MEET THE STAFF
The people that help define Premiere's excellence.

We at Premiere Speakers pride ourselves on our hard work to make booking speakers a breeze for you, but that doesn't mean we don't like to have a little fun along the way.

Click on a profile below to learn more about the different personalities behind Premiere. We have offered up ten fun and insightful facts about each member of our crew. You will also find one lie buried in the list. If you are curious as to which fact is a lie, or if you believe you know which it is and want to double check, email them to find out the truth.


Duane Ward

Duane Ward

Founder and CEO

(615) 261-4000 x1015 |

Duane Ward, founder of Premiere Speakers Bureau comes to this profession from many years in public relations and marketing. Raised in Florida, schooled in Missouri, and holding positions in Michigan, Texas, and Virginia before moving to Nashville to begin Premiere, Duane loves the challenge of building a loyal client base for the bureau. "Great Speakers and Customer Service are the keys," he says of the future of Premiere and the industry. Duane and Kathy have two children and four grandsons who have the full attention of their doting grandparents!

Click here to catch Duane in a lie...

Shawn Hanks

Shawn Hanks

President

(615) 261-4000 x1011 |

Shawn Hanks adds experience in multiple fields to Premiere Speakers. Over the course of twelve years, he has gained valuable experience assisting associations, benefit events and faith-based organizations. Shawn is an avid football and basketball fan. He is a frequent reader and a musician. One of his passions is orphan care - primarily in Ethiopia. He serves on the board of Project 61 (p61.org,) and he and Heather often travel to Ethiopia to assist the organization. He currently serves as chair of the International Association of Speakers Bureaus' (IASB) Technology Committee. As native Texans, Shawn and Heather have enjoyed living in Southeast and Central Texas and, currently, Middle Tennessee. They are the proud parents of Mia (9), Ethan (8), Ella Kate (5) and Ava (3.)

Click here to catch Shawn in a lie...

Sherry Olson

Sherry Olson

Chief Financial Officer

(615) 261-4000 x1014 |

Sherry came to Premiere Speakers in 2004 after working for 16 years in the entertainment industry. Originally from Michigan, Sherry has also lived in Boston, Massachusetts, and Los Angeles, California. She now oversees all accounting functions for Premiere. Sherry and her husband, Steve, live in Franklin, Tennessee. They have two sons, Eric and Craig.

Click here to catch Sherry in a lie...

Chris Yount

Chris Yount

Chief Information Officer

(615) 261-4000 x1016 |

Chris was born on the East Coast of the US, traveled extensively, saved a puppy from a runaway train and then (the only obvious follow up to saving a puppy) joined the Premiere family as a designer and developer. Chris runs the Creative and IT/Development departments, and spends his free time searching for new adventures with his wife Chrystal (and yes, they are well aware of how confusing it is being Chris and Chrys Yount).

Click here to catch Chris in a lie...

Shawn Hanks

Shawn Hanks

President / Associational & Political Events

(615) 261-4000 x1011 |
Watch an Introductory Video

Shawn Hanks adds experience in multiple fields to Premiere Speakers. Over the course of twelve years, he has gained valuable experience assisting associations, benefit events and faith-based organizations. Shawn is an avid football and basketball fan. He is a frequent reader and a musician. One of his passions is orphan care - primarily in Ethiopia. He serves on the board of Project 61 (p61.org,) and he and Heather often travel to Ethiopia to assist the organization. He currently serves as chair of the International Association of Speakers Bureaus' (IASB) Technology Committee. As native Texans, Shawn and Heather have enjoyed living in Southeast and Central Texas and, currently, Middle Tennessee. They are the proud parents of Mia (9), Ethan (8), Ella Kate (5) and Ava (3.)

Click here to catch Shawn in a lie...

