07/08/2026
I was asked today what it means to produce an event like Monticello July 4th 250th Celebration. So allow me to take a turn on the soapbox for a second.
From the outside, it’s a live A/V production for 3,000 people in attendance and many more online.
From the inside, it’s months of planning, hundreds of moving pieces, and countless decisions happening in real time.
It means coordinating with Events, Marketing and Communications, and IT staff, as well as third-party A/V vendors; working alongside national news organizations like ABC and C-SPAN ; selecting and leading teams of photographers, videographers, editors, and production staff; delivering a media press kit to nearly 700 outlets within hours of the ceremony; overseeing a livestream for an audience of nearly 20,000 subscribers; and producing the event live—calling camera shots, graphics, audio cues, lighting changes, and transitions as everything unfolds.
But that’s not what I’m most proud of.
Productions like these aren’t successful because one person has all the answers. They’re successful because talented people are trusted to use the skills and experience they bring to the table.
My goal is to always been to work alongside great people, give them the freedom to do what they do best, and step in only when leadership is needed—not to control, but to clear the path for success.
Was everything perfect? Of course not.
But when the day was over, people walked away proud of what we accomplished together instead of discouraged by what wasn’t.
That’s the kind of producer, director, and creator I strive to be.
Leadership isn’t about having the loudest voice in the room. It’s about creating an environment where people feel trusted, empowered, and confident enough to do their best work.
When difficult decisions have to be made, their impact should strengthen as many people as possible—not benefit a select few while leaving others behind. The strongest leaders create opportunities for collective success, ensuring that everyone has the chance to grow, contribute, and thrive.
The production may only last a few hours.
The culture you build lasts much longer.
