Meet Our Team
We don't take anything for granted. We work hard day in and day out for event planners ― experienced and newcomers, domestic and international, from big companies and from small ones ― just like you. And we have a good time doing it.
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CEO
Shawn Hanks
(615) 261-4000 x1011 | EMAIL
Shawn Hanks serves as CEO of Premiere Speakers Bureau. He has two decade of experience in the bureau industry. His primary focuses are overseeing the Premiere team, providing direction to speakers and strengthening strategic relationships. Shawn is an avid sports fan, and he and Heather daily survive CrossFit - together! They also enjoy Nashville’s amazing restaurants and concerts. Native Texans, they have made Nashville, TN home for 20 years. And they are the proud parents of Mia (17), Ethan (16), Ella Kate (14), Ava (11) and Poppy (75 lb golden doodle that runs their home.)
Get to know Shawn -
Founder and Chairman of the Board
Duane Ward
(615) 261-4000 x1015 | EMAIL
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 five grandsons who have the full attention of their doting grandparents!
Get to know Duane -
Chief Information Officer
Chris Yount
(615) 261-4000 x1016 | EMAIL
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).
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CEO
Shawn Hanks
Association
(615) 261-4000 x1011 | EMAIL
Shawn Hanks serves as CEO of Premiere Speakers Bureau. He has two decade of experience in the bureau industry. His primary focuses are overseeing the Premiere team, providing direction to speakers and strengthening strategic relationships. Shawn is an avid sports fan, and he and Heather daily survive CrossFit - together! They also enjoy Nashville’s amazing restaurants and concerts. Native Texans, they have made Nashville, TN home for 20 years. And they are the proud parents of Mia (17), Ethan (16), Ella Kate (14), Ava (11) and Poppy (75 lb golden doodle that runs their home.)
Get to know Shawn -
President
Brian Lord
Corporate
(615) 261-4000 x1005 | EMAIL
Since January 2000, Brian has been with Premiere, currently as president, as well as hosting the Beyond Speaking Podcast (BeyondSpeak.com). He’s been interviewed by the BBC, Wall Street Journal and Huffington Post, and was chosen as one of Nashville’s 40 Under 40. He and his wife Krista live in Franklin with two tween daughters and newborn boy/girl twins. Brian coaches softball, competes in triathlons and works with several nonprofits. Brian has a political science degree from DePauw University.
Get to know Brian -
Brian Elliott
Faith
(615) 261-4000 x1010 | EMAIL
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.
Get to know Brian -
Carl Ware
Corporate and Event Planners
(615) 261-4000 x1045 | EMAIL
Carl began his time at Premiere in 2009 and enjoys growing his relationships with professional event planners and non-profit organizations to better assist them in finding the perfect speaker for their event. He married his childhood sweetheart and is the proud father of two young daughters. When outside the office, Carl can be found making things out of wood or growing veggies in his garden.
Get to know Carl -
Brandon Edmonson
Healthcare, Nashville & Chamber Of Commerce
(615) 261-4000 x1002 | EMAIL
Brandon joins Premiere with 6 years of experience as a Booking Agent in the music market. He specializes in finding clients the perfect speaker or talent for their event. Before he became an Agent, he was a Sales Director for a technology company. Brandon was born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas and lived there until 2000 when he moved to Nashville on a college soccer scholarship. He and his wife Becka reside in Franklin, TN with their three children Brooklyn, Gabriel, and Ethan. Brandon enjoys staying active by playing golf, soccer, basketball, running, and keeping up with three kids.
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Aaron Gray
State Associations & Church
(615) 261-4000 x1041 | EMAIL
Aaron joins Premiere after previously working in management, sales, and marketing. He was born in southern Indiana and moved to Nashville in 2009 (No, not to start a music career). He currently lives in middle TN with his wife (Hannah) and daughter (Millie), and in his free time dreams about that one time he hit a nice drive down the fairway and how he should be able to replicate that every time. Aaron’s #1 goal as an agent is to create relationships based on trust and transparency, followed by high quality experiences.
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Ana Daniel
Education
(615) 261-4000 x1018 | EMAIL
Ana Daniel, Director of Education Services, adds to Premiere Speakers Bureau over 9 years in the education space working directly with teachers and administrators in various capacities. Her classroom / education experience give Ana unique insight to client needs for speakers, training and education services. Ana was born and raised in the Nashville area and now lives in Franklin with her husband Kyle and German Shepherd Riggs. When outside of the office, she spends her time outdoors with Kyle and Riggs (hiking, kayaking, camping), enjoying time with her extended family (who are local!), reading and painting.
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Director of Advance
Heather Brett
(615) 261-4000 x1013 | EMAIL
Heather started in 2013 doing advance work for the speaking industry with over fifteen years experience in the event planning industry. She has worked for venues helping clients coordinate their event logistics as well as serving as the lead event planner for Dave Ramsey, booking and executing various events. In her free time, Heather enjoys running, reading, playing with her dogs and time in the great outdoors.
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Advance Agent
Becky Seal
(615) 261-4000 x1020 | EMAIL
Becky joined the Premiere team in July of 2016. When not on the job, she loves spending time with her family. She and her husband, Greg, have three wild kids, Bowden (11), Lincoln (9), and Aven (6). They love being outdoors, sports of any kind and traveling to new places.
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Accountant
Jeanne Bergstrom
(615) 261-4000 x1008 | EMAIL
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.
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Chief Information Officer
Chris Yount
(615) 261-4000 x1016 | EMAIL
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).
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Software Applications Manager
Ryan Clark
(615) 261-4000 x1234 | EMAIL
Ryan was born and raised in Franklin, Tennessee, and is proud to be a part of the Premiere team. He spends his free time reading, listening to and playing music, learning how to draw, and being married to his wonderful wife, Tiana.
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Marketing Manager
Eric Woodie
(615) 261-4000 | EMAIL
Eric hails from the land of crab cakes and football (Maryland for those who may not know) but made the move down to Nashville at the tender age of 17 to study marketing in the music business. He received his degree and decided to wait to use it once his band in a van life finally hit the wall, which go figure, it did. Eric then gathered experience working in social media and youth ministry leading up to his nuptials with Premiere Speakers Bureau in 2014. Now he finally gets to put that marketing degree to good use.
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