Production Resource Group (PRG) today announced new responsibilities for two top managers in its Los Angeles office. Susan Tesh, who has been serving as general manager of West Coast operations, has been named vice president, sales and customer service. Tom Sorce, formerly the company's vice president of business development, assumes the role of general manager, Los Angeles, with primary responsibility for business operations.
"Los Angeles is one of our most important markets," says Jere Harris, PRG's chairman and CEO. "Having these two highly skilled professionals working together as a team gives us increased capacity and flexibility to deliver the quality and attention to detail that our customers have come to expect from PRG—along with the quick turnaround this market requires."
"You won't find two more knowledgeable or experienced people in this industry than Susan and Tom," agrees Rusty Brutsche, PRG's vice chairman and chief technology officer. "They are devoted to meeting the needs of their clients while building a stronger, more effective PRG."
Tesh has earned a national reputation for her work with live television productions. She has supported some of the world's biggest events, including the opening and closing ceremonies at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, the World Music Awards, NFL Superbowl half-time shows, Miss Universe Pageants, American Idol productions, and the Academy Awards as well as numerous concert tours.
Tesh began serving as general manager of PRG's California operations in August 2004, after PRG's merger with VLPS Lighting Services International. Prior to the merger, she had been managing the West Coast office of VLPS.
She first came to Los Angeles in 1979 to join sound and lighting company TFA/Electrotec, where she worked with many top concert tours. In 1987, she was named exclusive US distributor for Milab microphones, supplying many of the nation's leading recording and live audio engineers.
Tesh attended the London School of Economics and completed several courses in entertainment business at UCLA.
Tom Sorce is known throughout the industry as an audio specialist who also is highly knowledgeable in entertainment business management. He came to PRG in 1999, when PRG acquired A-1 Audio & Lighting, where Sorce was CEO.
Prior to joining A-1 Audio & Lighting, Sorce was senior vice president and general manager of the New York office of Masque Sound, where he grew revenues by more than $1 million annually and helped guide the company expansion into Florida and Arizona. While at Masque, he also served as audio consultant to Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Manhattan Theatre Club, New York Shakespeare Festival, and many Broadway productions.
Sorce began his entertainment career in the early 1970's as a sound designer, production sound engineer, and front of house mixer for Broadway, concert touring, and casino productions throughout North America and Europe. He received his undergraduate degree in arts and sciences from the University of Nevada-Reno and holds a masters degree in psychology from the University of Santa Monica. He is a member of IATSE locals 1 and 363.
Susan Tesh and Tom Sorce will both continue to be based in PRG's Los Angeles office.