Brian Lord

Brian Lord

Corporate Events

(615) 261-4000 x1005 |
Watch an Introductory Video

Since January, 2000, Brian has served as Senior Vice President. Prior to Premiere, Brian was with the William Morris Agency as well as his own agency. He has been interviewed on the BBC, been quoted in the Wall Street Journal and multiple industry publications, and has presented at the National Speakers Association Annual Conference. Brian has been a member of both the Technology Committee (07-09) and Continuing Education Committee (06-07) for the International Association of Speakers Bureaus. He married his wife Krista in April, 2001, and they have enjoyed establishing their home in Franklin, Tennessee with their two daughters Brooklyn and Sydney. In his free time, Brian competes in triathlons and marathons, and enjoys art, reading and history quite a bit, too. Brian graduated with a degree in political science from DePauw University. www.twitter.com/premierebrian

Click here to catch Brian in a lie...

Michael Smallbone

Michael Smallbone

Meeting Planners & International Events

(615) 261-4000 x1030 |
Watch an Introductory Video

Michael has been with Premiere for seven years, and has in that time developed a specialized knowledge of speakers in the areas of Healthcare & International Business. He additionally works with third party event planners, and assists them in creating speaker proposals for their variety clients.

Click here to catch Michael in a lie...

Ryan Giffen

Ryan Giffen

K-12 & University Events

(615) 261-4000 x1018 |
Watch an Introductory Video

I was born and raised in Dallas, TX... enough said. Danica and I have two amazing sons: Will (5), Eli (1) and another healthy boy on the way. My best days will likely include wrestling with the boys, eating Chicago style pizza (or any pizza) and enjoying some good ESPN highlights. An interesting fact about myself is that I have traveled to 23 countries and once lived in a thatched roof mud hut for 3 weeks... on purpose.

Click here to catch Ryan in a lie...

Brian Elliott

Brian Elliott

Faith, Government & Chamber of Commerce Events

(615) 261-4000 x1010 |
Watch an Introductory Video

Brian comes to Premiere Speakers Bureau after spending twelve years in the entertainment industry in Nashville. His experience as an event planner for a major music industry trade association as well as a booking agent for national touring artists & bands, gives him a unique ability to relate with clients, having been on both sides of the booking process. In his free time, Brian enjoys spending time with family and is highly involved in mentoring in his local community. He is a novice triathlete and enjoys water sports. Originally from the Tampa Bay area of Florida, Brian has lived in Nashville since 2000 where he met & married his wife Gwen in 2002. They have one daughter (Taylor) and two sons (Micah & Garrett) and make their home in Franklin, Tennessee.

Click here to catch Brian in a lie...

Carl Ware

Carl Ware

Non-profit Events

(615) 261-4000 x1045 |
Watch an Introductory Video

Carl first started at Premiere in the Advance Department with the responsibility of handling speakers’ travel and event logistics. A couple of years and hundreds of successful events later, he has assumed the role of Agent in which he helps real estate groups, non-profit organizations and food industry companies find the ideal speaker for their events.

Click here to catch Carl in a lie...

Lisa Borquez

Lisa Borquez

(615) 261-4000 x1007 |
Watch an Introductory Video

As an Event Guru, Lisa works with both clients and speakers in handling the details and logistics of their events, helping to ensure that each event booked will be a success for everyone involved. Lisa recently got married on January 26, 2013. In her spare time, Lisa enjoys spending time with her husband and kids, reading, playing board games, running, and traveling as much as she can.

Click here to catch Lisa in a lie...

Ken Fitzpatrick

Ken Fitzpatrick

(615) 261-4000 x1035 |

Ken came to Premiere with six years of experience in the transportation industry. After graduating college, Ken began his own company providing ground transportation to schools, churches and nonprofit organizations. Ken now handles the transportation for book tours and speaking engagements that require considerable ground transport. A native of Columbus, Ohio, Ken now lives in Nashville and enjoys biking, traveling and reading.

Click here to catch Ken in a lie...

Josh Smallbone

Josh Smallbone

(615) 261-4000 x1040 |

Josh has been traveling for many years domestically and internationally. His traveling experience helps Premiere Speakers when planning logistics for speakers. Josh's expertise in book publishing also assists in making books a part of most speakers events.

Click here to catch Josh in a lie...

