A new beginning that's all about endings.

In 2009, Gary Solomon Jr., Steve Fink and Jonathan Foucheaux stirred their diverse skills and considerable experience to form the Solomon Group. They came together because they're storytellers of a different breed. In an industry where exhibits and events are too often guided by an “information checklist,” they believe that creating breakthrough experiences begins at the end. That’s why their entire process keeps your audience in sharp focus. How do you want them to feel? What do you want them to think? What will make such a deep impression that they just have to come back?

Turns out their hunch was a lot more than a hunch. In only a few short years, Solomon Group has blazed a trail of artistry and innovation across the region, captivating audiences with one-of-a-kind multimedia installations and dazzling live events. No matter the complexity, Solomon Group is ready to tell your story in ways you never imagined.

Meet the Team

Gary Solomon Jr.
President

Gary Solomon Jr. President

One of the city’s top young entrepreneurs, Gary Solomon Jr. has built Solomon Group into a leading force in the Gulf South’s emerging entertainment and technology industry. Translating technology into entertainment, his media productions have been featured in museums, theatres, stadiums, arenas and convention centers. He is a guest lecturer at his alma mater, New York University, where he teaches undergraduate students both in technical and business aspects of developing entertainment concepts.  He has been the Managing Director of Le Petit Theatre and serves on the boards of the NO/AIDS Task Force, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, Young Audiences of Louisiana, the Ogden Museum and the Intercultural Charter School.  As an artist whose tools are technology, his vision translates into business and creative successes for his clients, partners and community.

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Jonathan Foucheaux
Partner

Jonathan Foucheaux Partner

Among the leading minds in the field of entertainment technology in the Gulf South, Jonathan Foucheaux has led the development of over thirty attraction installations in the United States and designed the integration of sound and lighting systems for live venues, ride-control systems, show control systems, and other highly customized applications. In addition to his experience as the Director of Entertainment at Six Flags Theme Parks, Jonathan brings 14 years of experience in systems design, integration and installation management.  Most recently Jonathan was the project manager and lead designer for the new permanent exterior lighting of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and lead show control programmer for Dolly Parton's Pirates Voyage, a special effect filled dinner show experience.  Jonathan is currently the lead project manager for the National World War II Museum's new immersive and interactive attraction following the story of the USS Tang, the most successfull submarine during World War II, opening November 2012.

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Stephen Fink
Partner

Stephen Fink Partner

As a recognized leader in the event technology industry in the Gulf Coast region, Stephen has been involved in some of the biggest events to hit New Orleans in the last 10 years. Two Super Bowls, the Final Four, and Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame World premiere have all benefited from his technical expertise in the fields of audio, video, lighting and large-scale display systems. Stephen spent nine years leading the production department at the Louisiana Superdome and New Orleans Arena, managing events and leading installation projects in the two world-class event facilities, and has 16 years experience in the live event production market as both an end-user and as a service provider. He is considered an expert in the field of video, television production and large-scale display systems, having designed systems for numerous high profile projects. Stephen has a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Louisiana State University.

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Mark Tracy
Account Executive

Mark Tracy Account Executive

Mark Tracy has been involved in the Gulf South entertainment production industry for the last 30 years. Starting as a stagehand, he created Express Productions to fill the need for a New Orleans-based company that could operate and maintain a state-of-the-art lighting inventory serviced by highly motivated, experienced, professional event coordinators and technicians. Over the next 20 years, Express Productions would grow to be the region’s leading lighting provider, branching out into scenic and staging as well. Express Productions has been awarded Organization of the Year by the Fashion Group International for its contributions to state-of-the-art lighting and scenic design. 

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Nicolas Nevares, CMP
Director | Event Experiences

Nicolas Nevares, CMP Director | Event Experiences

With a belief that events are capable of testing the boundaries of our imagination, Nick has become one of leading creative minds in the New Orleans events industry. After graduating from Loyola University New Orleans, he first worked with the decorators at Blaine Kern Jr.’s Mardi Gras Productions to create imaginative thematic events for a wide range of local clients. After four years, he moved to become the Senior Sales Manager and award-winning Creative Designer at BBC Destination Management, a Global Events Partner, leading the DMC’s creative proposal writing and event designs. He has been a guest lecturer at area universities on event production, and a guest writer in nationwide industry publications. He has served on the Board of the New Orleans Chapter of the International Special Events Society for numerous years, including most recently as VP of Programs and Education, and as President. 

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Michael Kramer
Sr. Designer

Michael Kramer Sr. Designer

Michael Kramer is a TV, theatre and live event designer with a broad portfolio, including ESPN’s “SportsNation” (Emmy Nominated Production Design 2010), The Papal visit to Ground Zero, ESPN’s World Cup Studio 2010 – South Africa (Emmy Nominated Production Design 2011), Broadway on Broadway, The Golf Channel’s "Morning Drive," Comedy Central’s "Friday Night with Greg Giraldo," Nickelodeon’s "World Wide Fido Awards," and ABC’s "Winner’s Bracket.”

Michael is also the resident scenic designer at Astoria Performing Arts Center (APAC). APAC credits include: "Ragtime" and "Children of Eden" (both New York Innovative Theatre Award winners for Outstanding Scenic Design 2009 & 2010), "A New Brain,” "Proof” and "Triumph of Love." Other NYC credits include "For the Love of Christ!" – 2009 NYC Fringe Festival, "Trails" - NYMF 2010 and "The Wake of Jamey Foster" – Connection Theatre Company. Regional credits include "Steel Magnolias" and "The Wedding Signer" – Le Petit Theatre New Orleans, and "The Miracle Worker" and "Evita" – Foothills Theatre Company.

