For more than 40 years, Tod Turner has repeatedly developed software that addresses the needs of a specific market, and that sells-in to that industry at an enterprise level. He has led companies that offer software solutions in a wide range of industries including entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, real estate and technology, among many others.

Tod started his entrepreneurial journey in the 1970s by founding STAT Systems, one of the first companies to offer automated medical and dental billing software as an alternative to manual, billing service bureaus. After selling that business, he founded a software company based in Mexico called Romy d’Vallarta, which created property management, construction, and front-desk software for the hospitality industry. That company sold three years later; then Tod focused on software for the commercial real business, to track commissions and inventory; some of that software is still in use today.

Tod’s next venture was Fox Industries, a software development firm specializing in niche software for a variety of industries. During its 20-year run, Fox spun off several companies that offered huge promise within their niches. For example, Norfox Software, which focused on the equipment calibration industry, sold in to many global accounts including the United States Army, Navy and Marines Corps, as well as many defense contractors. With sales of up to $11 million annually, the company sold in 1999.

Mr. Turner then saw a need for collaborative online workspaces and founded LINQware. Before Skype or other web conferencing software we know today, LINQware developed 11 patents around telephony and collaboration. Those technologies are now used by Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Skype, Facebook, WhatsApp, and more than 80 other companies.

Prior to creating Intercept Music, he founded and is chief executive officer of LiveChime, a software-as-a-service company that enables real-time communication for online sales across any platform or device. Under his guidance, LiveChime developed several patents around interactive chat, which ultimately led to the development of the Intercept Marketing platform, which is the basis for the marketing platform used in Intercept Music.

In 2017, Tod saw that the Intercept Marketing platform could be custom-tailored to directly address the needs of more than 12 million global independent musicians who are competing for attention in a crowded music marketplace. Now Tod is leading the way to ensure that that vision, combined with insights of experts in the music industry and contemporary artists, delivers Intercept Music to its full potential.

James Barry, software developer and co-founder, is a team leader who maintains the end-to-end integrity of the Intercept Music software suite. He has more than two decades of experience as a programmer, software engineer and programming manager who has worked on expertly crafted, scalable software that has served and successfully sold to enterprise customers.

Most recently, he has served as applications programming manager for International Telcom, Ltd. in Seattle, leading a team of developers, testers and database administrators. Earlier, was senior software engineer for LiveChime, a company holding several patents for real-time communications, and which powers Intercept Marketing software, on which Intercept Music is based. Prior to that, he worked as a senior software engineer for LINQware, a company holding 11 patents around telephony and collaboration. Those technologies are now used by Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Skype, Facebook, WhatsApp, and more than 80 other companies. For nearly a decade prior, he was a software engineer for Fox Industries, a developer of specialized software for a variety of critical applications whose enterprise customers included the United States Army, Navy and Marines.

Jim Urie lends to Intercept Music both credibility and substantive know-how, as a universally recognized leader in the field of music distribution. Since beginning his career in music distribution more than four decades ago, Jim’s vision has been instrumental in shaping the direction of the industry through several periods of profound change.

For more than 15 years, Jim was a key executive for Universal Music Group Distribution, successfully leading the company through the transition from CDs sales to digital distribution models. During his tenure, Universal Music cemented its position as the world’s number-one record company, with more than 30% of all album sales in the U.S. alone and billions of dollars of revenue. Significantly, his direction at UMGD spearheaded the industry’s approach to preserving sales and profitability for both physical and digital music.

Jim was named a power innovator by Billboard Magazine, sharing the recognition with such legends as Steve Jobs of Apple and Jimmy Iovine of Interscope. Under his leadership, Universal Music Group Distribution also was named the top distributor in 2001, 2002 and 2008.

Jim began his career in 1972 as a college rep for CBS Records, later moving to CBS Records distribution. He then joined PolyGram as senior vice president of sales and distribution, two years later becoming svp of marketing. He also served as svp of sales for Arista Records before joining UMGD.

In his career spanning four decades, broadcaster Dave Sholin has cemented a place as one of the most innovative and award-winning on-air hosts and producers in the country. Starting out as a program director and on-air host, he has also served as a music director and promoter on the recorded music side, bringing his passion, depth of experience and musical knowledge to projects with some of the biggest artists in the world.

