FOUNDING TEAM

  • Louis Dargenzio is an experienced entertainment professional with nearly two decades in the industry. Starting his career as a Teamster Local 399 Honeywagon Driver, Louis worked his way up to become the founder of Zio Studio Services, a leading production services company, and later served as President of Sunset Studios. With credits on over 100 film and television productions for studios like Disney, Netflix, and Warner Bros., Louis brings a hands-on approach and a deep understanding of the industry. Today, he leads Zello Group, focusing on entertainment, business, and real estate.

  • A seasoned entertainment executive, has held leadership roles at NBCUniversal, Electus, and Shine International, driving global content success. At NBCUniversal, as EVP of Commercial Development, he oversaw unscripted collaborations with top talent like Dwayne Johnson and Jennifer Lopez, managing over 40 producer and talent deals while expanding the studio’s reach beyond NBC platforms. At Electus, he led the distribution of 4,000+ hours of content to 170+ countries. At Shine International, he was instrumental in launching franchises like MasterChef and The Biggest Loser.

  • Brand expert, entrepreneur and investor founded his Agency 25 years ago and has worked across multiple sectors with several hyper-scaling brands including Absolut Vodka, Virgin, DAOU, Formula 1 and Apple TV+.

  • Lisa Jammal, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Social Intelligence Agency (SIA), Lisa Jammal stands as a pioneering force in the industry, recognized for her trailblazing work in spearheading social media strategies for global companies and media giants like Disney Channel, Recording Academy, and COSM. She sets the standard for captivating audience experiences, particularly evident in her full-scale social production for events like The GRAMMY Awards & The Emmy Awards.

  • Amanda Hallberg is an experienced set decorator who has worked in film and television for over 15 years, working on productions such as Somewhere, Restless, The Bling Ring, Moving On and Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun. An Altadena resident, she cherishes the community which embraced her and her young family, and believes that providing people with the resources to create their own spaces is a powerful means to preserve their dignity and gain a sense of normalcy in the midst of this unprecedented tragedy.

  • Jared Robbins is a seasoned transportation coordinator with extensive experience in the entertainment industry. A proud member of Teamster Local 399, Jared specializes in managing logistics and transportation for productions across major studios. His expertise ensures seamless operations for film and television projects, supporting the entertainment community with professionalism and reliability.

  • David Flannery is a highly skilled locations manager and proud Altadena native with a proven track record in the entertainment industry. A dedicated member of Teamster Local 399 and the Location Managers Guild International (LMGI), David excels in scouting, securing, and managing locations for major film and television productions. His expertise ensures that each project achieves its creative vision while maintaining seamless logistics and operations.

  • Ashlyn Mangandi is a dedicated professional and the glue that makes everything happen at Zello Group. With a background at Zio Studio Services and Quixote, she excels in elevating every encounter and bringing hospitality into all aspects of the organization. A proud Altadena resident, Ashlyn’s resilience shines through in her work, even after her family’s home and her three daughters’ school were lost in the Eaton Fire. Her unwavering commitment is key to Zello’s success.

  • Samuel Houser, the founder of Houser Studio, is passionate about bringing brands to life. Born and raised in sunny Los Angeles, California, he’s been immersed in the world of design and marketing for over a decade. At just 28, he has more than 10 years of experience crafting everything from logos to full-scale brand transformations.

  • Susan McNamara is a highly respected Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager with extensive experience overseeing large-scale film and television productions. A proud member of the Directors Guild of America (DGA) and an IMDb-credited industry professional, Susan is renowned for her exceptional communication skills, tireless work ethic, and ability to navigate complex challenges with precision and grace.


    Throughout her career, Susan has been instrumental in bringing ambitious projects to life, including notable shows and films such as Skeleton Crew (2024),  Licorice Pizza (2021), Captain Marvel (2019), I Am Number Four (2011), and Sicario (2015).

  • Margaret Erquiaga is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience at NBCUniversal, where she serves as Director of the Global Brand Standards program overseeing all program operations and co-leads the Green@NBCUniversal LA team. Dedicated to making a positive impact, she has recently joined efforts to support Zello in providing relief to families affected by the LA wildfires.

  • Matt Hartwell is a film and television writer who has developed and written projects with Six Point Harness, CBS Studios, Lionsgate and Exile Content. He is proud to call Altadena home, alongside his wife and young son, where he also runs Altadenatech, a small boutique IT firm focused on helping elderly residents of Altadena and Pasadena stay connected and teaching them how to use their smartphones and tablets.

  • Michelle Crochet, Realtor and Director of Magnolia Group at Keller Williams Realty World Media Center, is the number one solo agent in her brokerage.  She has depth of experience working with both buyers and sellers transacting their primary home as well as with investors, and is a homeowner and real estate investor herself.  She has called LA home for over a decade and lives in Magnolia Park, Burbank with her two young children and husband of fourteen years, who works in Entertainment.  She has a Bachelor of Science from UC Berkeley and Italian Studies minor, and holds dual citizenship with Italy.  She cares deeply about helping people through her work within real estate as well as her volunteer work.

