Our people are our best asset

Rick Warren

The Boss, aka Managing Partner and CEO


Rick identified a need in the market place to create a client-focused boutique agency, that puts the customer and service first. Getting back to basics is Rick’s style – delivering high quality content, on time and returning value to both his studio and airline partners. He is committed to investing in the right people and the right technology, with the vision of streamlining process and enhancing the customer experience. The Lifetime Achievement Award winner was previously President and Managing Partner of Post Modern Group for 17 years.

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker

Phone: 949-577-9761

Email Me

Rick Warren, Managing Partner, West Entertainment

Management

Kate Groth

Kate is passionate about airlines and entertainment, and is leading the fly and cruise teams with the same high level of enthusiasm that you all know and love. She has much success in building CSP businesses while also having the privilege of working with a global network of clients. With an emphasis on delivering content strategies on brand and in style, she builds successful teams that deliver on promises.

“Don’t follow the crowd, let the crowd follow you.” — Margaret Thatcher

Phone: 949-577-9762

Email Me

Kate K Groth

President

Asif Khan

Asif brings over 25 years of international experience in media and IFEC to West and our clients. His employers and clients have included some of the most prominent media and airline brands in Asia and the Middle East including Sony Entertainment Television, Cathay Pacific, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Etihad Airways. Having worked for both Content Service Providers and airlines, Asif is uniquely positioned to see the big IFEC picture from all angles.

"Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game" - Babe Ruth

Email Me

Asif Khan

Senior Vice President, Entertainment

Eric Silverstein

Industry veteran Eric brings high energy leadership skills and operational excellence, doubled down with a clear focus on customer results. Eric manages West’s Operational and Technical departments – as well as working with airlines to develop their social media strategies across multiple platforms. Eric is leading the development of WE – West’s Workflow Engine. Previously, Eric led the U.S. expansion of the Atlas Air group, managing all partnerships and relationships.

“The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man’s determination.” - Tommy Lasorda

Phone: 949-577-9768

Email Me

Eric Silverstein

VP, Operations and Technology

Flavia Verano

Flavia leads sales at West Fly with a sunny smile and can-do attitude. She has extensive knowledge of the IFEC sector having successfully managed a diverse range of airline accounts globally over the past 15 years. With a deep passion for the industry, Flavia is dedicated to putting clients first by delivering unbeatable value, content and service. Want a fresh look at your IFEC? Flavia's ready to help!

"To infinity and beyond!" - Buzz Lightyear

Email Me

Flavia Verano

VP, Strategic Development

Shafin Virji

His title says it all – well known in the IFE industry, Shafin brings over 14 years’ experience in his roles as a customer service representative and Director of Lab Services. His biggest clients have included 20th Century FOX, Captive Entertainment, Jaguar and Skeye. Taking what he has learned in the past, he is focused on improving the process and delivery, thriving on finding efficient ways to provide the best customer service to his clients. An all-round good guy – he believes teamwork and open communication are the keys to success.

“A customer is the most important visitor on our premises, he is not dependent on us. We are dependent on him. He is not an interruption in our work. He is the purpose of it. He is not an outsider in our business. He is part of it. We are not doing him a favor by serving him. He is doing us a favor by giving us an opportunity to do so.”   – Mahatma Gandhi

Phone: 949-577-9765
Mobile: 310-245-7607

Email Me

Shafin Virji

VP, Lab Services

Lee Casey

Lee has an impeccable reputation in the IFE industry and brings with her a wealth of close entertainment and aviation relationships. She provides expert advice to the team – from Sales and Service to Technical and HR – and she keeps our team on track and smiling every day. She received APEX’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014, which means she is seasoned but not too seasoned to be our very own Special Advisor!

“Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. That can be your greatest strength” - Sara Blakely

Phone: 949.577.9760

Email Me

Lee Casey

Advisor

Lindsay Arellano

Lindsay understands the importance of the relationship between the airline and their CSP. She is an expert at understanding both the operational and programming aspects of an account, delivering bespoke IFE strategies within the constraints of complex IFE systems. Lindsay has been in the industry for 12 years, and has developed a deep level of trust and respect with distributors, hardware vendors and airlines alike. She knows that her clients’ success is paramount to her success.

“You are the artist of your own life. Don’t hand the paintbrush to anyone else.”

Phone: 949-577-9763

Email Me

Lindsay Arellano

Senior Account Director

Ayesha Virji

Ayesha has spent the last 8 years as a client service manager in the maritime industry. She sailed the seven seas – representing Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, and Crystal Cruises. With a passion for her entertainment and clients – she is a perfect fit for both our cruise and fly divisions.