Sholin received his first Program Director of the Year award while he was a student and PD of San Francisco State University’s campus radio station. Shortly after graduation he began his professional career at KLIV/San Jose. Sholin helped develop a new format, and within six months it became one of Silicon Valley’s highest rated stations. He then joined station KFRC in San Francisco, winning the award for Major Market Music Director of the Year at the Gavin Report Convention in Kansas City. Under Dave's leadership, KFRC won Billboard’s Major Market Station of the Year award seven years in a row.

Following his success at KFRC, RKO Radio promoted Dave to National Music Director, overseeing the playlists and music libraries for stations around the country. Dave also produced a string of radio specials and conducted interviews with Rod Stewart, Bob Seger, Paul Simon, The Doobie Brothers and Paul McCartney. He oversaw production of the in-depth Beatles documentary "From Liverpool To Legend."

On December 8th, 1980, Dave and his production team spent the afternoon with John Lennon and Yoko Ono at their apartment in New York City. It was the first radio interview Lennon had granted in five years. Five hours later, the famous Beatle was tragically shot and killed.

Sholin returned to San Francisco to join The Gavin Report and later revamped it into the Gavin magazine. In addition to serving as on-air personality and program director of KFRC, he also hosted weekly syndicated radio shows including “Countdown USA” for Westwood One and "The Insider" for Premiere Radio.

In his next role, Dave became Vice President of Promotion for Island Records and later served the same role at Capitol Records. When CBS Radio decided to relaunch San Francisco’s KFRC, Dave was the first person they contacted; he became the station’s morning drive radio host.

Today, Dave is a regular guest on KGO San Francisco on the Ronn Owens’ show. In 1995 Sholin was named a charter member of the radio section at the Rock ‘N Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland. He was the Rockwell Award recipient at the Conclave, a national radio and record convention. In October 2008 Dave was inducted into The Bay Area Radio Hall Of Fame.

C. Casper Casparian is an experienced marketing-communications leader with a diverse background across several industries, both in-house and on the agency side. He began his career working with Fortune 500 companies including Dole Food Company (fresh and packaged foods), Activision (videogame entertainment), EMI Music (then the world’s third-largest music company) and Mattel, Inc. (the world’s largest toy company). In those roles, he developed corporate communications, both internal and external, as well as product-focused marketing communications pieces.

After leaving corporate roles, he worked for a boutique marketing-communications agency as vice president of client strategy focused on healthcare, technology and nonprofits. While at the agency, he had responsibility for building new and existing client relationships, managing creative development and optimizing agency operations and processes. Five years later, he established his own marketing-communications firm, CMC LLC, a California corporation that serves a range of clients with media relations, media buying, and online and offline creative development services. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and a J.D. from University of Southern California.

Howard Rosen began his career in 1970 at Bell Records and Elektra where he got his feet wet with The Partridge Family, Barry Manilow, Mountain, The Doors, Carly Simon, and Harry Chapin. From there he became Senior VP of Promotion at famed Casablanca Records where he broke such acts as Donna Summer, KISS, The Village People, and Parliament.

In 1980, Howie became president of Bearsville Records and was instrumental in the careers of Todd Rundgren, Utopia, and Foghat. After Bearsville, Howie became Senior VP of Promotion at Warner/Reprise working with many artists who are still relevant today including Prince, Van Halen, Fleetwood Mac, Madonna, Rod Stewart, The Doobie Brothers, and Frank Sinatra.

In 1984, he was recruited by Motown Records and made VP of Promotion and Marketing where he worked with Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, and The Temptations. This was followed by some time at A&M where he was Director of Special Projects.

In 1985, Howie decided it was time to start his own companies: Howard Rosen Promotion, Inc. and Take Out Management. Here, Howie has transmuted his decades of label experience into a thriving full-service Independent Radio Promotion Company that is still going strong more than 20 years later.

Bob Frank is a veteran in the music and entertainment industries, with more than twenty years of experience in executive roles. He is currently the founder of Bob Frank Entertainment (BFE), a multi-faceted company engaged in film and television production, record label and distribution, music publishing, and management consulting for clients, such as BMG. Prior to Founding BFE, Bob co-founded Qello, where he served as Chairman and Chief Content Officer, handling all content acquisition, content management, and rights management.

