Steve Grein

Title:
President / Executive Producer

Hometown:
Tinley Park, IL

If you weren’t in Production?
I would be in some sort of marketing or sales position, but either way I wouldn’t be happy because I have the most perfect job in the world.

What do you like most about your job?
The fact that it’s never the same; Traveling the country and sometimes the world; and having the outlet to be creative whether it’s producing, writing, shooting or editing.

If they made a movie of your life, who would you want to play you?
Tommy Boy (Chris Farley)

Favorite hobby?
Doing everything and anything with my kids. Especially watching them participate in sports.

Favorite music group:
Brian Hunt.

If you were stranded on an island the one person you wouldn’t want with you would be?
The Devil (and as for humans, any customer service rep from the airline, hotel or rental car agencies).

One day that stands out in your lifetime?
Besides the obvious of my wedding and the days my children were born, I’d say the day we got the Lucas Oil on the Edge contract.

If you could do something dangerous just once with no risk, what would you do?
Get into a high speed auto racing accident (I’ve always wanted to know what that felt like).

If you could have a super power what would it be?
Super-metabolism!

Who’s the most famous person stored in your cell phone?
Santa Claus (comes in handy around Christmas to show my kids I have it when they are not behaving).

Brian Aprati

Title:
Executive Vice President & Owner

Hometown:
Orland Park, IL

If you weren’t in Production?
My passion is wood working so if I wasn’t in production, I would follow my passion.

What do you like most about your job?
The meeting of new people all over the country and seeing new places.

If they made a movie of your life, who would you want to play you?
Al Pacino or Robert Deniro

Favorite hobby?
My favorite hobby is working out. I really enjoy the feeling of spending a few hours in the gym.

Favorite music group:
I would probably say Chris Daughtry or Pearl Jam

If you were stranded on an island the one person you wouldn’t want with you would be?
Martha Stewart

One day that stands out in your lifetime?
One night I spent in San Antonio TX on the Riverwalk (the rest is confidential)

If you could do something dangerous just once with no risk, what would you do?
Drive a top-fuel drag racing car as fast as it would go or fly a fighter jet

If you could have a super power what would it be?
Invisibility or super hearing

Who’s the most famous person stored in your cell phone?
Ken Stout

Jen Ashley

Title:
Senior Producer

Hometown:
Schaumburg, IL

If you weren’t in Production?
I would be a stay at home mom and working part time as a hair colorist

What do you like most about your job?
It’s a constant challenge! I’ve met a lot of great people and learned a lot about our industry. It’s especially fun to see new interns come in and have such a great outlook and be excited about the shows/events we are producing.

If they made a movie of your life, who would you want to play you?
Rachel McAdams

Favorite hobby?
Playing with Katie and experiencing all of her firsts

Favorite music group:
Depends on the day! Right now I would say that Robin Thicke is one of my favorite artists

If you were stranded on an island the one person you wouldn’t want with you would be?
Joan Rivers

One day that stands out in your lifetime?
This one is easy…the day I became a mom. Not because of the pain, but because we became a family and one little girl has the power to change so many people’s lives for the better.

If you could do something dangerous just once with no risk, what would you do?
I would do freestyle motocross. Of course, I’ve never been on a motorcycle so you can see how it would end up!

If you could have a super power what would it be?
The power to change people’s minds. I don’t want to have the power to read minds…that wouldn’t do me any good!

Who’s the most famous person stored in your cell phone?
Brendan Gaughan

Michael Smith

Title:
Editor

Hometown:
Waterloo, IA

If you weren’t in Production?
I would have followed my Dad's advice and become a really bad doctor.

What do you like most about your job?
Finding the good, cutting out the bad, creating something out of nothing.

If they made a movie of your life, who would you want to play you?
Tracy Morgan

Favorite hobby?
Snowboarding

Favorite music group:
U2

If you were stranded on an island the one person you wouldn’t want with you would be?
Paris Hilton

One day that stands out in your lifetime?
The day my son was born!

If you could do something dangerous just once with no risk, what would you do?
Compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship

If you could have a super power what would it be?
The ability to talk to animals

Who’s the most famous person stored in your cell phone?
My Mom

Sam Gahm

Title:
Editor

Hometown:
Council Bluffs, Iowa

If you weren’t in Production?
I don’t know what I would do because this is exactly what I’ve wanted to do since I was 10 years old.

What do you like most about your job?
I like the ability to tell stories and entertain people.

