Andrew Abrams, Vegas Golden Knights, Executive Producer of Production

Andrew Abrams is the executive producer for the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights. His path to sports production started as a TV truck intern in 2006 with Time Warner Cable Sports (Now Spectrum Sports) in Syracuse, NY. It was with this internship that Abrams learned the inner workings of a sports TV truck and how live sports is covered. In 2009, after graduating from college, he landed his first full-time job in sports when he accepted an offer from the Manchester Monarchs of the AHL. It was this career boost that allowed Abrams to discover how an in-arena show was produced and executed. A year later, he received a job offer from the NHL’s  St. Louis Blues. Abrams spent 5 years with the Blues fine tuning his skills as a video producer and video board director.

In 2015, Abrams left the Blues and professional sports to pursue an opportunity with the World Wrestling Entertainment. He spent the next 2 years traveling the country and parts of the world as a screen tech for WWE. It was this job that helped Abrams develop his skills in the area of video technology and expand upon the skills he had started to develop in his first internship almost 10 years later.

Finally, in 2017, Abrams was given a chance to come back into the world of hockey when he was tasked with starting the video production department for the Vegas Golden Knights. As executive producer, he manages the video production team where he leads production, workflows, and best practices. In addition, Abrams also runs point on broadcast and video technology for the organization.

Dan Armstrong, FingerWorks Telestrators, Technical Lead

Dan Armstrong has been technical lead and support manager for FingerWorks since 2014.

Eric Bassier, Quantum, Senior Director of Product Marketing and Enablement

Eric Bassier is senior director of product marketing and enablement at Quantum. Bassier has 20 years of experience in data storage, data management, and data protection. He has spent the last 10 years in market-facing leadership roles.

Benjy Boxer, Parsec, CEO and Co-Founder

Benjy Boxer is the CEO and co-founder of Parsec. He co-founded Parsec with Chris Dickson in 2016 to change how people access their work and gaming hardware, allowing millions to seamlessly work, collaborate, and play together from anywhere. Prior to Parsec, Boxer ran product strategy at NewsCred and worked on the corporate development team at AOL.

Jonathan Carr, Levels Beyond, Client Solutions Executive

Jonathan Carr is a client solutions executive for Levels Beyond. In this role, he develops the technical solutions and reference architectures for media orchestration for many Enterprise clients. He is also responsible for educating and enabling delivery teams to successfully deliver these projects.

Carr joined the Levels Beyond team in 2017 after nine years in various solution architecture, solution design, and engineering roles across a variety of industries and sectors. He has a degree in mechanical engineering from Tufts University in Medford, MA and a master’s degree in engineering management from the Tufts Gordon Institute in Medford, MA.

Thomas Chen, Seton Hall University, Associate Athletics Director for Digital Media and Communications

Thomas Chen is currently serving as the associate director of athletics for digital media and communications at Seton Hall, a position he was promoted to in July 2017 after previously holding the title of assistant director of athletics. He has been a member of the Seton Hall Pirates staff since December 2014 and has over 10 years of experience in the communications/sports information field.

Chen oversees all aspects of communications for the athletics department, including media relations, publications, television and radio, and the official athletics department website, SHUPirates.com. He also oversees the department’s digital and social media properties, including the Pirate Sports Network, which Chen overhauled to become a student-run organization that educates Seton Hall students on live broadcast production and creative digital media.

Prior to coming to Seton Hall, Chen spent four and a half years at Stony Brook University, where he was hired as the director of athletic communications in September 2010 before being promoted to assistant director of athletics for communications in July 2013. In addition to overseeing all communications efforts and serving as media contact for the men’s basketball and baseball teams, Chen also served on the department’s management team, working directly with the director of athletics on longterm projects designed to enhance the student-athlete experience.

Before his experience at Stony Brook, Chen worked for six years at his alma mater, Northeastern University. After serving as a student assistant at Northeastern for three years, Chen was hired as assistant director of sports information in June 2007. After earning a promotion to associate director in 2009, he successfully coordinated media strategies for the Matthews Arena renovation and the Sun Life Frozen Fenway event, which featured the Northeastern women’s hockey team in collegiate women’s hockey’s first-ever outdoor game.

