Staff
Gary Berg / Founder and CEO
Education/Background:
Gary was born in Menomonie, Wisconsin, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire with a B.A. Degree in English and from Truman State University with an M.A. Degree in Higher Education Administration. He held college administration positions at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls, the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay, Hamline University Law School, and the College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University.
Gary worked as the personal manager of “The Memories” prior to starting G. L. Berg Entertainment, Performing Artists & Speakers in 1989. He has had the opportunity to do every job in the company at some time, and has 25 years of experience working in the entertainment industry. He works with corporate, fair, college and theater clients in providing talent & performances. He also works in the area of finding and developing performers.
What Gary likes best about live performances:
“It is real and when it works the connection between the performer and the audience creates a wonderful and unique experience. Watching people gather and enjoy themselves and share that experience is something truly special and valuable and I love that part of this business.”
Hobbies and Interests?
“I love to watch, play, and coach basketball. Other interests include traveling, following many sports, movies, and reading.”
Click here to view the feature article on Gary Berg, by Minnesota Meetings + Events Magazine [PDF Format]
Tim Stevens / Senior Talent Consultant
Education/Background:
Tim, like Gary, was also born in Menomonie, Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Stout with a B.S. Degree in General Business Administration. He performed with “The Memories” as a full-time entertainer from 1979-1995 and still performs many shows with The Memories each year.
Tim has 33 years of experience in the entertainment industry – as a performer since 1972 and as an agent since 1995. Tim heads G. L. Berg’s national fair and festival division and also works closely with selected Midwestern corporate and concert clients and operates G. L. Berg’s Wisconsin office.
What Tim likes best about live performances:
“I like the energy and spontaneity that can happen during a live performance. It’s fun to attend one of our acts’ shows…and see how they respond to their audience (and vice-versa). That is something that can only happen at a ‘live’ show.”
Hobbies and Interests?
Tim enjoys golfing and attending music events and concerts with family and friends. He is also an active community volunteer working on various fundraising events with United Cerebral Palsy (including co-hosting their annual Telethon for many years), working with the Menomonie High School Band Boosters for four years, and having helped coach his nephew’s softball and basketball teams.
Ryan Meints / Talent Consultant
Education/Background:
Ryan grew up in Clara City, MN and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing from St. Cloud State University. Throughout his undergraduate career, Ryan was actively involved in the University Program Board at SCSU and was involved in the implementation of numerous events including national concerts, late-night programs, films, and festivals. While an undergrad student, Ryan had the opportunity to live in Los Angeles, CA for two summers interning with several major industry businesses (Sony Music, Sharon Osbourne Management, and The Firm).
Ryan was selected as a Graduate Assistant/Program Adviser for the University Program Board while pursing his Masters in Business Administration, which he completed in 2007.
Ryan works with colleges, libraries, arts organizations, K-12, and corporate clients in providing performing artists, entertainment and speakers. He also works with discovering and developing performers.
What Ryan likes best about live performances:
“There is nothing quite like a live performance. It is an instance in life that can never be duplicated. The emotion and sensations you get from participating in a great performance stay with you for a lifetime. I have always wanted to be one of those involved in the creation of these events, as they really bring people together to simply have fun.”
Hobbies and Interests?
Ryan enjoys spending time with wife and son. He also enjoys traveling, spending time at the lake, and watching movies.
Nate Berg / Talent Consultant
Education/Background:
Gary’s son, Nate Berg, grew up with the company in St. Cloud, MN until he graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2008 with a BA in Spanish and Economics. Always feeling like a part of the G. L. Berg family and knowing many of the staff, performers, and the business for the majority of his life, he is very excited to be taking on a role with the company in a much larger capacity helping clients get the right entertainment for their event.
What Nate likes best about live performances:
“I like the uniqueness of each show. You may have a general idea of what will happen, but with each venue and audience to interact with being different, anything can happen in any show making it very exciting. There are a lot of acts I have seen fifty times and still love every show.”
Hobbies and Interests?