If they made a movie of your life, who would you want to play you?
Jonathan Pryce and I'd like Terry Gilliam to direct. Terry Gilliam is the only director who could make my life interesting.

Favorite hobby?
Reading

Favorite music group:
KISS

If you were stranded on an island the one person you wouldn’t want with you would be?
Amy Winehouse

One day that stands out in your lifetime?
Laundry day.

If you could do something dangerous just once with no risk, what would you do?
Drive a Top Fuel Hydro drag boat.

If you could have a super power what would it be?
I want the power to manipulate time.

Who’s the most famous person stored in your cell phone?
Jen Ashley

Justin Vaughan

Title:
Editor/Cameraman

Hometown:
Mokena, IL

If you weren't in Production?
I would be pursuing a career in professional baseball.

What do you like most about your job?
Traveling all across the country and my 42 inch plasma HDTV in my office.

If they made a movie about my life, who would you want to play you?
Either that guy from “The Bachelor” who looks like me or Bradley Cooper from “Hangover” he's funny and he plays a jerk really well. The perfect example is Sack from Wedding Crashers.

Favorite Hobby?
Mixed Martial Arts and Baseball

Favorite Music Group:
Pearl Jam!!!

If you were stranded on an island the one person you wouldn't want with you would be?
Michael Jackson oh wait is that bad?

One day that stands out in your lifetime?
September 11th 2001 it's one of those days that you'll never forget. You know exactly where you were and what you doing when that happened.

If you could do something dangerous just once with no risk, what would you do?
I would explore the uncharted regions of the Amazon Rainforest.

If you could have a super power what would it be?
Mind control!

Who is the most famous person stored in your cell phone?
Probably Marc Giangreco ABC7 Chicago Sports Anchor

Greg Harshbarger

Title:
Senior Cameraman

Hometown:
Ellenton, FL

If you weren’t in Production?
I would be a racecar driver.

What do you like most about your job?
Every shoot is a new challenge; it’s never the same.

If they made a movie of your life, who would you want to play you?
Brad Pitt.

Favorite hobby?
Reading.

Favorite music group:
U2!!!!

If you were stranded on an island the one person you wouldn’t want with you would be?
Danica Patrick.

One day that stands out in your lifetime?
June 24, 2006—the day my father passed away.

If you could do something dangerous just once with no risk, what would you do?
Drive a Top Fuel Hydro boat.

If you could have a super power what would it be?
To be able to swing from buildings like Spider-man!

Who’s the most famous person stored in your cell phone?
BJ Baldwin—Trophy Truck Driver

Mark Urban

Title:
Jib and SteadiCam Operator

Hometown:
Worth, IL

If you weren’t in Production?
I’d be making music.

What do you like most about your job?
Making shots for all to see

If they made a movie of your life, who would you want to play you?
Marshall Mathers

Favorite hobby?
Music

Favorite music group:
The Beatles

If you were stranded on an island the one person you wouldn’t want with you would be?
Carrot Top

One day that stands out in your lifetime?
Yesterday

If you could do something dangerous just once with no risk, what would you do?
Base Jump off the Sears Tower

If you could have a super power what would it be?
Flight!

Who’s the most famous person stored in your cell phone?
Brendan Gaughan

Bernadette Shanahan-Haas

Title:
Operations Manager

Hometown:
Grew up in Chicago, but now live in Tinley Park

If you weren’t in Production, what would you be doing?
A lottery winner

What do you like most about your job?
The people are really great and the ability to be creative.

If they made a movie of your life, who would you want to play you?
Jennifer Anniston

Favorite hobby?
Hobby…ha…who has time for a hobby!

Favorite music group:
Currently it’s Owl City…but that changes often!

If you were stranded on an island the one person you wouldn’t want with you would be?
Suzie Orman…the last thing I would want is someone yelling at me that not only am I stranded, but I’m broke too!

One day that stands out in your lifetime?
Of course the day my son was born…5 weeks early and completely not ready!

If you could do something dangerous just once with no risk, what would you do?
Swim with an Orca Whale – preferably Willy, but if he’s truly been freed, then any Orca will do.

If you could have a super power what would it be?
I would like to speak to dead people, but only the nice ones!