Brandon Costa, SVG, Director of Digital

Brandon Costa covers the sports video production industry with a focus on live streaming, over-the-top (OTT), social media, and other digital distribution technologies and platforms. He also directs SVG’s internal digital strategies launching the company’s video outfit, ‘SVG On Demand,’ designing and overseeing its mobile application, ‘SVG Mobile,’ and serving as executive producer and host of The SVG Podcast. Costa serves as program director of networking events serving the SVG College and SVG Digital communities. Prior to his time at SVG, Costa spent five years producing digital content for MLB Advanced Media.

Chris Gargano, New York Jets, Vice President and Executive Producer

Chris Gargano is now in his sixth year with the New York Jets as vice president and executive producer. He oversees JETS 360, which is responsible for all Jets produced content – including video production, social media, and editorial – to provide football fans an all-access pass to unique, engaging, quality content over a variety of platforms. Through social media, the team’s website, and an award-winning docuseries, fans get everything from an up-close-and-personal look at the action, to real-time news, stylized photos and videos, and in-depth feature television programming.

Prior to joining the Jets, Gargano was the senior director of SFG Productions and Entertainment for the San Francisco Giants for eight seasons. Before working for the Giants, he was the director of broadcasting for the Oakland Raiders for six seasons. Prior to that, he was a reporter, anchor, producer, and executive producer at broadcast stations around the country.

Gargano graduated from St. Mary’s College of California with a BA in communications and a master’s degree in leadership studies.

Taylor Gilkeson, Los Angeles Rams, Managing Producer

Taylor Gilkeson is a west coast-based DP / producer and a storyteller at heart. Currently, he is the managing producer for the Los Angeles Rams. He oversees their video productions and manages their talented team of producers.

Gilkeson’s side hustle is producing visually pleasing content for his own production company, Future Human Productions / FTRHMN.com. He aspires to be as great as the professionals that he idolizes, and every day provides an opportunity to push towards that goal.

Dan Goldberger, Atlanta Dream, Director of Digital Media and Marketing

Dan Goldberger is entering his sixth season with the Atlanta Dream, serving as the director of marketing and communications. He oversees the day-to-day operations of the marketing and communication departments for the Dream.

Prior to coming to the Dream, Goldberger enjoyed time at the Fox Theatre, Fox Sports South, and the Georgia Tech Athletic Association in various marketing and communication roles.

Originally, from Brooklyn, NY, Goldberger currently lives in Atlanta, GA.

Kristian Hernandez, SVG, Associate Editor and Social Media Manager; 2020 Teams Summit Program Director

Kristian Hernandez handles day-to-day construction of the SVG Insider newsletter, oversees all social media content distribution, and covers various sports technology topics for Sports Video Group. In addition, he is the program director for the annual SVG Venue Summit and the first-ever Teams Summit.

Before joining SVG, Hernandez served as co-founder of CHC-TV, the first student-run television studio at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, PA. While at CHC, Hernandez produced a daily sports show named “On the Hill with Hernandez” — covering all men’s and women’s athletics for the college. Also, Hernandez spearheaded the college’s newspaper, “The Griffin”, as its sports editor. Hernandez graduated with a B.A. in communications. Born in Brooklyn, NY, he currently lives in Queens, NY

Paul Hodges, San Francisco Giants, VP of Content and Entertainment

Paul Hodges III serves as the vice president in charge of content and entertainment and oversees SFG production, design studio, photography and live experience and entertainment for the San Francisco Giants. The Content and Entertainment department is responsible for all aspects of content, from design to video, which also includes overall strategy, creative, technical, and workflow. Additionally, Hodges oversees the entertainment and the ballpark experience.

