LAURIE DEJONG
CEO

Laurie DeJong brings more than 20 years of event and business strategy and leadership experience to LDJ. As chief executive, she oversees the strategic direction, culture and structure of the company.

Laurie is sought after as a director of high profile fashion, beauty, tech, media, and luxury automotive events globally. She is Agency Producer for WME / IMG's New York Fashion Week platform and has spearheaded the multi-million dollar platform's strategic move to semi-permanent homes over the past 5 years. Under her leadership, LDJ has made multiple appearances on the Inc. 5000 list, the Women Presidents Organization's list of the "50 Fastest-Growing Women-Owned Businesses in North America" and was named one of New York's 50 fastest-growing companies by SmartCEO.

As a longtime mentor of women and girls globally, her philanthropic efforts have led to the formation of the Paper Fig Foundation, the purpose-driven initiative of LDJ Productions. She is a regular speaker on women’s empowerment, mentorship and the economic impact of fashion on global economies with specific emphasis on developing nations and recently spoke at the World Economic Forum Africa.  Laurie is a Trustee of Marist College, a member of the Women's Presidents' Educational Organization, and the National Association of Professional Women. Laurie was recently selected "Enterprising Woman of the Year" by Enterprising Women Magazine and is a guest writer for Entrepreneur Magazine.

ADAM COOK
President & CFO

Adam Cook brings over 15 years of strategic and financial management, with expertise in agency, venture-funded startup, and non-profit financial modeling to the LDJ executive team. In his role, he is responsible for all organizational finances, growth modelling, long-range strategic forecasting, and leads New Business and Partnership initiatives.

His career highlights include the raising of $60MM to purchase and restore a two separate historical NY landmark buildings for the Manhattan Theater Club and St. Ann's Warehouse, which are both 30+ year pillar arts organizations.

He worked in client finance for Ogilvy & Mather with clients such as: Blackrock, Coca-Cola, General Electric, IBM, TD Ameritrade, and UPS. He worked as CFO / COO for American-Made startup, Flint&Tinder, before it’s sale in 2014.

Adam is very engaged in the day-to-day operations and operational finances of LDJ and The Paper Fig Foundation, and enjoys finding ways to create efficiencies to provide client cost savings and help our Producers and Technical Production teams manage individual event and overall client relationship budgets.

DAVID STEINBERG
Senior Vice President | Executive Producer

David brings more than 20 years of event operations and production experience to LDJ Productions. He manages the firm's most complex productions and services the Matrix, Kerastase, Automation Anywhere, Roden & Fields accounts, among others. Through his many years at LDJ, he has led events for the company in Europe, China, Africa, India, Haiti and almost every state in the United States.

David was born in Monrovia, Liberia, later spending several years in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire), and three years in Ivory Coast as the son of a diplomat and a journalist. In between tours in Africa, David grew up in the suburban Washington DC area. He is thrilled that LDJ’s non profit efforts through the Paper Fig Foundation have given him the opportunity to revisit the continent.

David moved to NYC to join the inaugural class of the New Actor's Workshop where he studied with theatre legends Mike Nichols and Paul Sills. Following this program, David's interest in theater production expanded and he began to work in the wider live events production space. David joined LDJ Productions in 2002 and specializes in production management, set concept and design and technical direction. His broad experience and talent with complex event programming has been vital to the expansion and success of the company.

MELISSA RASMUSSEN
Executive Producer

Melissa has gleaned experience from 20 years of the unexpected events that happen “Only in Events.” She has worked with clients to create dynamic, motivating experiences for their audiences. Her broad expertise in entertainment events and corporate communications includes staging, live broadcast, tradeshow design & installation, design & execution of company-wide learning programs, digital media and corporate identity. For 10 years, Melissa & the Untitled 8 team were the production partners for Scripps Networks Interactive Upfront Tour, traveling to and producing 8 or more major events in different US cities. In 2018, Discovery completed the merger with SNI creating a powerhouse media company. In just 11 days the creative presentations and video were adapted and completed and the “New Discovery” was on the road. Untitled 8 was thrilled to be on board for this moment in media history and help Discovery create a successful road show for their first Upfront as one unified company.

Melissa has directed projects for a wide range of clients in varying industries including: Discovery, Scripps Networks Interactive, Comcast, Canon, CES/CEA, Saks Fifth Avenue, Abercrombie & Fitch, AstraZeneca, Deloitte, Channel 4 Films, Cisco, Cole Haan, Pfizer, Campbell’s, GHD, Microsoft, and American Airlines.

CHARLES CHILTON
Vice President | Executive Producer

Charles has over 20 years of experience in the meeting & events industry; creating long-lasting relationships and working as a trusted liaison between clients and production teams. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with clients on content development and strategy, working to identify proper corporate messaging and how to effectively communicate it through live events.

His work has been focused in the fashion, beauty and luxury industries building and reinforcing corporate standards and brand image to inform, motivate and educate audiences, working with brands such as: Chanel, Salvatore Ferragamo, Tiffany & Co., Bulgari, and La Mer.

AARON COOK
Vice President |Technical Production & Design

Aaron has over 15 years of experience both technical lighting and technical audio. He honed his craft first as an operator then as a technical director in those specific fields, working both on corporate events, festivals, and concerts. Throughout his career, he has continued to add additional technical and administrative skills, and now leads a department of 10 technical and creative professionals at LDJ.

Aaron has deepened his knowledge and technical proficiency in both record and live video elements, livestream and virtual video, and has evaluated countless virtual platform options with a technical and programmatic eye that has helped LDJ’s clients’ choose the very best platform for their specific needs, which are typically quite different from one event to another.

MIKE BROWN
Vice President | Creative Director

Mike has over 20 years of professional experience working with world-class brands, agencies and design firms across media and entertainment, innovation and technology, fashion and retail. Mike also has experience consulting for architects and urban planners. His creative ethos sits at the crossover of storytelling and placemaking — driven by the power of design to reignite human connection. He leads the creative vision of strategic placemaking initiatives — leveraging strategy, narrative and design to inspire teams and move the work forward. Culture to commerce, I am inspired by the future and what could be.

Mike leads with future-forward thinking and placemaking initiatives that drive transformational growth and market value for LDJ’s clients. His strengths are holistic ideation at scale, creative leadership, business & brand acumen, communication & collaboration, team & relationship building.