Who’s the most famous person stored in your cell phone?
The Mayor…of Tinley Park

Joe DiGiacomo

Title:
Account Executive

Hometown:
Orland Park

If you weren’t in Production, what would you be doing?
Taking after my dad, a Movie Operator

What do you like most about your job?
Event weekends at the track

If they made a movie of your life, who would you want to play you?
Al Pacino

Favorite hobby?
Collecting stuff with my favorite teams logo (Cubs and Bears)

Favorite music group:
Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reef Band

If you were stranded on an island the one person you wouldn’t want with you would be?
Barry Bonds

One day that stands out in your lifetime?
My Wedding Day

If you could do something dangerous just once with no risk, what would you do?
Skydive

If you could have a super power what would it be?
Telepathy

Who’s the most famous person stored in your cell phone?
Ted Brunson

Scott Mailin

Title:
Account Manager

Hometown:
Joliet, IL

If you weren’t in Production?
Property Management

What do you like most about your job?
Building relationships with clients and I work with some of the most talented people in the industry.

If they made a movie of your life, who would you want to play you?
Rob Schneider

Favorite hobby?
Hunting

Favorite music group:
ABBA

If you were stranded on an island the one person you wouldn’t want with you would be?
My golf instructor, Milo.

One day that stands out in your lifetime?
The day I married my beautiful wife

If you could do something dangerous just once with no risk, what would you do?
Off-road racing

If you could have a super power what would it be?
Be faster than a speeding bullet.

Who’s the most famous person stored in your cell phone?
Ted Nuggent

Ken Stout

Title:
Show Host

Hometown:
Clearwater, Fl.

If you weren’t in Production?
I’d be racing.

What do you like most about your job?
The people involved with motorsports.

If they made a movie of your life, who would you want to play you?
Nick Nolte

Favorite hobby?
Racing, Sitting at the Tiki bar by a beach, Diving

Favorite music group:
Kenny Chesney

If you were stranded on an island the one person you wouldn’t want with you would be?
The list is too long to mention

One day that stands out in your lifetime?
The day I flipped an Off Road Racing truck and knocked my self out.

If you could do something dangerous just once with no risk, what would you do?
Sky Dive

If you could have a super power what would it be?
The power to sway sponsors to hand over large amounts of money!!

Who’s the most famous person stored in your cell phone?
Rob Klepper

Ken Heinneman

Title:
Sterographer / Videographer / Tech. Manager / Production Manager

Hometown:
Schererville, IN

If you weren’t in Production?
I would probably be in some type of computer work

What do you like most about your job?
Travel

If they made a movie of your life, who would you want to play you?
Don Rickles

Favorite hobby?
None

Favorite music group:
Pink Floyd

If you were stranded on an island the one person you wouldn’t want with you would be?
Prefer not to say

One day that stands out in your lifetime?
Spending the day on the Aircraft Carrier Roosevelt

If you could do something dangerous just once with no risk, what would you do?
Drive in an Indy Car Race

If you could have a super power what would it be?
Invisibility

Who’s the most famous person stored in your cell phone?
Jay Leno

Joshua Wright

Title:
Freelance Camera Operator/Tech Manager

Hometown:
Hammond, Indiana

If you weren’t in Production?
I would probably be doing something along the lines of remodeling or building, something were im working with my hands.

What do you like most about your job?
Mainly the people I work with are all awesome in their own way.

If they made a movie of your life, who would you want to play you?
Jeremy Piven

Favorite hobby?
Definitely sports

Favorite music group:
I don’t have one

If you were stranded on an island the one person you wouldn’t want with you would be?
“””Robio”””

One day that stands out in your lifetime?
The day my daughter was born changed my life forever

If you could do something dangerous just once with no risk, what would you do?
I don’t know, try to take over the whole world.

If you could have a super power what would it be?
Being able to go back only within 24 hours of time and change anything that happen in your own life

Who’s the most famous person stored in your cell phone?
I’m not that important

Steve Koehler

Title:
Stedicam/POV Specialist

Hometown:
Cincinnati, OH

If you weren’t in Production?
I’d be a famous Actor!

What do you like most about your job?
Showing people there races from my cameras

If they made a movie of your life, who would you want to play you?
Dave Chappelle

Favorite hobby?
Frisbee Golf

Favorite music group:
311

If you were stranded on an island the one person you wouldn’t want with you would be?
Rip Taylor

One day that stands out in your lifetime?
My first day at NeWave.

If you could do something dangerous just once with no risk, what would you do?
Top Fuel Drag Boat Race setting the quickest and fastest time ever.

If you could have a super power what would it be?
Invincibility

Who’s the most famous person stored in your cell phone?
ME!