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.

Evie DeSarno, 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.

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.

Bryan Froud, Multimedia Producer

Bryan joined PMI’s digital design team with over a decade of experience in the media arts industry. A hybrid left-handed worker, Bryan spends his time bouncing between the artistic and the technical, and is at ease working in multiple digital disciplines.

Bryan's continued pursuit of all things “geek” coupled with a diverse range of life experiences make him a unique asset during all facets of the production process. Bryan's speed of execution, coupled with attention to service and detail have endeared him to clients and associates across the globe.

When not mouse-jockeying, Bryan takes his emotions out on his 12-string guitar at Open Mic Nights in taverns across the greater Pittsburgh area. He always keeps a guitar nearby and will play at the drop of a hat with only minimal arm twisting.

Bryan has never been fond of yodeling.

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.

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 Fridg, Studio Manager

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, including his well received short film “No More Sunday”, Matthew joined the production team at PMI in February 2008.

A graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications Media, Matthew has worked on several commercials, documentaries and feature films and served as a field cameraman for news stations in both Altoona and Johnstown, PA. His keen awareness and appreciation for realism in cinema drives his love of creating and depicting compelling projects. Stories that embody accessible characters and a visual style that celebrates and highlights the beautiful world we live in.

Matthew spends his free time hanging with his wife, volunteering at his church and keeping his filmmaking skills sharp.

Don Sigmund, Senior Video Editor

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 entrée 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.

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 Jackson, aka Neonbuzz, brings a certain zest to the PMI Audio department. Shawn has been in the sound business for fifteen years, finally abandoning his boyhood dream of becoming a “Solid Gold” dancer. He began by doing live sound for bands, but when he went off to the Recording Workshop in Ohio, the major lesson Shawn learned was that he needed to learn more in order to become the technically savvy engineer he is today. So he enrolled in the highly regarded Full Sail School of Recording Arts in Orlando FL, and, upon graduating, interned at Universal Studios until he returned to Pittsburgh and began dancing to the PMI tune.  

Shawn lives with a Tarantula named Spot and can choreograph a round of golf like no one else.

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 and an attack cat named Molly, Bill spends his free time woodworking, home remodeling and fishing. Encouragement for him comes from reading self-help books and his friends.