development & Special Projects for the Georgia Chamber. In that role, she focused on strengthening the Chamber's influence statewide through the Georgia Chamber Federation, a grassroots network she expanded to represent 147 community partners and 45,000+ small businesses across Georgia. She joined the Georgia Chamber in 2012, and was instrumental in the significant expansion of the Chamber's non-dues revenue streams, and its investor benefit products, programs, and educational offerings. She holds a B.A. in Communication Media from North Carolina State University, and in 2016 earned her IOM designation for studies in nonprofit organizational management.
Kelsey is a proud resident of Atlanta, active in the Junior League of Atlanta and serves on the board for Inherit Georgia, an initiative of the Georgia Trust for Historical Preservation. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring Georgia (and the world), gardening, and seeking out great food and even better wine.
Job Titles:
- MEMBER of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
- COO, BlueStar Studios
- EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER / COO, BlueStar Studios
Mark Parkman understands each element of content creation and how to keep projects on track. He came to BlueStar Studios from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), where he was the creative architect of its global content strategy and earned two Emmy Awards.
Job Titles:
- President & CEO of Reel Supplies
Matt Davis leads Reel Supplies, a building supply company that has supplied more than 1,600 episodic TV and feature film productions across the country.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder and Managing Partner, Floyd County Productions
Matt Thompson leads Floyd County Productions, one of the premiere animation studios in Atlanta. With nearly three decades of animation experience, he has been a driving force behind Emmy, Critics' Choice, and Clio award-winning programs.
Job Titles:
- MEMBER of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
- Business Agent, IATSE Local 479
- EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER / Business Agent, IATSE Local 479
Mike Akins manages the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), Local 479, which has grown during his tenure to be one of the largest film trade organizations in the United States.
Michael Clark is a former Production Coordinator and Supervisor, having worked on several TV series in both Los Angeles and Atlanta. As of January 2023, he is the General Manager of Studio Operations for Eagle Rock Studios.
Job Titles:
- Chief Marketing Officer
- Executive Vice President
Job Titles:
- Director of Sales, Yancey Entertainment
Mike Byrd specializes in delivering high customer service and value to the unique demands of the film, production, and entertainment industry.
Job Titles:
- Government Affairs Director
Nancy is the Government Affairs Director for the Georgia Screen Entertainment Coalition.
Nancy represents the film, television, and digital entertainment industry through the Chamber's Government Affairs Council, where she manages a coalition of over 450 government affairs professionals dedicated to achieving the policy objectives of the Coalition and Georgia Chamber. When the legislature is not in session Nancy works closely with the Georgia Chamber's Foundation and Policy Committees to draft legislation, identify legislative trends, monitor decisions from the state's appeals and supreme courts, and develop short and long-term policy priorities.
Prior to working at the Georgia Chamber, Nancy was the Executive Director and lobbyist of the Georgia Craft Brewers' Guild. Nancy resides in Atlanta, Georgia with her pup Champion.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Head of Real Estate
Peter Rumbold leads project teams at Shadowbox Studios that are actively developing more than 3 million square feet of new studio space.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner, Bennett Thrasher
Peter Stathopoulos is a Partner in Bennett Thrasher's State & Local Tax practice, leading the Entertainment division to help clients maximize entertainment incentives for film, television and digital interactive entertainment.
As Chief Operating Officer of Hallmark Entertainment, Peter defined strategic vision and led tactical execution while managing day-to-day operations of a global powerhouse in the entertainment industry.
Scott Griffin leads Griffco, an Atlanta-based design/build construction firm he founded in 2007 that specializes in commercial and industrial facilities, including film studios and sound stages.
Job Titles:
- Entertainment Arts and Academic Industries Global Expert
- Executive Director, Georgia Film Academy
Scott Votaw is an entertainment arts and academic industries global expert with decades of film production experience and a background in education including training, educational circular creation and workforce development.
Job Titles:
- MEMBER of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
- EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER / President & General Manager of Studio Operations, Tyler Perry Studios
- President and General Manager of Studio Operations at Tyler Perry Studios
Steve Mensch is President and General Manager of Studio Operations at Tyler Perry Studios, an all-inclusive, premiere film and television production facility that supports both Tyler Perry Productions and outside production.
Job Titles:
- Partner at Mailing Avenue Stageworks, Westside Stageworks, and Eastside Stageworks
Tyler Edgarton has more than 30 years of experience in the Atlanta real estate market, active in property acquisitions, film production, studio ownership, renting props and set decorations, and supporting film festivals.