“Working hard for something we don't care about is called stress: Working hard for something we love is called passion.” - Simon Sinek

Phone: 949-577-9766

Email Me

Ayesha Virji

Client Success Director

Alfy Veretto

Following a life long passion for entertainment, Alfy has created a unique niche in the airline and entertainment industries. Alfy’s ability to bring together successful relationships between the entertainment Industry and airline’s inflight entertainment precedes him. He is known for his award winning accomplishments at both Frontier and Virgin America. He has also served as president of APEX.

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." - Ferris Bueller

Phone: 619-829-0741

Email Me

Alfy Veretto

Strategic Innovator

Tony Blokdyk

Tony formerly of Post Modern Edit, to the role of Senior Director, Client Relationship. In his role Tony will bring his twenty (20) years of lab operations, digital asset management and client services experience to West Entertainment. His biggest client that he has been handling for 20 years is Warner Brothers.

He will work closely with Shafin Virji, West’s Legendary VP of Lab Services, overseeing select West Entertainment distributor clients. “Tony is well known in the industry. His even-tempered nature combined with his expert knowledge of all aspects of the job make him an ideal fit to handle some of West’s esteemed clients,” said Rick Warren, Managing Partner at West Entertainment.

"There is nothing impossible to they who will try."
— Alexander the Great

Email Me

Tony Blokdyk

Senior Director, Client Relationships

Fly

Anne Howard

Annie is an expert in curating and promoting global films, TV, and podcasts for airlines worldwide. With over 15 years of experience in the inflight entertainment industry, Annie has collaborated with leading airlines such as Emirates, Etihad, Cathay Pacific, and many more. Specializing in content strategy, programming, and licensing, she is passionate about bringing diverse and captivating content to the skies, ensuring an exceptional inflight entertainment experience for travelers worldwide.

"Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!" Audrey Hepburn

Email Me

Anne Howard

Director of Programming

Nuha Shouga

Nuha is a dedicated professional with exemplary Administrative, Communication, Customer Service and IFE Experience with an extensive background in Content Management and Metadata Management. She has over 25 years of experience in the Inflight Entertainment Industry, previously working at AEI Inflight, Sony TransCom, Rockwell Collins and Thales Avionics.  Nuha has ninja-like attention to detail, is a team player and is always willing to support at all levels of the business.

“Nothing is Impossible, the word itself says “I’m Possible”!  -Audrey Hepburn

Phone: 949-577-9774

Email Me

Nuha Shouga

Metadata Manager

Daniel Marquez

Daniel is a California native who enjoys soaking up the sun, being creative, and working in the IFE Industry. Efficiently interacting with Distributors, Airlines, and Hardware Vendors, his industry knowledge continues to grow. As an ambitious and driven Media Coordinator, Daniel is eager to do a job well done.

“Always believe that the impossible is possible” – Selena Quintanilla-Perez

Email Me

Daniel Marquez

Media Coordinator

Jane Chapman

Jane brings over 15 years of experience in Inflight Entertainment and media distribution to her role, most recently serving as Manager of Content Distribution at Warner Bros. Media and HBO. 
 
With a proven track record in account management and content distribution across international markets, Jane possesses a deep understanding of the IFEC industry. She will collaborate with West Entertainment's Account Management, Technical, and Operations teams to streamline media deliveries, implement innovative processes, and ensure a smooth transition to the company's We by West 2.0 portal. 

Email Me

Jane Chapman

Media Operations Manager

Fly UAE

Sandy Demerjian

Sandy is a dream catcher. She has 17 years of experience in various facets of media including broadcast, television, movie production and IFE in the international market. An excellent communicator and leader, with a track record of 1st class account management and consistently exceeding expectations, delivering exceptional quality assurance and boosting efficiency.   She is a multi-skilled professional who has a creative mindset,       talkative personality and a hands on approach to problem solving.

“Being a positive in a negative situation is not naïve. Its leadership.”

Mobile: +97154707075

Email Me

Sandy Demerjian

Account Director

Sarah Hammoud

Sarah is an ambitious person who has worked previously in the Inflight Entertainment domain as a programming executive. Her strength lies on the passion, time and energy she gives for anything she does.

“One that would have the fruit must climb the tree.” - Thomas Fuller

Phone: +971501990608

Email Me

Sarah Hammoud

Metadata Coordinator

Tanvir Chatha

With over 16 years of experience in the IFE industry, Tanvir brings a wealth of experience on all IFE technical aspects – from metadata and process management to quality control, encoding, encryption, and delivery. He is responsible for driving the implementation of new systems and infrastructure to support our operations in the Middle East.

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” (Colin Powell)

Email Me

Tanvir Chatha

Director, Operations & Tech Services

Create

Jesse Leiva

Jesse brings over 20 years of Inflight Entertainment experience with expertise in VOD content management, Subtitle Authoring, CDN, End-to-end Streaming, DRM, and playback. Knowledge of Cloud Solutions to deliver a more cost efficient way to streamline workflows to save costs across the board. Over the years he has witnessed the changing demands of the industry, and knows what is needed to stay competitive in the market place. Keeping an open mind and the ability to continue to learn new technologies has helped him grow and evolve in this ever changing world of information.

