Chip Johanssen
Writer, Producer, Attorney
Chip Johannessen was born in Detroit and educated at Harvard University, where he wrote pieces for The Harvard Lampoon. He later embarked on a short-lived career as a rock guitarist before turning his attention to writing. His past credits include; “Beverly Hills 90210” “Homeland” “24” “Dexter” “Millennium”, and “Crow:Salvataion.”
Rene Echevarria
Writer, Producer, Showrunner
Most recently, Rene Echevarria co-created and Executive Produced Carnival Row starring Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne, now going into its second season on Amazon Prime. A veteran showrunner and show creator, he’s behind such long-running series as The 4400, Teen Wolf, and Medium. The son of Cuban immigrants, Rene has had the privilege of being mentored by and collaborating with childhood heroes such as Gene Roddenberry (on Star Trek: The Next Generation), Steven Spielberg (on Terra Nova), and James Cameron (Dark Angel).
Elaine Frontain Bryant
Executive Vice President and Head of Programming at A&E
Elaine Frontain Bryant is Executive Vice President and Head of Programming at A&E® Network, a position she has held since March 2015. She manages the A&E programming team and is responsible for overseeing the development, creation and execution of all programming for the network.
Steve M. Jones
Managing director and Chief Operating Office - US Credit - Oak Hill Advisors
Mr. Jones serves as a member of OHA’s Diversity & Inclusion Council. Mr. Jones was previously a partner at Plainfield Asset Management, where he served as the president of the firm’s specialty finance business. Prior to Plainfield, he spent more than 20 years at Salomon Brothers Inc and its successor entities (Salomon Smith Barney and Citigroup). Mr. Jones was a founding member of Salomon Brothers’ high yield department and subsequently became the head of Global Leveraged Finance. Later, he created Citigroup’s Global Loan Portfolio Management Group and launched and led the bank’s Global Structured Credit Products Group. Mr. Jones received a B.S., summa cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame and an M.B.A., with highest distinction, from the Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth College.
Lathan Hodge
Producer, Writer
The Chicago native served as Executive Producer for television specials for Touchstone Pictures, Columbia Pictures, New Line and Paramount Pictures. The award-winning producer has garnered three NAACP Image Awards, the NEA Award and two Emmy awards for his work in television. He is the Executive Producer and Cocreator of “INNER CHEF” on Discovery Home Channel with New York chef Marcus Samuelsson.
Lathan was the Executive Producer and show runner for “CHUCK DʼS MUSICIANS STUDIO” featuring Quincy Jones on the Sundance Channel. He is the Producer of the feature-length documentary PUBLIC ENEMY “WELCOME TO THE TERRORDOME” which premiered at the American Film Institute.
Roberto Schaefer
Director of Photography
Roberto Schaefer is a cinematographer known for his work on The Host (2013), The Kite Runner (2007) and Finding Neverland (2004) among many others. Roberto DP’d Gary’s first film “Just Your Luck” and they remain close friends and collaborators.
