Executive Team

Mr. Ianno is a media and entertainment executive with 30 years of experience and accomplishments in entrepreneurial endeavors, strategy/business development, and merchant banking. His specialty/expertise is in 'high profile' Content Finance and Distribution within Filmed Entertainment and Digital Media. Named one of Variety's 'Top 40 Dealmakers', Dominic has consistently been involved with high quality IP, including hit movie Soul Surfer. Mr. Ianno holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Mr. Baldecchi is a content producer with a focus on developing IP for streaming and theatrical movies and episodic shows. John has comprehensive knowledge of financing for film and television as well as foreign distribution. John's ability to bridge the different business cultures from technology and new media to television, movies and video games have served to make him a unique player in the space. Mr. Baldecchi's producing highlights include The Mexican, Conan the Barbarian, Point Break, Happy Death Day, Happy Death Day 2U and Odd Thomas, as well as many others.

Alex has operated at the most senior level of Non-Scripted TV development and production in both the US and the UK. He's worked with industry powerhouse Mark Burnett at MGM and was formerly Head of ITV Entertainment for ITV America. He's led creative strategy, created, developed and sold a variety of shows to streamers, networks and cable-nets and managed big budget projects from conception through to delivery. He has an extensive track record as a show runner. His producing credits include Big Brother, The Contender, Dancing On Ice and many more.

Mr. Gmelich is a seasoned entertainment executive with over 2 decades of experience in digital and physical distribution. An alumnus of Warner Bros and Hulu, among others, a pivotal career experience for Griffin was helping Hulu cultivate their SVOD & AVOD service by leading their film and comedy verticals for several years. Mr. Gmelich has also held executive positions in Content Licensing and Programming, and Business Development/Sales and has launched 6 OTT channels including Whistle TV and the Comedy Dynamics Network over the course of his career.

Chris is an entertainment industry veteran with 15 years of experience in the financial, creative and analytical sides of business. Most recently he was Senior Manager, Growth at Team Whistle. By combining the audience data, research, IP, and creative strategy he worked on building a more holistic, insights-driven activation model to drive company performance and revenues. Prior to that he was a Co-Founder and Head of Marketing for Silent Legends, a mobile video game studio. He spearheaded the team that developed and launched two mobile video games on iOS and Android. Additionally, Chris worked on the team that financed and produced the critically acclaimed feature film, Soul Surfer, and the Broadway play Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Jessica has worked in development at ITV, Team Whistle, Telepictures, Kingdom Reign, and Collins Avenue. Jessica was a Producer on Siwa's Dance Pop Revolution on NBC Peacock & E!. She has been a Casting Producer on TV shows and development projects for Lifetime, Nickelodeon, NBC Peacock, Bravo, and ABC. Jessica graduated from University of the Arts in Philly with her BFA in Directing, Playwriting, and Production. She directed and assisted at theater companies in NYC and Philly from 2011-2015 (Atlantic Theater Company, Roundabout, Azuka, InterAct, Plays and Players, Fringe Arts, Philly Young Playwrights, etc.) She received her MFA in Film and Production at Full Sail University in 2016 where she was awarded the Advanced Achievement Recipient.

Recently, Lezlie was the SVP of Accounting and Corporate Controller for EZ Texting, a mobile and web solution for sending out mass SMS, MMS and voice messages. There, she built four departments while the company went from 19-200 employees. Prior to joining EZ Texting, Lezlie was the COO and CFO at DoSomething.org, managing both domestic and international accounting departments and back-office operations. Her career in accounting and financial management spans 25 years with experience that ranges from not-for-profits to Fortune 100 companies, in industries such as tech, startups, publishing and insurance. Additionally, Lezlie has produced theatrically released indie feature films, Revival and Avenged.

Kevin heads the Corporate Banking practice at Fifth Third Bank, overseeing the national commercial team which brings together the deep industry expertise and insight within Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT), Entertainment, and other industries. Prior to joining the bank, Kevin was managing director and led part of the Communications, Media & Entertainment Group at CIT. Prior to CIT, Kevin spent time in the commercial banking practices at GE, DLJ and JPMorgan. Kevin holds an MBA in finance from Columbia Business School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Rochester.

