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MISSION STATEMENT

 

BCBG provides nightlife entertainment companies

with expert creative, logistical and legal guidance and

compliance oversight to streamline business operations and increase profitability.

 

Gerard McNamee was born in the Bronx to Irish immigrant parents and resides in Chelsea, NYC.  He graduated from Fordam University, Rose Hill with a BS in Business Administration. Gerard is a expeditor, curator and strategic lead. His personnel and production skills are vast and specific.  

 

He has forged a relevant reputation and relationships with NYPD Legal, VICE & INTEL and Special Operations divisions, FDNY, NY State Liquor Authority, Department of Health, Department of Buildings and local community boards and councils.  He has insight into countless cultures and climates and can mediate and mitigate any circumstance.  He is a skilled operator, orator, organizer, motivator, mentor, monitor and diplomat exemplifying a morale driven leader.  

 

Gerard executes efficiently in facility management, crowd control and client relations management.  His network extends from entertainment & nightlife professionals to artists and talent from multiple genres and mediums. He has surrounded himself with a cabinet of like-minded and skilled industry players both creative and business oriented known for their ability to deliver immediate and profitable results.

 

Gerard is an expert in all aspects of venue operations, security & safety execution, community outreach and damage control.  Gerard is a solution-oriented strategist. 

Ray Wiederhold is a highly decorated former law enforcement executive with 30 years experience, from beat cop to Deputy Chief. Ray holds a M.S. degree in Criminal Justice Administration from the University of New Haven (UNH).  

 

The criminal justice program at UNH is one of the oldest, largest and best-known programs in the U.S. Ray has worked in New York City’s nightlife scene since 2007, most notably as security monitor, consultant and training instructor at the world famous Webster Hall. He has also had the distinct experience as liaison to NYPD’s 9th and Midtown South Precincts. Ray is also a self-employed licensed & bonded Private Investigator in the state of New York.  Ray is also an accomplished actor, writer and performer. He resides in Brooklyn, New York.

 

 

Jack Cooke is a pioneer in the the field of community engagement and crisis management. Jack has developed a set of best practices for venue owners looking to operate responsibly and with minimum negative community impact.  He was a longtime licensee in New York City. Jack also spent several years working for the Bronx Borough President. While working in the Borough President’s office he dealt with community boards and police precincts on a daily basis. This interaction gives him unique insight into how these entities operate and how best to handle your interaction with them.  Jack's work has been recognized by his peers in the retail trade.

 

He has served as President of the Manhattan Restaurant & Tavern Owners Association and has served as member of the board of directors of the American Beverage Licensees Association.  He has spoken on this topic to several groups including delivering a Key Note address at the Responsible Hospitality Forum in Washington D.C. His fellow speakers that day included the President of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and the President of the American Medical Association.  Jack has designed successful operating plans for clients in New York City, South Florida and Europe.  Whether you are just in the process of finding a location or fighting to save your business, Jack and our team are here to help you.

Michael C. Morello, born and raised in the meadowlands of New Jersey, is one of the most effective operations experts and administrative specialists in nightlife, music venue and events production. 

 

Groomed by Gerard McNamee from day 1, Morello is proficient in every aspect of producing events - permitting, licensing, booking, venue relations, community relations, show production, operations design, staffing, inventory, site plans, interior design, crowd control, event marketing, social media build out etc. Michael has been producing and operating events for over 8 years.  

 

Previous clients and partners include but are not limited to Cityfox, Jukely, Webster Hall, Slake, Ladybug, GBH, Girls & Boys, The Studio, Area Events, Track Marketing, Kostume Kult, SantaCon, RedBull, The Bowery Presents, Lovergurl, RPM Presents, Resolut, Verboten, Blk Mkt, East Village Social & more.  

 

Michael is available for consultation and sourcing through the office of BCBG.  Michael is a bi-coastal events specialist, mostly working in Los Angeles & NYC.

 

Michael is also the CEO of Momentum Picture House LLC, currently developing a television series called "Momentum: The Series."

 

 

 

 

Katie Paul was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario.  After secondary school, Katie studied fashion marketing at the Art Institute of Toronto, graduating with her Bachelor of Arts.  The day after receiving her degree, Katie packed her car and drove to New York City.  While in New York, Katie finished her education and received a diploma in Fashion Design/Buying & Textile Sourcing from the Art Institute of New York City.  Katie realized that her passion was not in creating fashion but actually living it - she started working in nightlife and never looked back.