With 20+ years of sports entertainment experience, Hodges received his degree in broadcasting and electronic arts from San Francisco State University and began a career with the San Francisco Giants. In July 2014, he joined the Golden State Warriors as the senior executive producer and starting Warriors Studio, before returning to the Giants in 2016. Hodges has received 15 Northern California Emmys in the last 10 years, in addition to the four Championship Rings between the Giants and the Warriors respectively.

Savannah Hollis, Seattle Kraken, Social Media Manager

Savannah Hollis is the social media voice behind the Seattle Kraken, the NHL’s newest franchise that begins play in 2021. As the team’s social media manager, she has been at the forefront of developing the brand’s personality online and via social media before they had a brand and a name. She was key in developing the launch plan that introduced the Kraken to the world.

Prior to joining the Kraken, Hollis worked in social media and communications roles with the Florida Panthers, Texas Stars Hockey Club, and Nashville Predators. She received a Master’s degree in sports administration from Belmont University and an undergraduate degree in communications from Lipscomb University.

Alexa Ikeler, Philadelphia Flyers, Game Presentation Manager

Alexa Ikeler is currently the game presentation manager for the Philadelphia Flyers and has been for two years. Previously, she served as associate producer for the New Jersey Devils for five years. In fact, Ikeler has been working in the NHL for seven and a half seasons. She has been a part of NHL Draft festivals (producing a Facebook live show at the NHL Draft), opening night ceremonies, and the two Jersey Retirement Ceremonies for NHL Hall of Famers, Martin Brodeur and Patrick Elias.

Ikeler graduated from Lafayette College in Easton, PA with a B.A. in film and media studies. She is originally from the Suburbs of Philly.

Mike Kelley, Grabyo, President, Americas

Ken Kerschbaumer, SVG, Executive Director, Editorial

Ken Kerschbaumer is co-executive director of editorial services for the Sports Video Group and SVG Europe. He was a co-founder of SVG along with Paul Gallo and Marty Porter in 2005 and has been writing about how sports networks and leagues use video and audio technology to deliver a quality TV experience since 1991. Kerschbaumer began his career in 1991 at Television Broadcast magazine before joining Cahners where he was founding editor of Digital Broadcasting magazine. In 2000, he joined Broadcasting & Cable magazine as senior editor of technology where he covered all aspects of broadcasting, cable, and internet content creation and distribution.

Logan Ketchum, Veritone, Director of Sales and Strategic Partnerships

Logan Ketchum was an early influencer in the practical application of artificial intelligence in media and entertainment, working with organizations like NBCU, Bloomberg, ViacomCBS, the San Francisco Giants, and many more.

At Veritone, Ketchum’s focus is on helping enterprise customers effectively implement AI work streams within their day-to-day businesses to impact workflow automation and content activation, resulting in increased audience engagement and boosts to associated revenue streams.

Shahbaz Khan, Minnesota Timberwolves, Director of Digital Content

Shahbaz Khan is the director of digital content for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He graduated in 2015 from the University of Minnesota with a degree in strategic communications and minors in leadership and advertising. Khan has worked in the NBA for the past seven seasons.

Greg Maratea, Iron Mountain Entertainment Services, Director of Global Client Solutions

Gregory Maratea, director of global client solutions, came to Iron Mountain Entertainment Services in 2015 from a career in post production where he specialized in producing DI/ finishing, as well as film remastering and digital restoration. Taking his knowledge of workflow and processes, Maratea and the IMES Technology team create client solutions ranging from the migration of end-of-life media assets to integration with the latest cloud technologies to looking forward to wide-scale virtualization of systems and software. Since joining IMES, Maratea and the IMES team have successfully migrated over 1.5PB of physical assets to files, resulting in otherwise unused and unseen content being preserved, monetized, and given a new life.

Brad Martens, San Francisco Giants, Director of Media Systems and Workflow

Brad Martens has worked for the San Francisco Giants for 12 seasons. An alumnus of San Francisco State University’s Radio and Television department, he was able to turn a summer internship into a full time career of digital media management with the Giants. Martens grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area as a huge Giants fan and is truly honored to currently be leading the Giants Legacy Project – the effort to preserve and digitize the team’s historical audio and video assets. During his time with the Giants, Martens has accumulated three World Series Rings and nine San Francisco/Northern California Chapter Regional Emmy Awards.