As Chief Strategy Officer & President of Cineverse, Erick drives Cineverse's corporate strategy and M&A efforts, and also oversees strategy, development, programming, and operations for a portfolio of twenty OTT streaming SVOD, AVOD and linear networks. Previously, Erick was EVP of Cineverse's Global Digital distribution business, where he oversaw the distribution of the company's 50,000+ hours of content for partners including WWE, The Jim Henson Company, The NFL, Shout Factory, and more. Prior to Cineverse, Erick co-founded and ran New Video Digital, growing it into the largest independent film & tv aggregator in the world. Erick began his career at Madstone Entertainment, a vertically-integrated exhibitor, distributor and digital cinema pioneer. Erick has been named a Digital Driver seven times by Home Media Magazine and is a board and executive committee member of OTT.X, the entertainment industry's largest streaming trade organization. He is a member of the Producer's Guild of America and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.​

James began his career at J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc. in the leveraged finance department structuring deals and analyzing capital structures for domestic and international clients. He later joined The National Football League as a Senior Strategic Analyst and subsequently joined the N.Y. Jets / The Johnson Company as the Strategic and Financial Advisor to the winning bidder for $635 million purchase of the N.Y. Jets franchise. James then joined the private equity group within Citigroup Alternative Investments where he was an investment officer and Chief Financial Officer. Joining Klingenstein, Fields & Co. as a partner and CFO, he then became President of the firm and currently manages client accounts as well as overseas KFA’s alternative investment efforts. James is a director of Viagogo (Pugnacious Endeavors, Inc.) and has served on the boards of a number of private companies. He is also an advisory board Member of KBW Capital Partners I, L.P. and is a Member of the Young Presidents’ Organization and on the Board of the Westchester Children’s Museum. James graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University with a B.A. in Economics and received an M.B.A. with honors in Entrepreneurial Management and Finance from the Wharton School.​

Robert Norton has over 30 years of experience in the production and financing of film and television product. Until recently he was the Chief Business Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Animal Logic (Happy Feet, The Lego Movie series, Peter Rabbit). Prior to Animal Logic, he served for nine years as Chief Financial Officer of Endgame Entertainment, the producer of Looper, the Steven Soderbergh-directed Side Effects and the Oscar-nominated An Education. As Chief Operating Officer of Scott Free, the film production company owned by film directors Ridley and Tony Scott, Mr. Norton was responsible for all business aspects of the company that produced GI Jane, Crimson Tide and the Oscar-winning Gladiator. ​

Mr. Ianno is a media and entertainment executive with 30 years of experience and accomplishments in entrepreneurial endeavors, strategy/business development, and merchant banking. His specialty/expertise is in ‘high profile’ Content Finance and Distribution within Filmed Entertainment and Digital Media. He has been a key ground-floor player on six separate launch teams in established companies and startups. Named one of Variety’s ‘Top 40 Dealmakers’ in 2011, Dominic has consistently been involved with high quality IP, including hit movie Soul Surfer ($44MM DBO, ~$105MM Worldwide, Cinema Score A+), video games Terminator III and Matrix II & III and the Broadway production of Breakfast at Tiffany’s. He has financed movies starring Dennis Quaid, Emilia Clarke, Rachel Weisz, Billy Bob Thorton, Domnhall Gleeson, Christina Applegate, Luke Wilson, Helen Hunt, James Marsden, Cynthia Nixon, Carrie Underwood, Gretchen Mol, Piper Perabo, David Strathairn and others. As the founder of Indomitable Entertainment, he established a niche for executive producing independent feature films (~ $62 million in financing over six years via ten projects). Ianno is a consummate leader, team-builder, entrepreneur and out-of-the-box thinker who has managed over 100 direct reports.

Sean Carey is an experienced media and entertainment executive whose 25-year career has included roles in film finance, corporate development, strategic planning, content acquisition and digital entertainment. As the Vice President of Content for Netflix, he was responsible for the acquisition of television series for the expanding global footprint of the Netflix service. Before joining Netflix, Carey was an executive at Sony Corporation. He led strategic content initiatives at Sony Corporation of America, helping develop and implement partnerships with content providers, and was responsible for digital strategy and distribution at Sony Pictures. Prior to those roles, he led the corporate development group at Sony Pictures, where he was responsible for film financing, strategic planning and mergers and acquisitions.