  • Ingrid Ashida is an MBA candidate at the USC Marshall School of Business, where she serves as the Assistant Vice President of Academics for the Marshall Graduate Student Association and the Assistant Vice President of Events for Marshall Gives Back, Marshall’s philanthropic organization. She spent six years working with early-stage startups in the entertainment-tech space, focusing on partnering with technical founders to translate emerging technologies into working prototypes, and notably contributing to the launch of the generative music visualization tool Synesthesia. She is passionate about creating real value in the world through human-centric technology, philanthropy, and community building.

  • Imani Cutler is an MBA candidate at USC Marshall School of Business with a background in engineering and supply chain. Before moving to Los Angeles, she spent five years working in warehousing and operations. The belief that communities require both immediate relief and long-term support drives Imani’s commitment to helping with the California fires. Her dedication stems from a deep desire to assist individuals and families in rebuilding their lives, fostering hope, and creating lasting solutions for stronger, more resilient communities.

  • Caroline is a first-year MBA student at USC Marshall with previous experience in operations, event planning, and project management. She is passionate about arts and entertainment, and is grateful for the opportunity to aid in the recovery of her new community.

  • Tessa Vande Creek is an MBA candidate at USC Marshall School of Business with a background in content operations and entertainment. Prior to moving to Los Angeles, she spent five years with Paramount leading content strategy and process management. Having personally experienced the challenges of a devastating house fire, Tessa brings a unique perspective, making her particularly well-suited to advise others in similar situations.

CHAMPIONS

  • Scott Bobbitt is a seasoned Lead Person in Set Decoration, with a successful film career as a proud IATSE member for over 38 years.

    In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, Scott is a creative real estate strategist, known for implementing innovative approaches to property ownership and management. As the owner of the Starlet and Melody Apartments in Burbank, across from Warner Brothers, he also maintains a robust apartment portfolio in other parts of Los Angeles. As a proud Angeleno, he combines creativity and strategy to drive success in both film and real estate.

  • Brant Pinvidic is an award-winning film director, veteran television producer, and the #1 bestselling author of The 3-Minute Rule. He has taken the life, business, and storytelling lessons he’s developed during his Hollywood career and used them to become one of the most sought-after C-level sales and presentations coaches, keynote speakers, and top-rated columnist for Forbes.

  • Roger Bojarski, a seasoned transportation coordinator in the motion picture industry. With 37 years of experience as a member of Teamster Local 399, I've had the privilege of working on a diverse array of projects, including feature films, TV shows, commercials, and music videos.

    Some the highlights of my career include working on acclaimed productions such as "Suicide Squad," King Richard," and "Mr. and Mrs. Smith." I am known for my professionalism, loyalty, and ability to work effectively under pressure, ensuring seamless logistics and coordination on set. I absolutely love the motion picture industry; my passion drives me, and I'm always looking forward to what is in store next.

  • Jeff is a seasoned executive with 30 years of expertise in investing, strategic planning, and operations, with a career spanning entrepreneurship, private equity, and corporate management. He has structured and executed transactions to acquire, grow, and sell multiple companies, building businesses from the ground up and transforming small operations into thriving enterprises. Most recently, Jeff led the Global Studios & Services business in a joint venture between Blackstone and Hudson Pacific, where he established the business vision, oversaw multiple acquisitions, and spearheaded studio real estate developments in LA, NYC, and London.

    Jeff also serves on the Board of Directors of Jacob Stern & Sons, a 6th-generation, family-owned commodities trading and distribution firm generating over $1 billion in annual revenue. Prior to leading Sunset Studios, Jeff was a key executive in Strategy & Global Development at The Walt Disney Company, driving large-scale domestic and international growth initiatives. Earlier in his career, Jeff acquired SEMCO Aerospace, an aviation maintenance company, which he sold at a 3.5x return on investment, and The Craft-Art Company, a specialty countertop manufacturer, which achieved a 5x equity return.

    Jeff holds an MBA with a concentration in Finance and Strategic Management from Wharton and a BS in Industrial Engineering from Northwestern University.

  • Erik has been a resident of Los Angeles for the last 21 years, starting out in the tech sector of commercial real estate with CB Richard Ellis and then later moving to commercial management accounting for Lowe Enterprises luxury resorts. He has spent the last 15 years working as a financial executive for CBS and Paramount, budgeting and forecasting for television and streaming. He is a local scout leader and coach in Burbank where he lives with his wife and two kids in Magnolia Park.

  • John Brennan is the Founder and President of Brennan Construction.  With a career spanning over 15 years, John has established himself as a leader in our local construction industry, known for his commitment to quality and excellence.

    With his headquarters located in his hometown of Burbank, California, Brennan Construction operates primarily in the San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley, and northern areas of Los Angeles. John offers a comprehensive suite of in-house services that include conceptual design, architectural planning, structural engineering, and construction management. His extensive knowledge and hands-on experience enable him to guide his clients through the entire construction process, ensuring that each project is tailored to meet their unique needs and vision.

“Together, we will create a network of support that helps our community rise stronger than ever.”

Louis Dargenzio, Founder of Zello