Bryan McKoen, FingerWorks Telestrators, President

Bryan is the president and founding owner of FingerWorks, which started in 1998 and is trusted as the biggest in the game and always innovating.

Brad Phinney, Las Vegas Raiders, Vice President, Production and Programming

Brad Phinney is the vice president of production and programming for the Las Vegas Raiders. He is responsible for the content, production, and delivery of all media published on the team’s owned and operated platforms, social media, broadcast, live entertainment, and the in-stadium game day presentation.

Kevin Slattery, United States Naval Academy, Director of Football Creative Design

Don Sperling, New York Giants, Vice President and Executive Producer

In 2007, Don Sperling was named VP and executive producer of Giants Entertainment, the media, events, programming, production, and marketing arm of the New York Football Giants. Sperling oversees all television, radio, digital and social media, publishing, creative services, events, marketing, and game day stadium event presentations. He was formerly the president of D&L Media, a full-service production, development, and consulting company, specializing in new media and digital strategy across all platforms, branding, live events, television and film production, broadcasting, entertainment, news, sports, and media training.

Sperling was SVP and executive producer of NBA Entertainment for fifteen years, responsible for the overall branding, development, programming, promotion, and creative direction. He also fostered the NBA’s global success and expansion; created and developed NBA Inside Stuff – NBC’s and now NBA TV’s extremely successful and longest-running weekly sports and entertainment show airing 52 weeks a year; and helped develop the NBA’s award-winning “I Love This Game” image campaign, public service announcements, and a wide array of promotions.

Prior to working at the NBA, Sperling worked as a producer and writer in the News and Sports Department at CNN. He also worked for CBS News, NBC, WCBS-TV, and IBM.

Sean Tabler, Los Angeles Chargers, Director of Game Presentation

Pursuing adrenaline inducing experiences is Sean Tabler’s true passion. Sometimes that means jumping out of a plane but more commonly it involves operating in a high-stakes environment, captivating audiences, pixel peeping content, and brainstorming with like-minded individuals.

At the Los Angeles Chargers, Tabler has the unique privilege of tackling the majority of these situations on a daily basis. As the director of game presentation, he serves as the show caller on game days ensuring all aspects of the fan journey are executed as planned. Additionally, Tabler was the principal architect responsible for developing all in-bowl entertainment for two different stadiums in four years, including the design and presentation style for the one-of-a-kind video board at SoFi Stadium. Prior to 2017, he spent four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, where he created video content for a stadium show that consistently ranked as the top fan experience in the league.

Before his time in the NFL, Tabler spent seven years honing his production skills in Los Angeles, by working on TV shows spanning multiple genres including documentary, reality, talk show, award show, and travel. He was able to get his hands dirty with every phase in the production process, which fostered Tabler’s professional development. He started his development at Brooks Institute of Photography where he earned a bachelor’s degree in film and television.

Mark Witte, Colorado Rapids, Director of Event Presentation

Mark Witte is entering his second season as director of event presentation for the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer. He is responsible for overseeing the fan experience and overall presentation of gameday and events for the Colorado Rapids.

Prior to being with the Rapids, Witte spent seven years (2013 – 2019) with the Orlando City Soccer Club starting as an operations intern and progressing to manager of marketing and fan engagement. He was a part of many firsts in Orlando including the launch of the team’s inaugural season in MLS, the launch of the NWSL franchise Orlando Pride, and the opening of a soccer-specific stadium in Orlando. He also assisted with world class events such as the World Cup Qualifiers. In Orlando, Witte was apart of the gameday production by assisting with script writing, directing, and hosting for Orlando City, Orlando Pride, and OCB matches. 

Witte is a graduate from the University of Central Florida with a degree in marketing. He currently lives in Brighton, CO just outside of the city of Denver.