As a visionary two-time CEO, founder, investor, operator, and board director, Sherrese brings over 20 years of experience leading across corporate finance, capital markets, investment banking, and private equity with a focus in the Communications and Media & Entertainment sector. She leverages a strong record of building portfolios in capital markets that have delivered significant returns to investors, with deep expertise in asset management, M&A, divestitures, and P&L oversight for Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS), CIT Group (NYSE: CIT), and GE Capital. Her experience in evaluation, finance, investment, and competitive analysis provides insights on investment strategies, portfolio amplification, and business models, enabling her to ask the right questions and advise both nascent companies in emerging markets as well as those competing on the global stage.

Teresa Miles Walsh is the CEO & Managing Director of Access Media Advisory, LLC. Prior to founding AMA in 2003, Teresa was based in London as Vice Chairman and Managing Director, European Telecommunications, Media and Technology at Merrill Lynch. Before that, Teresa was Head of the European Media Investment Banking Group from 1997 until 2002; from 1989 until 1996 Teresa worked in various investment banking roles at Merrill Lynch New York, including Project & Lease Finance, Utilities and Media Groups. Teresa participated in transactions totaling in excess of $75 billion in deal value while at Merrill Lynch.

Teresa received her MBA with distinction in 1987 from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University and has her BA in Economics, Magna Cum Laude, also from Duke University. Teresa is an Emeritus member of the Board of Visitors at the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University and serves as an independent director and Audit Commitee member of the Board of Directors at Upland Software (UPLD) and previously was a Board Member and Chairman of the Audit Committee of Forest Road Acquisition Corp (FRX.U) before its de-SPACing (NYSE:BODY).

Virl Hill is a Consultant, Strategic Advisor and Angel Investor, focused on building and accelerating the growth of consumer internet and digital media businesses at startups, growing companies and large organizations.

Prior to his tenure at Microsoft and RealNetworks, he headed the strategic planning team for The Walt Disney Company's Television and Non-Feature Animation production divisions. He also previously worked in international distribution at Hanna-Barbera Productions and in investment banking with Credit Suisse First Boston.

Mr. Hill is a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and The Recording Academy.

He holds an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.

Ken Basin currently works as the Global Head of Business Operations at Riot Entertainment, where he manages business affairs, operations, and physical production for film and television. Previously, he served as Executive Vice President, Business Affairs at Paramount Television, where he was responsible for dealmaking with talent, producers, and licensees in support of Paramount's broad slate of premium original television programming. Prior to joining Paramount, Ken served as Vice President, U.S. Business Affairs for Sony Pictures Television, and before that, Co-Head of Business Affairs for Amazon Studios. Ken is also a published scholar, as well as a long-time speaker and commentator, on entertainment and intellectual property legal matters. Since 2014, he has been a Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School, where he teaches Entertainment and Media Law, and has previously served as an Adjunct Professor at UCLA School of Law (teaching Television Law) and Southwestern Law School (teaching Motion Picture Production Law).

Amy Baker is the CEO and Co-Founder at WINSTON | BAKER, where she oversees the company's global strategic planning, business development and vendor relationships. Prior to establishing Winston/Baker, she successfully directed B2B and B2C business development efforts for over 10 years, by leveraging innovative sponsorship methods to engage business professionals. At ALM — as Vice President of Business Development — she provided marketers with targeted channels for reaching decision-makers within the legal, real estate, financial, pharma, and tech sectors. In her preceding position, Director of Business Development at RPMC, she worked with entertainment, music, and sports companies, creating event marketing programs, travel incentive services, sweepstakes, and media promotions. Prior to RPMC, Baker was Sales Manager at Strategic Research Institute where she was responsible for selling sponsorships for investment, banking, legal, healthcare, and emerging technology conferences. Baker received a Bachelors degree in Psychology with honors from New York University.

Tom Jump has held global and domestic executive marketing and GM leadership roles corporate side at General Motors and Pepsico/Pizza Hut, at global agencies Leo Burnett and Mullen/Lowe, and in early-stage companies. Mr. Jump frequently acts as an advisor to start-ups, C-level and private equity executives and has been a Board member for 10 years at Partners Continuing Care Network.

As a partner at Handler, Thayer, Mr. Thayer advises businesses on their formation issues, capital structures, private placement offerings, and other business contracts.  He has represented clients on both sides of venture capital transactions, private equity transactions, debt offerings, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, and other finance transactions. Additionally, Mr. Thayer has represented and advised athletes, entertainers, and other celebrities in the negotiation of business contracts. He has reviewed and advised clients on the acquisition of sports teams, movie production agreements, agency contracts, modeling agreements, endorsement agreements, private equity transactions, and other business arrangements.