 

With seven plus years of management experience, Katie has become a nightlife and nightclub professional possessing the multiple skills necessary to succeed in this very demanding, high paced industry.

 

Katie thrives in high stress situations, able to lead a large team while simultaneously multi-tasking. She is an organized proven leader; a timely and efficient problem solver and group coordinator.  Katie has also cultivated trusting, professional relationships working closely with NYPD Legal, Vice, Intel, and Special Operations, FDNY, The NYSLA, Department of Health and Department of Buildings.  

 

Katie is an expert in handling crowds in excess of 2,000 people, customer service, team building and training, supply ordering, event planning, scheduling and general operations.  For the past five years, Katie has served as the personal executive assistant and assistant to the Director of Operations at  Webster Hall, New York City's largest and longest running nightlife venue.  Katie also maintains a vast and diverse network ranging from the in-crowds of fashion to the hottest acts in hip-hop and r&b.

Oskar Miarka served as Assistant General Manager of Webster Hall for seven years.  He was responsible for flow, processing, entry and customer service of thousands of guests weekly. Oskar oversaw the hiring and scheduling of bar staff and security. He implemented time and money saving protocols for the back-of-house, coordinated operations for thousands of events and corporate functions, and  produced and marketed nearly two hundred events at The Studio. Oskar holds a B.A. in Photography from Bard College. 

 

 

As an operator, Oskar's responsibilitiy is to take whatever means necessary to protect and ensure the daily opening and swift and efficient operation of the venue, notwithstanding and in addition to applying both tangible and intangible assets, actions and attitudes under the durress and stress of a time sensitive and alcohol fueled reality.  

 

Born in the Bronx and raised between the city and Westchester, Jonas Borra attended the Browning School and then studied creative writing at Purchase College. 

 

With his family involved in the delicatessan and restaurant businesses, Jonas has always had a penchant for customer service and attention to detail. Most recently, Jonas worked with Take Me Out NYC, at The Lodge Club on West 8th street, Webster Hall and King & Grove - Williamsburg, where he held positions ranging from Directing Manager, Head of VIP, Maitre'd , and Door Host. Currently, Jonas presides as the General Manager of Fourth Wall Restaurant Group's nightclub, Riff Raff's on Park Avenue South.

 

Jonas was also signed with the men's division of the Ford Modeling agency doing predominantly runway and showroom work for brands ranging from Marc Jacobs to Thom Browne in the mid 2000's. In 2008, Jonas had a stint as a pitcher for a minor league baseball team, in Lewisville, Texas. 

 

In his spare time, Jonas plays competitive tournament golf in the metropolitan section and currently holds a 1.2 handicap. Aside from golf, Jonas stays active playing basketball weekly and also performs, sings and writes 80's inspired pop/electro music.

Sam Bove was born in 1990 in Warren, Vermont. After completing his High School education he worked as a sailor delivering yachts throughout the Caribbean, New England, Asia and the Mediterranean. His desire to see the world also took him from Vermont to Costa Rica on his bicycle and on excursions down the Mekong and Brahmaputra rivers in wooden boats he built himself. During his travels Sam began his career in nightlife as floor manager at La Sala Nightclub in Antigua, Guatemala and SOS bar in Puerto Escondido, Mexico.

 

In 2014 he went on to study Journalism at The New School in NYC, bar tending by night at the East Village Social and Webster Hall under the tutelage of Gerard McNamee. He is also a longtime builder/painter on the visual design team at Bonnaroo Music Festival, San Francisco’s Outside Lands, several Phish festivals, and will be involved in the premier of Okeechobee music festival coming March 2016 in Florida.

 

Sam’s experience in bar tending, management, and visual design has not only given him the ability to curate a space but create an environment in which people tune in, turn on, and keep rocking ‘till last call.

 

Pam Schon was born in Brooklyn and raised on Long Island just outside of New York City.

Now, with over 25 years of dedicated experience in the bar, nightclub and hospitality business, Pam is an expert in the aforementioned culture. She has seen it all, twice. With time spent working between NYC & San Francisco, Pam's expertise lies in both front and back of house operations. She has proven to be adept at lowering and maintaining liquor costs while simultaneously raising revenue for the venue.  Additionally, Pam is proficient in dealing with licensing and permits, working with local fire, police, health, buildings departments and the state liquor authority.

Over the span of her career, Pam has overseen the sale of millions of drinks to happy customers.  She continues to work for what she describes as her "true love" of the hospitality business.