A proud New Orleans native, Michael graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1997 and received an MFA in Scenic Design from Western Illinois University in 2001.

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Matt Foucheaux
Production Manager

Matt Foucheaux Production Manager

Over the past 10 years, Matt has worked on productions throughout the South ranging from corporate events to national music tours. His adept manipulation of lighting and video design for any sized event have made him an invaluable asset to New Orleans-based producers, most recently the Solomon Group. The integration of these elements for programming and design, together with a highly imaginative and efficient work process, combine to make him a leader amongst few peers.

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James Moore
Production Manager

James Moore Production Manager

For the past ten years James has professionally worked in the New Orleans production industry. He graduated from Loyola University in 2006 with a BA in Theater Arts and a minor in Business Administration. In 2007 he started working for Express Productions, one of the area's largest A/V firms, and was charged with overseeing their lighting department. James' background in theater combined with his professional experience in the live events industry has allowed him the opportunity to design or co-design many shows for demanding clients such as the PCMA Closing Gala and high end parties for AOL, Wells Fargo, and Microsoft. Other notable accomplishments include lighting design for the opening of the BB KIng Museum in Indianola, Mississippi and events for the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience, Saks Fifth Avenue, Dillard's, AFL, Acura, and many others.

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Kevin Mellor
Finance Manager

Kevin Mellor Finance Manager

Kevin Mellor is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Louisiana, with several years of auditing and tax experience. He has joined the Solomon Group after working with a variety of clients while he was employed with one of the region's leading CPA firms. Kevin graduated from the University of New Orleans with Bachelors Degrees in Accounting, Finance, and Business Administration. Kevin is currently a member of the Young Leadership Council and a member of the LCPA, where he sits on the Young CPA's Committee, and actively volunteers in an initiative to financially educate the youth of New Orleans.

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Scott Beelman
Production Associate

Scott Beelman Production Associate

Scott Beelman began his career as the Technical Entertainment Supervisor for the late Six Flags New Orleans.  A fixture on the New Orleans music scene, Scott Beelman has contributed his talents over the last 12 years as a freelance audio engineer and studio designer for recording studios and post-production facilities. Scott has served as the studio designer and instructor of the Audio Engineering program at Delgado Community College, facilitating its growth over the last four years.   An active bass player in the New Orleans music scene, Scott can be found rocking out on stage, and often fixing live audio systems.

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Debra Tracy
Account Executive

Debra Tracy Account Executive

Coming Soon

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Dan Krall
Fabrication

Dan Krall Fabrication

Dan has been working in the world of theatre and live events for the past 9 years.  He has been a carpenter at Capital Repertory Theater and Lake George Opera Festival, Technical Directer of StageWorks Theater on the Hudson, Master Carpenter and ATD at the Utah Shakespearean Festival, and has worked in both lighting and scenic at Le Petit Theatre.  Dan has worked countless hours over the last few years with both Express Productions and the Solomon Group, from one-off events to Champions Square and the Katrina & Beyond Museum Exhibit, and is thrilled to be a part of a great team. 

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Andrew Smith
Operations

Andrew Smith Operations

Andy purchased a PA system at 14 to DJ friends' parties, and never looked back. Since then he has worked alongside some of the greatest lighting, audio, video and scenic designers in nearly every venue in the New Orleans area. His ever expanding skills led him to the entertainment department at Six Flags New Orleans and Le Petit Theatre.

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Danielle Maggio
Production Coordinator

Danielle Maggio Production Coordinator

Danielle's passion for all things multimedia has brought her to Solomon Grou[p from an incredibly diverse spectrum of disciplines. A native New Orleanian, she recieved her undergrad degree at LSU in Business, Film, Media arts and History, and then recieved her Masters at Full Sail in Entertainment Business. While in Baton Rouge she managed a local radio station, choreographing broadcasting, promotions and events. She has worked as executive producer on a few television pilots filmed locally, and has now brought this experience in management of complex entertainment systems to her new position at Solomon Group.

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Ray Daniels
Logistics & Operations

Ray Daniels Logistics & Operations

Ray Daniels is a proud veteran of the US Army who earned many medals and honors while serving the country, including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. During his decorated tenure, Ray was elevated to the rank of Staff Sergeant and was responsible for the leadership and development of enlisted soldiers in his charge. Since his military service, Ray has worked in a number of capacities while utelizing his skill as an independantly contracted Commercial Truck Driver, logging over 700,000 safe miles. He served as Operations Manager for Waste Management and was responsible for a fleet of over 65 trucks, drivesr and hoppers in 7 Parishes of Southeast Louisiana. Before coming to Solomon Group, Ray successfully served for 20 years as either Support Services Manager or Site Manager for almost every major music festival in New Orleans as well as others throughout the United States.

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Russell C. Howard
Administrative Assistant

Russell C. Howard Administrative Assistant

Russell came to the Solomon Group and New Orleans by way of Tuscaloosa, AL. His love of travel, stemming from mission aid trips to the far corners of the US and Mexico during college, encouraged him to seek out a new and interesting place to live. Additionally, after volunteering for a year with the DCH Foundation, a local hospital in Tuscaloosa, Russell worked on their staff coordinating the day to day operations of the foundation as they worked to gain donor recognition. He has also served as an officer of numerous political organizations in his hometown, and on his downtime loves to catch up on his favorite football team, the Alabama Crimson Tide.

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