It's not what you
know. It's not the people you know. It's what
the people you know know.
Get to know us!
|
| |
SENIOR
MANAGEMENT
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
David Case, "The Big
Kahuna"
President and CEO
David "Don't Call Me Dave" Case founded PMI in 1985
in an effort to avoid being fired once again from the tumultuous world of television
production.
A native of Lexington, Kentucky, David holds a Bachelor
of Science degree with majors in Math, Physics and Computer Science.
He had an avid interest in Aeronautical Engineering, but accidentally found his
way into television production.
David arrived in Pittsburgh in 1974 to work at a TV station on what he thought was to be temporary
assignment that was to last a month. He liked Western Pennsylvania so much, he stayed and
became active in the community. Today he is an active member of numerous industry related associations and serves on the board of several organizations.
David finds his inspiration in the memories
of his father, who, although never wealthy, was rich in all things
that really matter. On the weekends you're likely to find David
either in the woods or in his workshop, where he creates much of
the custom cabinetry you see at PMI. He is also active in church and enjoys spending time with his wife Victoria and daughter Lauren.
|
 |
 |
 |
David A. Hartman, Executive
VP /General Manager
After spending over 12 years working for one of the
world's largest international consulting firms, advising others
on how to run their businesses, David Hartman decided it was time
to "jump in and get his hands dirty" and help to manage his own
company. He felt that the television production business was especially
interesting, so he enthusiastically joined PMI's management team
in 1995. David now actively and effectively runs PMI, and describes
some of his day-to-day activities as, in alphabetical order: analyze,
arbitrate, baby-sit, beg, cajole, celebrate, demand, enjoy, facilitate,
grin, help, inspire, jump, kick, lead, motivate, negotiate, psychoanalyze,
research, sigh, try, wrestle, and yearn...and he reserves the right
to add to this list.
Originally from Indiana, he spent most of his formative
years in Toledo, Ohio and graduated from Miami University of Ohio
with a Bachelor of Science degree. David followed the "love of his
life," his wife Laura, to Pittsburgh and has lived and worked here
ever since.
A lover of summer, coffee and cabernet, David leads the PMI management team, serves as board president of Outreach Teen & Family Service and is actively involved in the Pittsburgh Advertising Federation and the Allegheny Conference on Community Development's Investor Council.
|
| |
 |
 |
Ed Fraticelli, Vice President of Technology
Ed is PMI's resident editorial whiz and well-known
technology guru. He also oversees the Post Production department,
supervises the technical staff and serves as a Senior Editor ... no
wonder he's so busy!
Ranked number one in a class of 200 graduates from
the Penn Technical Institute, Ed holds an Associate Degree in Applied
Technology. He stays on top of the ever-changing world of technology,
and frequently contributes to international trade journals, including
a paper in the prestigious SMPTE Journal.
When Ed isn't performing at PMI, you might find him
working around his house, participating in activities with his children
and singing in the church choir, or enjoying nature.
|
| |
 |
|
Willie, Guard
Dog, Mascot and Designated Driver
Willie first made his appearance at PMI after 9/11.He
decided to become a permanent fixture at PMI in order to increase
morale and to protect the staff from terrorists.
While small in stature, Willie is larger than life
in our hearts. His wish is to grow into a big dog, but for now he
is content to eat, sleep, lick people and go on several walks a
day. He has three human pets of his own at home plus his sister and mother.
While Willie has not yet graduated from high school,
we keep hoping he will sit for his G.E.D. Willie loves the smell
of dog food, the taste of chocolate, and the jingle of his sister's
dog tags, but most of all loves the staff at PMI.
|
| |
SALES
AND CUSTOMER SERVICE
|
|
|
| |
 |
 |
Evie DeSarno, CXO / Senior
Account Executive
Evie has been a Senior Account Executive with PMI since 1994, and has earned her reputation as a crack producer and problem solver -- successfully transferring her childhood wish to be a pediatrician; she now makes sure her patients/clients are healthy and happy.
Having worked her way through Robert Morris University performing as "any character necessary" at a local Chuck E. Cheese, Evie's PMI position requires that she perform "any task necessary" to get a project done most effectively, short of running the camera on shoots. She routinely serves as the client liaison for multiple accounts, develops budgets, schedules and produces, all with that eternally cheery and encouraging approach we've come to know and love.