“Your future is whatever you make it, make it a good one.” - Emmett "Doc" Brown

Phone: 949-577-9767

Email Me

Jesse Leiva

Director of Content Development

Hugo Hernandez

Hugo is an expert Quality Control operator and Data Wrangler. He brings over 15-years of dedicated in-flight entertainment technical experience to the team. A skilled VOD operator with a keen eye for QC, with experience spanning from video tapes, DVDs and CDs duplication, to working with all digital specifications with Minerva, Digital Rapids, Premier and Selenio Flex systems. His extensive knowledge on the digital process means that you are always in the best of hands.

Phone: 949.577.9280

Email Me

Hugo Hernandez

Data Wrangler

Ryan Warren

Years of customer service blended with nearly a decade of IFE experience make Account Management the perfect role for Ryan. A positive mindset and dedication to his clients motivate him to keep the “custom” in customer service. Every day at his desk provides opportunities to satisfy his professional commitment to client success and personal commitment to constant mental growth.

“This is a wonderful day. I’ve never seen this one before.” – Maya Angelou

Email Me

Ryan Warren

Account Manager

Jon Faulkner

With over 35 years of experience in production and post production and 20 of those years spent in the Inflight Entertainment Industry Jon brings a unique blend of skills to bare at West. An excellent communicator whose creativity and expertise shine in all types of productions whether it be shooting, editing or producing Jon is an adept craftsman. A diplomatic mediator focused on relationship building and teamwork makes Jon a valuable member of the West production and editing crew.

“Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it.”  -George Halas

Phone: 949-577-9760

Email Me

Jon Faulkner

Creative Media Specialist

Jose Haro

Jose has been in the IFE industry for over 10 years, starting his career as a tape operator before moving up to the position of data manager.

"What matters in life is not what happens to you, but what you remember and how you remember it.” - Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Email Me

Jose Haro

Data Wrangler

James Mannion

James has over 20 years of experience in audio engineering and production. He has worked for Rick Warren for the better part of two decades and can attest that there is no better place or person to work for than West Entertainment.

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore is not an act but a habit” - Aristotle

Email Me

James Mannion

Audio Engineer

Mannie Heng

Mannie loves working in the Entertainment Industry and began her career in 1998 as a Camera Operator for the Newscast, continuing to work in the industry ever since.

“Say only what is true and useful… Only I can change my life. I control my own destiny….” - Mannie

Email Me

Mannie Heng

Quality Control Specialist

Nick Morales

Nick has been in the industry for 10 years, always in IFE Production.

"Some people say there's nothing new under the sun. I still think that there's room to create, you know. And intuition doesn't necessarily come from under this sun. It comes from within.” - Pharrell Williams

Email Me

Nick Morales

Data Wrangler

Jacob Blokdyk

Jacob has over 2 years of experience in IFE, beginning his career as a Quality Control Specialist before advancing to the position of Customer Service Support Assistant. As a newcomber to the industry, Jacob is grateful to be mentored by a group of industry veterans who guide him through the intricacies of this business.

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." - Winston Churchill

Email Me

Jacob Blokdyk

Client Support Specialist

Zach Costales

Although new to the inflight entertainment industry, Zach brings experience in account services and lab support. He thrives on stepping out of his comfort zone, viewing challenges as opportunities for growth and development.

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see." Henry David Thoreau

Email Me

Zach Costales

Client Service Representative

Gabriel Gomez

With an affinity for post-production and over a decade of experience in the IFE industry, Gabriel draws on this technical knowledge and fine attention to detail to ensure the highest quality product is delivered to our customers every cycle.

“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” – Tim Notke

Email Me

Gabriel Gomez

Quality Control Specialist

Admin

Mike Ferreira

Over a decade of experience in enterprise IT, systems administration, and support Mike is always the go to guy for our technical solutions at West Entertainment. Even with a new baby at home he always seems to be available for staff and customers. Mike's diverse technical skill set and personal commitment position him well to lead our IT team.

“The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third, common sense." - Thomas A. Edison

Phone: 949-577-9771

Email Me

Mike Ferreira

IT Director

Martin Wright

With 30 years as a professional in the production and post production industry Martin offers expertise in broadcast technologies and in-flight entertainment, online post production, staff education, production lab management, as well as studio and facility design. He is our jack of all trades – he is focused on getting us all up to speed and up and running.

"Keep learning. You don’t know what you don’t know."

Phone: 949-577-9764

Email Me

Martin Wright

VP of Operations

Being a part of a team that supports and encourages you is one of the many highlights of working at West Entertainment. The commitment to efficiency and client satisfaction is a daily inspiration for me and is something we are all proud of.

Daniel Marquez – Media Coordinator at West Entertainment