James Barry is the Chief Technologist and Co-Founder of Intercept Music, where he architects and oversees the technology powering the company’s global music distribution, marketing, analytics, and royalty-processing platform. He leads the end-to-end engineering strategy that keeps Intercept’s systems fast, scalable, and aligned with the needs of today’s digital music ecosystem.

With more than two decades of experience building large-scale, cloud-based platforms, James specializes in designing high-performance systems for music delivery, metadata management, creator tools, financial reporting, and real-time analytics. At Intercept, he guides the architecture and evolution of the company’s distribution engine, royalty-processing pipelines, artist dashboards, and advanced AI-driven quality assurance and compliance frameworks.

Earlier in his career, James held senior engineering roles at companies developing patented real-time communications and telephony technologies—innovations that later became foundational to modern streaming, messaging, and global digital content delivery. The technologies he helped build now underpin products used by Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Meta, Apple (via Skype and WhatsApp), and dozens of other major tech platforms.

James remains dedicated to advancing music technology that empowers independent creators. His focus on simplicity, automation, and transparency enables artists and labels to navigate distribution, understand performance, and grow their careers in an increasingly competitive digital music landscape.

Miguel Palmero is a Grammy® Award–winning producer and music executive with more than twenty-one years of experience spanning music production, film, and digital music distribution. As Head of Distribution at Intercept Music Inc., Miguel oversees global DSP distribution, operational strategy, and quality control—ensuring efficient execution, platform compliance, and sustainable long-term growth for independent artists and labels.

Based in Miami, Miguel has played a foundational role in shaping the organization’s distribution infrastructure and operational philosophy, bringing a creator-first mindset informed by decades of hands-on industry experience.

Miguel holds a degree in Advertising and Recording Arts from Full Sail University and has collaborated with internationally recognized artists including Dua Lipa, Alina Baraz, and Daddy Yankee. His career bridges creative excellence and technical expertise, giving him a deep understanding of the production process alongside the demands of modern digital distribution.

In addition to his executive leadership, Miguel remains actively engaged as a producer and mixing engineer, continuing to work on new projects and releases. His combined experience as a creator, entrepreneur, and distribution leader positions him as a key force in advancing Intercept Music’s mission to empower independent artists with reliable, transparent, and globally effective distribution solutions.

J.C. Montes is a seasoned music executive with more than twenty years of experience driving commercial strategy, marketing, and digital innovation across Mexico, Latin America, and the U.S. Latin markets. As EVP, Global Marketing & Strategic Partnerships at Intercept Music, he leads global marketing initiatives, strengthens high-impact industry partnerships, and develops strategies that connect artists, audiences, and platforms.

Before joining Intercept Music, J.C. founded About Music, a boutique agency specializing in digital strategy, audience development, and commercial growth for artists including Diego Verdaguer, Amanda Miguel, Brray, and C-Kan. He also co-founded WKMX Records, overseeing label operations, DSP partnerships, and artist development, including the breakout success of Los Esquivel.

J.C. previously held senior roles at Amuse, Spotify, Millicom (Tigo Music), and Universal Music Group, where he led regional expansion, launched landmark digital initiatives, managed major commercial partnerships, and delivered consistent revenue and audience growth. His work includes driving Spotify’s first Latin brand initiatives, launching Latin America’s first bundled music service with Deezer, and leading digital strategy for top Latin artists across global markets.

With deep expertise in commercial strategy, partnerships, and digital transformation, J.C. brings a powerful combination of creativity and operational leadership to Intercept Music’s mission of empowering independent artists worldwide.

Jesse Flores is a veteran music industry executive with more than twenty years of experience building high-impact partnerships between artists, labels, and global music platforms. As Vice President of Artist & Label Partnerships at Intercept Music, Jesse leads the company’s strategic relationships with independent labels and marquee talent, driving growth opportunities and shaping innovative pathways for artist development and distribution.

Before joining Intercept Music, Jesse served as Senior Director of Label & Business Development at Virgin Music Group and Ingrooves, where he managed relationships with leading artists and independent labels, working closely with Stephen Marley, Slum Village, Royce Da 5'9", DJ Premier/Gang Starr, Carla Morrison, Dax, and others. His ability to identify emerging talent and cultivate long-term partnerships positioned him as a trusted leader across the indie and hip-hop communities.

Jesse previously served as Vice President of Business Development at Lyric Financial, expanding financial solutions for artists and rights holders through key industry alliances. Earlier in his career, he held influential roles at EMI/Capitol Music Group, generating more than $20 million in new business through partnerships with Tyrese, Ice Cube, Raekwon, Trina, E-40, and additional chart-topping acts. His foundational experience at Universal Music Group and PolyGram Distribution further strengthened his expertise in artist development, commercial marketing, and sales strategy.

A graduate of the University of Florida with a B.S. in Business Administration, Jesse brings deep industry knowledge, relationship-driven leadership, and a passion for empowering artists at every stage of their careers. His strategic vision continues to shape Intercept Music’s mission to elevate independent creators worldwide.

Danielle Giles is a dynamic leader and creative strategist dedicated to elevating independent artists in an increasingly competitive music landscape. As Head of Artist Success & Strategy at Intercept Music, she guides the company’s artist-facing vision — shaping growth strategies, overseeing client-success teams, and designing innovative service offerings that empower creators and labels to thrive.

With a career spanning Amazon Music and Virgin Music Group under the Universal Music Group umbrella, Danielle has managed global partnerships, developed high-impact release strategies, and collaborated with major platforms including Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, SiriusXM, Peloton, and Apple Fitness+. Her strategic work has supported GRAMMY-winning releases, Billboard-charting campaigns, and bespoke promotional content for artists across genres.

Known for her ability to blend data insights with creative thinking, Danielle is a connector, advisor, and artist advocate who builds strong relationships while driving organizational vision. Independent artist empowerment is at the center of her work, and she continues to champion tools, education, and strategies that help artists navigate—and succeed in—a rapidly evolving industry.

Danielle is a professional member of the Recording Academy’s PNW Chapter and Women in Music Seattle.

As a globally recognized leader in music distribution, Jim Urie brings credibility and deep industry expertise to Intercept Music. Since beginning his career in music distribution more than four decades ago, Jim’s vision has played an instrumental role in shaping 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 CD 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 serving as a student program director at San Francisco State University’s campus radio station. Shortly after graduating, he began his professional career at KLIV in San Jose. There, he helped develop a new format that, within six months, made KLIV one of Silicon Valley’s highest-rated stations. He later joined KFRC in San Francisco and won the Major Market Music Director of the Year award at the Gavin Report Convention in Kansas City. Under Dave Sholin’s leadership, KFRC earned Billboard’s Major Market Station of the Year award seven consecutive years.

Following his success at KFRC, RKO Radio promoted Dave to National Music Director, overseeing 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 as 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.

Bob Frank is a veteran of the music and entertainment industries, with more than twenty years of experience in executive roles. He is the founder of Bob Frank Entertainment (BFE), a multifaceted company engaged in film and television production, record-label operations and distribution, music publishing, and management consulting for clients such as BMG. Before founding BFE, Bob co-founded Qello, where he served as Chairman and Chief Content Officer, overseeing 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.