She is a board member of the Pittsburgh Advertising Federation and serves on the Communications Committee for the March of Dimes. Evie also volunteers her time to various fundraising efforts for the Pittsburgh Film Office and the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium.
|
| |
 |
 |
Dee Dee Woods, Account Executive
The latest addition to PMI is Dee Dee Woods. She
has been around this business for over ten years and has finally
reached the pinnacle as an Account Executive at PMI. Dee Dee began
as a Dance major at Point Park College, but after her second year
decided to transfer into the School of Journalism and Communications.
She especially enjoyed advertising communications, so after she
graduated Dee Dee dee-cided to pursue a career in the advertising
field.
Her first job was at Ketchum, the highly regarded
starting line for many of those in the Pittsburgh advertising market.
After her stint there, Dee Dee stayed close to agencies by working
for companies that provided services and resources to them, as well
as other communications professionals. This experience allowed Dee
Dee to develop the skills to be a good listener, and with her understanding
of the production process, she can communicate the needs and expectations
of her clients to make their projects come to life.
Dee Dee draws her inspiration from family, friends,
strangers, TV, movies and music. She would like to add to her collection
of African Drums, but right now, she only has two.
|
| |
 |
|
Jessica McGinnis, Duplication Coordinator
("The Dub Whisperer")
Jessica traded a career working with a bunch of energetic, creative, ankle-biting kids for one working with a bunch of energetic, creative, demanding clients. A former elementary school teacher, her work experience has certainly given her the patience, organizational skills and diligence necessary for success in the production industry.
Not one to be complacent, Jessica didn't last too long as receptionist and in three short weeks she was moved upstairs. It wasn't that she was unable to perform as receptionist, to the contrary, she did so well that she moved into a key customer service role as Duplication Coordinator. Since then, she's done a great job fulfilling all of our client's duplication needs and is one of the charter members of the PMI Funettes.
In her spare time, Jessica spends time with her husband, Chuck, son, Max, and Boxer, Ally. A lover of accessorizing and fun shoes, she's also our resident donut connoisseur. Jessica earned her Bachelors degree in Elementary Education from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and has a certification in Art Education from Carlow College.
|
| |
 |
|
Carly McLeod, Client Sales & Service
PMI's resident customer service gal is Carly McLeod. She recently graduated with a bachelors degree in Communications Media from Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she was heavily involved in the campus television station and the IUP chapter of the National Broadcasting Society.
Her own "PMI Experience" began with a summer internship in the production department where she worked to learn as much about the industry as possible. Her hard work paid off when they invited her back for the Client Sales & Service position. She makes it her mission to get to know the clients she works with everyday in order to make their "PMI Experience" as enjoyable and rewarding as hers has been.
In her spare time, she enjoys exploring her new neighborhood, playing with her puppy, Nessie, and playing tenor drum in the Balmoral Highlanders Bagpipe Band.
|
| |
GRAPHICS
& MULTIMEDIA
|
|
|
| |
 |
 |
Kevin Kulesa, Graphics
The phrase "a bit accident prone " applies here. A connoisseur of natural healing medications and a critic when judging hospital waiting rooms, Kevin chose the right profession over Alaskan salmon fishing when he left college. As a graphic artist at least you can operate a mouse while in a sling.
Kevin first broke into video production in 1988. He was an Art Director for a Washington DC based company for 10 years before getting his masters and hitting the streets of New York City. Kevin worked for a variety of clients on a wide array of projects including tour videos for Warner Brothers' recording artist, Soul Coughing, retail packaging for Dosty, a new fashion line, video animation for the "Biography of the Millennium" on A&E, and the Sports Geniuses" for Fox News and Sports.
Before the E-crash, Kevin was a Senior Visual Design Director at Luminant Worldwide Inc., where he was able to operate on websites for clients such as MasterCard, Sony, DeBeers and Dupont. While in the city, he also taught Video Animation and Time-Based Media at Pratt University's Manhattan campus.
Kevin, his wife Alana, and son Niko now reside in Pittsburgh, and it was no accident that Kevin fell into a role at PMI where computer crashes usually
hurt less. He thinks working at PMI is cool, he only wishes they would offer him accident insurance.
Kevin enjoys skiing, climbing, rowing and the Friday night city ride with his friends where he makes sure to dump his mountain bike at least once.
|
| |
 |
|
Joe Dilascio, Multimedia Producer
Joseph grew up in the lovely green suburbs of Pittsburgh, and he moved into the city with a computer and a suitcase to attend school. After graduating from the Art Institute he worked for a handful of companies as their "Flash Guy," then settled into the corporate cubicle life at Matchpoint Marketing. There Joe spent his days making fun little applications for companies such as Clorox, Kingsford, The Oakland Raiders, Fresh Step, and SunnyD. Joe spends most of his free time at a keyboard -- his piano or his computer, looking for sweet new web stuff -- or just hanging on The Southside. He also recently purchased a spectacular new bowling ball. These days his working time is spent in Flash(AS3), Dreamweaver, and AfterEffects.
|
| |
 |
|
Ian Momyer, Multimedia Developer
A 2005 graduate of the Pittsburgh Technical Institute, Ian first came to PMI as a multimedia intern. We thought so much of him that we hired him full-time in tape operations servicing our Syndication business. Now he's back in multimedia doing what he went to school for and loves.
