People

As Sales General Manager, Jeff Giblin supports the LA-based sales team and oversees the department, in addition to building customer relationships and generating leads.

Jeff joined AbelCine in 2011 as a Production Sales Assistant before being promoted to Retail Sales in 2012 and Account Sales in 2015. His previous experience includes Sales Representative at Alan Gordon Enterprises, where he worked with resellers of the company’s products. He has also worked in various production jobs including: DIT, Camera Assistant, Camera Operator, and Director of Photography.

Jeff has a B.A. in Media Communications from Asbury University, where he won an Ohio Valley Regional Student Production Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

As Rental Operations Manager, Matt Giblin oversees the daily functioning of Rental in LA, including technical and quality control processes. He develops procedures to benefit the client experience by increasing efficiency and accuracy.

Matt started with AbelCine in 2010 as a Rental Check In Agent. He held several positions in the department, before being promoted to Rental Operations Manager in 2016.

Prior to joining AbelCine, Matt worked as a freelance DP and 1st AC, the highlight of which was being an Assistant Camera in the Beijing 2008 Olympics. He continues to freelance as a DP, and has shot dozens of award winning shorts, a feature film, several web series, and a documentary on the Special Olympics World Games.

Matt holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications & Film from Asbury University in Kentucky.

Kari Hess heads up AbelCine’s Midwestern Production Sales from their regional location in Chicago. She is a former news photographer turned sales associate with 20 years of experience in the acquisition side of our industry.

Approaching her job from a solid base of practical experience, Kari has taught industry seminars and private classes on subjects ranging from “ENG Field Lighting” to “Choosing The Proper HD Camera Package” to groups small and large.

Kari is a graduate of the University of Iowa’s Communication, Broadcasting and Film program.

As Sales General Manager, Johnny Heatley oversees New York and Chicago sales teams and supports them in generating leads and building lasting customer relationships. He also helps customers take advantage of AbelCine’s wide range of services.

Johnny joined AbelCine in 2013, working in inventory and fulfillment out of the LA office. In 2015, he transferred to the company’s expanded Chicago location. During his time at AbelCine, Johnny has held a variety of positions including Order Administrator, Sales Agent, Customer Service Manager, Office Manager, and Sales Supervisor.

Previously, Johnny worked at Ron Robinson, Inc. as a warehouse manager and distribution manager for their Apothia fragrance line. He also has worked as a professional musician for DreamWorks Music, and in his spare time continues to write music for the entertainment industry.

As Service Manager, John Kelly oversees the operations of the NY Service Department including the repair, maintenance, and assembly of cine equipment.
 
John joined AbelCine in 2012 as a Rental Expeditor. He then became a technician and later Manager of Rental Returns in AbelCine’s busy New York rental operation. Previously, he worked as a cinematographer in NYC and Washington D.C. and in Rochester, NY as a technician for the Laboratory for Laser Energetics.
 
John earned his B.F.A. in Film Production at the Rochester Institute of Technology and has shot features, shorts, commercials and, most recently, children’s documentaries. He is currently an active contributor to the Kinograph Project.

As General Manager, Alex Kurze oversees the day-to-day activity of the New York rental department in order to offer the best customer experience possible.

Prior to joining the AbelCine rental team in 2011, Alex worked as a freelance producer. He continues to freelance as a creative and production consultant. His work has screened successfully at high profile festivals such as Cannes and Tribeca. Most notably, one project was qualified, yet not nominated, for an Academy Award in the Live Action Short Film category for 2014.

Alex holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and Video from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Although born and raised in Germany, Alex considers himself a true New Yorker at heart.

As Customer Service Manager, Erin Poole helps provide the best possible experience for AbelCine’s customers on the West coast and nationwide. She facilitates the most efficient solutions and answers to all questions that arise.

Erin joined AbelCine in 2014 as an Inside Sales Rep and has nearly a decade of experience working in the entertainment industry. She worked as a rental agent for six years at Radiant Images and Keslow Camera, and prior to that she freelanced as a 1^st AC and event photographer.

Erin majored in Astrophysics at the University of California, Santa Cruz and has a Certificate in Cinematography from the Los Angeles Film School.

As Customer Service Manager, Andrea Sunara helps provide the best possible experience for AbelCine’s customers on the East coast and nationwide. She finds the most the efficient solutions and answers to their questions and helps customers navigate all of AbelCine’s services. Andrea is an expert on the AbelCare flexible spending program.

Andrea has been with AbelCine since 2010 and is proud to have been a valued member of the company for most of her professional life. She began in the Accounting department, working on accounts payable and financial reporting. She then worked in AbelCine Finance Services for four years, helping clients acquire equipment through established programs and customized financing packages.

A native New Yorker, Andrea attended the Gabelli School of Business at Fordham University, where she majored in Finance, and minored in Economics and International Business.

As Integration Sales Manager, Jason Zapata supports the integration and engineering teams in their sales efforts and develops new business opportunities. He is also a product manager for the CameoGear accessory line, developed and manufactured by AbelCine. Jason is also an ISF certified monitor calibration technician.

Jason joined AbelCine in 2012 as the Service Manager and then became the Sales General Manager, both in New York. Previously, Jason was the Media Arts Equipment Cage Manager at the Art Institute of Philadelphia, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Digital Filmmaking and Video Production.

Jason worked as a videographer and editor for Personify Productions in Philadelphia, and freelanced as a Master Control Operator for both WWSI Telemundo and The Comcast Network. A documentary feature he worked on—The Anderson Monarchs, about the first all-black girls’ competitive soccer team in the USA—won the 2010 Sundance Institute Documentary Fund grant.