Sherry Olson

Sherry Olson

Chief Financial Officer

(615) 261-4000 x1014 |

Sherry came to Premiere Speakers in 2004 after working for 16 years in the entertainment industry. Originally from Michigan, Sherry has also lived in Boston, Massachusetts, and Los Angeles, California. She now oversees all accounting functions for Premiere. Sherry and her husband, Steve, live in Franklin, Tennessee. They have two sons, Eric and Craig.

Click here to catch Sherry in a lie...

Jeanne Bergstrom

Jeanne Bergstrom

(615) 261-4000 x1008 |

Jeanne came to Premiere Speakers in August of 2005. She brings several years of accounting experience in the convention, exhibit & health care industry with her. She loves outdoor activities,traveling and being with family & friends. She is a Nashville native and now lives in Franklin.

Click here to catch Jeanne in a lie...

Heather Rawdon

Heather Rawdon

(615) 261-4000 x1006 |

Heather has been praised by many top CEOs, Presidents of Universities, and industry leading meeting planners around the world for her dedication toward making sure each event is a success and every expectation of both speaker and client are accurately communicated to every party involved.

Click here to catch Heather in a lie...

Jennifer Lain

Jennifer Lain

(615) 261-4000 x1000 |

I was born in Texas and lived in Houston for over 19 years. I have been married for 26 years with 2 college aged kids. I am a certified teacher and taught in Texas and Tennessee before moving career paths to Premiere Speakers Bureau. In my free time I love to play piano, read, cook, and spend time with my family.

Click here to catch Jennifer in a lie...

John Mouka

John Mouka

(615) 261-4000 x2009 |

Click here to catch John in a lie...

Josh Smallbone

Josh Smallbone

(615) 261-4000 x1040 |

Josh has been traveling for many years domestically and internationally. His traveling experience helps Premiere Speakers when planning logistics for speakers. Josh's expertise in book publishing also assists in making books a part of most speakers events.

Click here to catch Josh in a lie...

Chris Yount

Chris Yount

Chief Information Officer

(615) 261-4000 x1016 |

Chris was born on the East Coast of the US, traveled extensively, saved a puppy from a runaway train and then (the only obvious follow up to saving a puppy) joined the Premiere family as a designer and developer. Chris runs the Creative and IT/Development departments, and spends his free time searching for new adventures with his wife Chrystal (and yes, they are well aware of how confusing it is being Chris and Chrys Yount).

Click here to catch Chris in a lie...

Anthony Lassiter

Anthony Lassiter

Information Technology

(615) 261-4000 x1023 |

Anthony was born in Ft. Worth, TX. Raised in many places around the world and the United States, he landed in Nashville, TN many years ago to attend Belmont University. He has a degree in Marketing and Music Business. Currently, he spends his time writing web site code. He loves the art of film and would love to spend more of his free time creatively involved in the movie making process.

Click here to catch Anthony in a lie...

Alex Kranzusch

Alex Kranzusch

Marketing & Web Content

(615) 261-4000 x1020 |

Alex was born and raised in Montgomery, AL. He went on to study Graphic Design at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Alex is a sucker for nostalgia and is used to people mispronouncing his last name. Alex joined the Premiere team in late 2011.

Click here to catch Alex in a lie...

Frank Fuston

Frank Fuston

Information Technology

(615) 261-4000 x1012 |

Frank is proud to call himself a "true" Nashvillian, being born and raised within a few miles of the capital. In early education and high school Frank was torn between studying all of his favorite subjects and it wasn't until later that he realized that what he was passionate about was learning in general. A passion that has helped him find his way to and get plugged in with the Premiere family.

Click here to catch Frank in a lie...

Travis Franklin

Travis Franklin

Marketing & Web Content

(615) 261-4000 x1024 |

Travis was born and raised in Nashville, TN, and briefly sojourned to Chattanooga where he studied Advertising and Communication at Lee University. Travis' parents were missionaries traveling and speaking in all 50 states and over 35 foreign countries, so it only makes sense that he joined Premiere Speakers Bureau with its many national and international connections.

Click here to catch Travis in a lie...