Ian has been coding web pages since he was in high school. As part of the PMI team he has broadened his skills to include 3D Studio MAX, Flash, Dreamweaver and Premiere, just to name a few. Happy doing anything from designing to developing, he's always ready for something new.
Also skilled in digital photography, Ian's work has been featured in numerous art shows throughout the area. In addition to his photography, Ian spends his spare time painting and stenciling whatever he can get his hands on.
|
| |
CREATIVE
SERVICES
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
Francisco Jose Muniain, Creative Director/Producer
Jose comes to PMI from Madrid, Spain where
he was co-founder and director of production for Ostra Delta, a
production company that specializes in the creation, design and
production of identities for television, commercials and trade shows.
Jose has produced work for Coca-Cola, Heineken, the opening titles
for the 1992 Olympic Games, RTL (German television), France 2 and
3 Television, Super Channel (England) among others. He was also
a producer at the start-up of the European Sport Channel EUROSPORT.
With PMI he has been designing and directing projects for Marconi,
Nortel Networks, Dollar Bank, Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne
Light, Highmark, PNC Bank and Sony Corporation. Jose has garnered
many local, national, and international awards for his work.
He's passionate about filmmaking, design and travel,
and enjoys the freedom to expand his creative concepts and deliver
them to a client's project.
Jose and his family spend each July in Spain, where
he finds his inspiration in his home-away-from-home.
|
| |
PRODUCTION |
|
|
| |
 |
|
Rich "Zoot" Dwyer, Director of Production/Director,
Cameraman
Originally from New York City, PMI's genius behind
the camera was named "Zoot" after winning a particularly intense
game of Scrabble with the word "zoot," as in "suit." While maintaining
that his position has nothing to do with a beret and megaphone,
Zoot is the driving force behind PMI's award-winning shoots.
An influential professor, a rewarding internship
at a cable company and a Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcasting
all conspired to channel Zoot into the production business. Before
coming to PMI in 1988, Zoot worked on a number of feature films,
served as a news assignment editor for an NBC affiliate, and was
an assistant director for Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood .
Zoot spends his free time with his family, driving
his 1963 Nova, and collecting vintage lamps and kitchen tables.
|
| |
 |
|
Matthew J. Fridg, Director/Director of Photography
Springing up out of the hometown of Jimmy Stewart, Indiana, PA, Matthew has had cinema in his blood since birth. Having directed many of his own productions, his latest short film, "Notes In The Valley", was included in the Pittsburgh 250 initiative: Pittsburgh Neighborhood Narratives.
A graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications Media, Matthew put himself through college as a field cameraman for news stations in both Altoona and Johnstown, PA. After school, he staked down his tent in Pittsburgh and quickly found success in freelance production. He worked on several Hollywood features as well as many commercials and more.
As a Director of Photography, Matthew aims to capture the highs and lows of the human experience with a naturalistic, cinematic eye. As a Director, he seeks to draw fresh, realistic performances from both professional and amateur talent.
Matthew is looking forward to showing his new bundle of joy everything about filmmaking!
|
| |
POST-PRODUCTION
|
 |
|
| |
 |
|
Don Sigmund, Post Production Supervisor
If variety is the spice of life, PMI has plenty
in our spicy Don Sigmund. Don loves the variety his position
as editor affords him, each day presenting new and interesting
projects, challenges and clients. Don has had over eight
years of editorial experience and special DS technical training
since he emerged from the advertising agency world.
Still clinging to his childhood rock star dream,
Don plays in his own band on weekends and can be found playing
air guitar in the corridors of PMI between edits.
|
| |

|
|
Chuck Aikman, Senior Video Editor
Chuck was raised in Maryland, attended Old Dominion University,
started his career in Norfolk, Virginia at an ABC affiliate, and landed in Pittsburgh
working for a local television station. He unashamedly admits his entrance into the business was a pure accident.
