Meet Our Team

CEO

Shawn Hanks

Association

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Shawn Hanks, CEO, adds capabilities from several fields to the Premiere Speakers Bureau team. Over the course of eighteen years in the event industry, he has gained valuable experience advising corporate, association and non-profit partners. In addition, he provides direction to speakers on the Premiere roster. Shawn is an avid football / basketball fan, and he and Heather survive CrossFit each day – together! They have enjoyed living in Southeast and Central Texas and, currently, Middle Tennessee. They are the proud parents of Mia (15), Ethan (13), Ella Kate (11), Ava (8) and Poppy (60 lb golden doodle that runs their home.)

Get to know Shawn

President

Brian Lord

Corporate

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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.

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Ryan Giffen

K-12 & University

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I was born and raised in Dallas, TX... enough said. Danica and I have THREE amazing sons: Will (11), Eli (7), and Jad (5). My best days will likely include wrestling with the boys, eating Chicago style pizza (or any pizza) and vigorously chopping onions while we watch "This Is Us"... An interesting fact about myself is that I have traveled to 27 countries and once lived in a thatched roof mud hut for 3 weeks... on purpose.

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Brian Elliott

Faith

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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.

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Carl Ware

Non-profit

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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.

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Jordan Smallwood

Political & New York

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Jordan comes to Premiere having previously worked in politics, public accounting, and business development. Jordan graduated cum laude from The University of Tennessee where he studied accounting and finance. Jordan sits on the Communications Committee for International Association of Speakers Bureaus. In his free time Jordan enjoys playing golf, finishing middle of the pack in local 5k's, and spending time exploring New York City with his wife.

Brandon Edmonson

Healthcare, Nashville & Chamber Of Commerce

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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.

Aaron Gray

State Associations & Church

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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 Columbia, 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.

Chelsea Johnson

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Chelsea comes to Premiere having served in various roles in the speaking industry over the last seven years. Prior to her time in the speaking industry, Chelsea worked for nonprofits Wine to Water and the American Cancer Society as an events coordinator and fundraiser. She is an avid traveler and sports fan, and a subpar runner and Peloton rider. Chelsea and her husband Chad live in East Nashville with their two dogs Hannah and Harold.

Event Guru

Lisa Borquez

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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. In her spare time, Lisa enjoys spending time with her husband and their kids, reading, playing board games, and traveling as often as she can.

Get to know Lisa

Event Guru

Heather Brett

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Heather comes to Premiere Speakers Bureau with over fifteen years in the event planning industry. She has worked for venues helping clients coordinate their event logistics as well as booking and executing events for Dave Ramsey. In her free time, Heather enjoys running, reading, playing with her dog and time in the great outdoors.

Chief Financial Officer

Sherry Olson

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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.

Accounts Manager

Jeanne Bergstrom

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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.

Office Manager

Lisa Gorman

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Lisa came to Premiere Speakers in June of 2015. She enjoys living the "help me to help you" mantra as office manager. In her free time she often spends time with her husband a three young adult kiddos when they are in town. She stays busy gardening, cooking, baking, as well as a few painting, illustrating, designing, and repurposing projects.

Chief Information Officer

Chris Yount

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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).

Director of Marketing

Travis Franklin

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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.

Software Applications Manager

Ryan Clark

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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.

Marketing Manager

Eric Woodie

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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.