James Hacker

About James Hacker

Being part of music, media, and live events, helping artists put on memorable performances, and turning audio/visual ideas into quality productions that can be shared with others all interest me deeply. The field of Event Production has brought so many opportunities my way: Sound Engineering for live concerts and events, working as a Mixing or Mastering Engineer in a recording studio, Broadcasting and Podcasting, doing Foley and ADR for videos, Voiceover, and even DJing. I’m very excited about my career opportunities and I’m encouraged by the potential that Event Production presents to me. Prior to my production career my educational background was in Conservation Biology, Environmental Studies, and Sustainable Business Practices. That allowed me to fill a variety of roles and gain experience in the field of sustainability. I’ve worked for several different organizations on addressing sustainability in Healthcare, Sports & Entertainment, and Food & Beverage, and I even had the opportunity to work with the City of Milwaukee on several projects. My goal in pursuing future careers in the field of Sustainability would be to encourage business practices and lifestyles that promote sustainability and have a positive impact on society and the environment. Whether it be in Production or Sustainability, at the end of the day I want to know I had a positive impact on people and made a difference, and have others agree.

Experience

1. Sound & Lighting Technician

   Potawatomi Casino Hotel

   Mar 2024 — Present · Milwaukee, WI, US

   Manage Rock & Brews concerts, setup and oversight of DJ events, oversight of broadcasting/streaming/recording in the Sportsbook Studio, audio engineering for in arena and live broadcasting of Anthony Pettis Fighting Circuit (APFC) MMA events via UFC Fight Card, and various pop-up events- Review, analyze, and determine the design, implementation, and operation of audio, video and lighting for a variety of entertainment and property needs, including but not limited to: lighting design, rigging, programing, audio playback, mixing and sound balancing, LED & video wall programing- Configure optimal signal flow of audio & video systems including multiple digital formats and conversions, broadcast/press feeds, delay systems, complex input schedules, & monitoring systems- Coordinate systems needed for events or shows; set up, operate, and strike equipment as needed- Collaborating with other departments as needed to ensure the success of events

Education

• Portland Community College

  Transfer Prep, Environmental Sciences and Sustainable Business Practices

  2002 — 2004

• Milwaukee Area Technical College

  Associate's degree, Audio Production and Engineering, and Music Occupations

• University of Wisconsin-Madison

  Certificate, Environmental Studies

  2004 — 2007

• University of Wisconsin-Madison

  Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Biological Aspects of Conservation

  2004 — 2007