And how fortunate for the editorial world, for the past two decades, Chuck has excelled in storytelling,
delivering messages in a unique, compelling way. He recently edited the feature film "The Bridge To Nowhere"
directed by Blair Underwood and shot entirely in Pittsburgh.
While Chuck spends the majority of his time in a dark
editing suite, he tells us that during his off time he enjoys playing The Rugged Outdoorsman.
|
| |

|
 |
John Fischerkeller, Multi-Talented
Guy
When John was asked how long
he's been in the business, his reply was "Which business are
you referring to? Monkey? Risky? Funny?..."
His glib answer was not so far from the truth. Currently,
he is employed in the "Monkey" business end of our operations,
as an up-and-coming studio editor and Flame graphics developer
bringing adventuresome client visions to life through editorial
storytelling and motion graphics.
John also has serious chops in our "Risky and Funny"
divisions as well as having worked with PMI previously as a top-flight
director, cameraman and crew boss with dozens of studio and location
shoots under his belt. John distinguishes himself by taking the
extra steps necessary to get the job done right, and done well
with panache, flair, and just a touch of harmless insanity.
Along the way he's found a terrific woman, a new home, and is
the self-proclaimed servant and companion to a master named Shiloh˜a
little terrier mix with a huge personality.
|
| |

|
 |
Russ Luna , Editor
Born in Eagle Lake, Texas, Russ first gained interest in the video production business thanks to a Radio and Television Production class in high school. After graduation, Russ traveled the world while serving in the United States Marine Corps. At the conclusion of his service in 1994, and following a brief return to Texas, Russ found his way to Pennsylvania in 1995. Missing the creative expression of the video production world, Russ relocated to Pittsburgh in 1997 to attend the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. A mere month after graduating, Russ joined the PMI family as a tape room operator/satellite operator/syndication editor/mind-reader/jack-of-all-trades. Following the longest hazing stint in history, Russ was rewarded for his endurance by being moved to the post production department as an editor. Determined to live everyday like it is Halloween, Russ met his perfect bride, Paula Della, thanks to online personals. Married by Elvis in Las Vegas, these two enjoy scaring their neighbors and being parents to their furry children: Mina, Foxy Roxybeany, Diesel, Trey, Friday the 13th and Viva Las Vegas.
The couple is also looking forward to becoming parents to their first human child in 2009.
|
| |
AUDIO
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
Jack Bailey, Director
of Audio Services/Chief Sound Geek Like
most audio engineers, Jack Bailey originally got into the business
through his love of music. He began performing at the age of 13,
and by 15 he was working regularly as a professional. But Jack also
cultivated a love of language, leading him to major in English/Communications
at Allegheny College, and go on to teach English while he finished
his Master of Arts in Education in Cleveland. Two days after receiving
his M.A., Jack started his first job in a recording studio, where
he found he could feed both passions by recording, editing, producing
and directing both music and the spoken word.Having produced tracks
in Nashville, New York, Dallas, Chicago and San Francisco as well
as his native Pittsburgh, Jack's known as one of the foremost audio
director/music producer/soundtrack designers on our block.
|
| |
 |
 |
Shawn Jackson, Chief
Audio Engineer/Noise Stylist
Shawn has been in the sound business for almost 20 years. After abandoning his childhood dream of becoming a "Solid Gold" dancer he move on to wanting to be a musician (Rock Star), but after a broken arm Shawn found himself running the sound board for his friends bands. Combining his love of music and new found interest in electronics Shawn decided to explore the technical side of the entertainment industry by attending Full Sail School of the Recording Arts in Orlando FL. During his time at Full Sail Shawn interned at Century III at Universal Studios and found that Audio Post Production was his new passion. After graduating in 1995 Shawn moved back to his childhood home of Pittsburgh and began his adventure at PMI.
Shawn and his wife Kristy have a small petting zoo, including: 3 dogs, 2 birds, 2 rabbits, a guinea pig and 2 tarantulas, in their continuing to be remodeled home.
|
| |
SYNDICATION
|
|
|
| |
 |
 |
Bill Eckenrode, Director/Syndication
Services
Bill always wanted to be an airline pilot, but instead chose the far more intense career path of television syndication. A syndication veteran of 34 years, Bill has more than earned his wings. He ensures the PMI syndication department flies on course and on time. With his talented crew, Bill provides the necessary details and top-flight customer service the demanding syndication clients have come to expect.
Living with his wife Jean and an attack cat named Molly, Bill spends his free time trapshooting, target shooting, home remodeling and fishing. He gets his encouragement from his wife and family, who stand behind him (especially when he is shooting).
|
| |
|
|
|
|