 

 

Born in Buffalo, New York in 1964, Michael Naber has called New York City home since 1988. After completing a degree in communications from Buffalo State University, he moved to New York City in hopes of pursuing a career in the record industry. He landed a job at indy metal label Road

Runner Records, where he worked in radio promotion. Simultaneously, Michael took a part-time gig at a record store on the legendary St. Mark's Place to make ends meet. He found retail life and the excitement of St. Mark's Place more appealing than the desk job at Road Runner. Leaving

the label in 1989, he began his 11-year career at Saint Marks Sounds, moving from bag checker to manager and eventually to buyer. Michael had a reputation of working with local bands and artists to get their CDs in the store on consignment or outright purchasing them.

 

 In January 2000, Michael left St. Mark's Sounds to pursue his dream of owning his own restaurant. He and a partner opened Bonnies Grill in Park Slope, Brooklyn on January 1, 2000. Michael combined his love for simple yet delicious food, great music, and rock 'n' roll decor to produce a unique haven in the then-quiet neighborhood. Bonnies Grill received accolades for their chicken wings, burgers, and pulled pork sandwiches.

 

Along the brick walls at Bonnies, Michael curated revolving art shows featuring local artists and photographers. Between shows the walls were adorned with Michael's collection of rare memorabilia he had been acquiring since he was a teenager. Michael sold Bonnies Grill in the winter of  2015. After becoming a father to twins in November 2012, he felt he needed a change in lifestyle. He began working for Sysco foods as a marketing associate in May 2015, a

position he currently holds. 

CREATIVE

Shane Savant has been the Creative Director of Webster Hall Entertainment Corporation for over 13 years. During Savant’s illustrious tenure at Webster Hall, his responsibilities have encompassed a vast myriad of creative design aspects, including all aspects of live production: set design, prop design, costume design, talent casting, choreography and makeup design. Other areas of expertise include: digital graphic design, interior/ furniture design, marketing and cultivating strategic sponsorships.

 

In addition to Savant’s creative work at Webster Hall, he has been consistently involved with producing events for NY Fashion Week for the past 9 years. Savant is especially known for serving up unique entertainment concepts not found elsewhere. 

Cortez Farris started his career working at the world famous Hit Factory in New York, NY.  He quickly worked his way up to Engineer and worked with some of the biggest names of our time including Whitney Houston, the Black Eyed Peas and Lil Kim.  He was nominated for a Grammy for the Black Eyed Peas’ album “Elephunk”.  At the same time he was developing his skills to record and mix for Broadway plays, major motion picture soundtracks and national television commercials. He has produced and recorded 5 RIAA certified Multi-Platinum Records and contributed his mixing skills to 2 Grammy nominated albums. 

 

He has shared his vast knowledge and experience through teaching at Recording Connection in Hollywood, CA., OmniTech in Atlanta, GA and the Art Institute of Atlanta in Atlanta, GA.  Upon opening Robot City Studios  in Atlanta, Farris founded the Atlanta Mentoring Music Production Program (AMMPP).  As a graduate of Tuskegee University and the Art Institute of Atlanta he wanted to bridge the world of traditional education and real world experience. 

 

From 1998-2000, Cortez was the sous chef at the Lemon restaurant where his responsibilities included, running the line during service, preparing daily specials, ordering product, and hiring new employees.  When the head chef was not in, Farris stepped in to prepare and manage the kitchen.

 

Farris additionally managed several Two Boots Pizza establishments, including the Avenue A location. From 2000 until 2005 Farris ran the day-to-day activities of the restaurant which involved food preparation, pizza making, product ordering, and working with distributors.  He was also responsible for creating weekly schedules, hiring of employees, payroll, and daily profit & loss sheets.   

 

 

Matthew Evertsen is a passionate advocate for the arts. As creative director and music marketing consultant, Evertsen recognizes and studies the cultural power of the universal language of music. His expertise combines over a decade of industry experience with an eclectic, open-minded and refined taste.

 

Evertsen’s music supervision and strategy credits include Victoria’s Secret, Giorgio Armani, Calvin Klein, Playboy, Uniqlo, Pepsi, 451 Media, Visionaire World and Lina Viktor with placements from M83, Rhye, Blood Orange, Ellie Goulding, St. Lucia, Kito & Reija Lee, CharlieRED, Dynasty Electric, Holy Ghost!, BANKS, Leikeli47, Beck and executive produced original compositions for Propel, Remy Martin, Bath & Body Works, Lord & Taylor, Sylvania, and Maine Medical Center.

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