TED Community » Greg Lucas

About Me

Gregory Neil Lucas
88 Clingman Avenue Asheville, NC 28801
828-242-6663 greg@betterventures.net

BACKGROUND SUMMARY
Entrepreneur with extensive experience in marketing and sales, operations, strategy and the financial management of small high-tech and entertainment businesses. Professional knowledge spans satellite telecommunications, contemporary musician management, small business valuation, web-based product development and media arts.

EXPERIENCE

Music Allies
Director of Business Development; Asheville; February 2009 – Present

Music Allies has a six-year track record providing label management services for artist owned labels including Ani Difranco's Righteous Babe Records, Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records and numerous other talented and entrepreneurial musicians. As Director of Business Development I am launching a new web based initiative for the company and expanding the mainline business in new directions.

Better Ventures LLC
Managing Director; Asheville, NC; July 2008 – Present
Better Ventures is a cultural centrifuge based in Asheville North Carolina, a progressive urban gem in the Southern Appalachian range. At home, we distill dance, music, performance and art to build community through live experience. This rapid rotational energy coalesces in regular presentations of national touring artists and the best talent of the Asheville music scene. Further afield, Better Ventures spins culture out of suspension as we provide international tour management, produce entertainment events, and facilitate art-based community outreach. Inspired by creative individuals who push cultural boundaries, our mission is to enhance the human experience with progressive arts.

Music + Art Management, Inc.
Vice President; Asheville, NC; September 2004 – July 2008
Served as primary managerial contact for two national recording artists. Assist President of company with other artists. Focus of firm is performance production services for musically focused artists, including King Britt, Haale, Carl Hancock Rux and Vijay Iyer. Regularly negotiates contracts with record labels, performance centers and music licensors on behalf of clients.

The Media Arts Project (MAP)
Executive Director, Asheville, NC; January 2004 – August 2004
Served the MAP Board and membership to assist Western North Carolina’s media artists as creative participants in the global media culture. MAP efforts include media arts education, content production, commercial distribution and dissemination, on-line and physical art exhibition, and community analysis of local projects. Managed fundraising activities that will sustain the non-profit and enhance its capabilities to fulfill its mission.

Futron Corporation
Product Manager, FCCFilings Bethesda, MD; 2002 - 2003
Led transitional training for three Futron staff to operate FCCFilings.com product. Assisted transition of Regulatory Access information assets and client relationships to four Futron Program Managers and one Division Director. Continued customer support and ongoing product maintainance of FCCFilings.com. Authored several research reports and industry presentations related to US and international satellite regulation.

Regulatory Access, LLC
Managing Partner McLean, VA; 1999 - 2002
Conceptualized, financed and created an online resource of FCC satellite applications and all associated comment filings since 1990 called FCCFilings.com. Managed company business planning, strategy, finances and consulting practice. Led international sales effort and had daily contact with in-house legal counsel, sales and marketing personnel and management of top satellite manufacturers, service providers and launch vehicle providers. Contributed to four month partnership negotiation leading to sale of company to Futron Corporation in January 2002.

EDUCATION
Georgetown University, Washington DC; Walsh School of Foreign Service
Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Foreign Service, 1998
Concentration in Science, Technology and International Affairs

PERSONAL
Board Member, French Broad River Academy; 2010-2011
Board Member, Asheville Hatch Festival; 2008-2010
Board Member, WNC Film Commission; 2005 –2007
Board Member, Media Arts Project; 2004 – 2006
Fellow of the NC Institute of Political Leadership; Spring 2005
Graduate of Leadership Asheville program; 2005 (23rd Class)
Dinsmore Scholarship Grantee, Circumnavigators Foundation, 1997
Chairman, Georgetown Charity Block Party, 1997-1998
Senior Staff, Georgetown Model UN Association, 1996-1998