Bob served as President of E1 Music Worldwide (formerly KOCH Records) and E1 Music Publishing (formerly KOCH Music Publishing), the content divisions of North America's largest independent music company. Under his leadership, E1 Music placed over 200 albums on the Billboard Independent Chart, far outpacing the competition and maintaining the #1 Billboard ranking for that period. Before E1, Bob was President of Walter Yetnikoff's Velvel Music Group, and General Manager/SVP at PolyGram, primarily at Mercury Records in Nashville.

Bob serves on a host of music-related charity organizations, including The Merlin Organization, a global rights organization representing the Independent music sector, the TJ Martell Foundation for cancer research, the annual Martell Family Day, and the UJA Federation Music for Youth Board, which funds music programs and scholarships for underprivileged children in New York City and surrounding areas.

Makeda Smith is the founder and driving force behind Jazzmyne Public Relations, a boutique agency that has been shaping the world of entertainment publicity for over 30 years. Known for her personalized approach and commitment to excellence, Makeda has provided expert publicity, management, and consulting services to a diverse range of clients, including A-list celebrities, athletes, authors, filmmakers, music producers, rappers, special events, and businesses. Her reputation for delivering results with a caring ear and a kind heart has solidified her standing as a respected figure in the industry.

Since launching Jazzmyne Public Relations in 1988, Makeda has built a client base that rivals larger firms, serving notable names like Kevin Eubanks, Jamie Foxx, Nick Van Exel, Mo'Nique, Dorien Wilson, and J. Anthony Brown, among others. Her agency, named after her eldest daughter, began as a home-based operation—a concept ahead of its time—and has flourished despite the initial doubts of critics.

Makeda's journey is both inspiring and remarkable. Starting her career as Associate Director of West Coast Publicity at Hervey & Company, she took a bold leap to establish her own firm with no financial backing and just one press release. Over the years, she has become an expert in urban entertainment publicity, demonstrating resilience and vision as a Black, single mother of two. Beyond her professional achievements, Makeda is deeply moved by the impact she has had on others, especially women who draw inspiration from her success story. She emphasizes the importance of carrying oneself with grace and integrity, believing that these values guide everything into place.

Specializing in publicity, branding, consulting, and management, Jazzmyne Public Relations continues to thrive under Makeda's leadership.

Brad Mason LeBeau is a trailblazer in the dance and pop music industry, celebrating over four decades of shaping modern club culture through his company, PRO MOTION - The Brad LeBeau Company, Inc. Founded in 1983, PRO MOTION is the oldest and largest independent dance music marketing firm in the world. From its inception, the company has been pivotal in curating remixes and elevating artists to global recognition, helping shape the careers of both rising stars and iconic performers. Based in New York and Los Angeles, PRO MOTION has remained at the forefront of an ever-evolving industry, adapting seamlessly from vinyl and cassettes to the digital streaming era.

LeBeau's journey began with his love for R&B music. Growing up in Manhattan during the 1960s and 1970s, he was captivated by groups like The O’Jays, The Spinners, and The Jackson 5, often choosing Soul Train over American Bandstand. This early passion for music and dance set the stage for his career. While attending Brandeis University in 1976, LeBeau started DJing in clubs to earn extra income. After graduating, he returned to New York, spinning records at the famed Xenon nightclub, Studio 54’s biggest competitor. It was during this time that major record labels began seeking his input, recognizing his influence in the burgeoning dance music scene.

At just 26 years old, LeBeau founded PRO MOTION on July 5, 1983, honoring his father’s encouragement to follow his dream. Driven by the belief that great music transcends borders, PRO MOTION introduced American audiences to international dance tracks long before DJs became global superstars. Over the years, LeBeau and his team have worked with an unparalleled roster of artists, from legendary icons like Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, and Bob Marley to contemporary giants such as Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Calvin Harris. His work with Diana Ross, overseeing the remix of four classic tracks that achieved #1 status twice, remains a proud highlight of his career.

Under LeBeau's leadership, PRO MOTION continues to thrive as a leader in remix curation and dance/pop marketing, bridging the gap between music creators and audiences worldwide. With a keen instinct for spotting trends and a relentless commitment to excellence, LeBeau has left an indelible mark on the music industry, ensuring that the rhythms of dance and pop continue to resonate across generations.