When Nate isn’t using his free time traveling or following the Minnesota Twins or Green Bay Packers, he loves spending time with his friends and family and taking advantage of the Minnesota summers when possible.
Lauri Neubert / National-Level Talent Buyer/Producer
Education/Background:
Lauri was born in Langdon, North Dakota (only five miles from the Canadian border) and graduated from Minnesota State University – Mankato with majors in Business and Sociology/Corrections. She works with a Minneapolis advertising agency, and previously worked at a Minnesota casino as their entertainment director and buyer.
Lauri has 15 years of experience in the entertainment industry having bought national-level entertainment for casinos, fairs, festivals, theme parks, theaters, and corporate events. Lauri also has vast experience in total event planning with additional expertise of on-site event management.
What Lauri likes best about live performances:
“The emotion(s) that music can evoke. As a producer, it’s watching from behind the scenes, seeing and hearing the audience’s response to the music and event, and being a small part of the reason they are having so much fun.”
Hobbies and Interests?
Lauri enjoys gardening, reading, and travel. She often volunteers by hanging out with elderly folks – helping out wherever she can.
Scott Chabot / Talent Consultant
Education/Background:
Scott grew up in Blaine, Minnesota, started playing piano at the age of 7, and drums at the age of 10. He graduated from Totino Grace High School, where he was captain of the school’s first ever drum line program, president of the band, and performed with the show choir and jazz ensemble. In his senior year he auditioned and won a chair with the Twin Cities All-Metro Jazz Ensemble at the U of M.
Scott was awarded the prestigious David Swenson Scholarship for Percussion at St. Cloud State University. After graduating from college, Scott joined the George Maurer Group and has performed with them for nearly ten years.
What Scott likes best about live performances:
“Planning an event is challenging because there are so many pieces that need to work in harmony. Most of my clients have never planned a large-scale event before and are learning about the entertainment market in particular for the first time. I have a unique responsibility to make sure that clients understand their options and to suggest entertainment that will fit the event and be within their budget. This is something that G. L. Berg Entertainment has done exceptionally well for nearly two decades and I am proud to be a part of it!”
Hobbies and Interests?
Scott spends every available moment with his wife Kathy and their two children. He plays the drums regularly at his local church and enjoys listening to Twins baseball on the radio while traveling between performances.
Lisa Marie Furth / Talent Consultant
Education/Background:
Lisa Marie Furth, an accomplished dancer, singer, and choreographer/producer, received her B.A. in Theater Arts, Acting/Directing, at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She founded her own production company, Hey Sugar! Productions in 2001, which produces high-energy Las Vegas-style shows throughout the Twin Cities. Currently, Lisa Marie runs the performing groups Belladiva, Divas Through the Decades, and Coyote Wild. She also enjoys teaching aerobics and can best be described as a dynamic performer with an incredible drive to succeed.
What Lisa Marie likes best about live performances:
“What I like best about live performances is making people feel something. Whether it’s making someone laugh, smile, cry, or feel inspired passion – I love it all! Music transcends and comedy lifts you up. The combination of both is electrifying and inspiring!”
Hobbies and Interests?
Lisa Marie’s hobbies include traveling anywhere she’s never been, but especially warm places during Minnesota winters! She loves boating and water sports, reading, movies, and she LOVES going out to dinner. She has also been an aerobics trainer for 21 years and she loves teaching.
Core Value Consulting / Marketing & Finance Consultant
Education/Background:
As the owner of Core Value Consulting, a firm specializing in providing practical, business-related services to nonprofit and for profit organizations, Renae Shields brings a long history of experience to her work. Renae has a Business Education Teaching Degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato. In addition to teaching at the secondary and post-secondary level, her career experience includes owning three businesses, serving as economic development director for a private foundation, and working for a large consulting firm to nonprofits. Her firm provides training, technical assistance, and outsourcing services in the areas of in marketing, finance, and operations. She also facilitates strategic and business planning services and is a writer and presenter on business topics to state and national organizations. Renae started working with G. L. Berg over a decade ago and they remain one of her largest clients today.