Our Management

Jeremiah “Jere” Harris

Chairman & CEO

Jere Harris, PRG’s Chairman and CEO, has been active in Broadway theatre production since 1970, with family ties to the theatre industry that extend back four generations. His great grandfather was a theatre manager in England, and his grandfather was a company manager for legendary producer/director George Abbott. Jere’s father, Joseph P. Harris, is a four-time Tony award-winning producer of more than 200 Broadway shows, including Chicago, Dancing at Lughnasa, and Sweet Charity. Jere’s mother, Geraldine, was a stage actress who performed in such renowned musicals as Guys and Dolls and Silk Stockings.

Jere began his theatre career at age 16, working at a Broadway scenic shop. Less than a decade later, he was named production manager for Theatre Now, the largest theatrical management company during the 1970s and 1980s.

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John Hovis

President & Chief Operating Officer

As President and COO, John is responsible for all PRG field operations as well as Asset Management, IT and Finance infrastructure, and Research & Development. John held this at PRG from 2000 to 2003.  He also led PRG’s merger integration with VLPS (Vari-Lite Production Services) in 2005.

Prior to joining PRG, John served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Caliber Collision Centers, Chief Operating Officer of Rail America, Chief Operating Officer of Railtex, and Vice President of Operations for Burlington Northern Santa Fe.

John will be based in PRG’s Dallas, Texas office.

Nicole Scano-Schwiebert

Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer

Nicole joined PRG in 1992 and has held many positions during her tenure, including Director of Administrative Operations, Vice President of Asset Management and Vice President of Human Resources.  In her role as Chief Administrative Officer, she works with the executive team to lead PRG operations around the globe.  In addition, she continues to be responsible for Human Resources.

Nicole holds a bachelor of science degree in economics and statistics from Rutgers University.

Scott Hansen

Chief Executive Officer
Corporate and Trade Show, TV & Film, North America 

As CEO, Corporate and Trade Show, TV & Film, Scott is responsible for the automotive, corporate and trade show, and television and film markets in North America, as well as global coordination of our efforts in these markets. Scott oversees operations in Orlando, Atlanta, Washington DC, Toronto, Detroit, Chicago, DeKalb, Denver, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. These operations integrate the lighting, audio, video, LED and scenic disciplines together with PRG’s technical resources to provide a full-service solution to clients.

Since joining PRG in May 1997, Scott has been involved in both financial and operational management of the company. He performed essential financial roles including Controller and Chief Financial Officer.

Scott received a BS in Accounting from the University at Albany in New York and is a Certified Public Accountant. He joined PRG from the professional services firm Ernst & Young.

Stephan Paridaen

Chief Executive Officer
Europe, Middle East, Africa

Stephan Paridaen oversees PRG’s operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He is also responsible for the overall video strategy.

Prior to joining PRG, Stephan served as Division President of Media & Entertainment at Barco, an international leading professional display solutions provider.  While there, he led the Digital Cinema markets and created the LED display division, pioneering the convergence of video and lighting in the entertainment industry.

Stephan has a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and a Master’s degree in Economics. He also holds an MBA from the Brussels University and has successfully concluded the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

John Swain

Chief Executive Officer, Asia Pacific

As CEO, Asia Pacific and Australia, John is responsible for PRG’s activities in Asia-Pacific, throughout the region including key locations in Japan, Shanghai and Australia.

John began his career in 1984 as a founding partner in a successful design and fabrication studio serving the film and television industry.  He also worked in a variety of roles in regional and North American touring theater productions.  In the 1990’s, John worked for NBC’s Studio 8H as an electrics stagehand for Saturday Night Live and managed shop operations for a New York-based visual merchandising studio focused on retail, corporate events and themed environments.

John joined PRG’s Scenic Technologies division in 1998 where he was responsible for a number of major projects including the construction of the Kyoto, Umi and Jiyuu theaters in Japan; The Rose Theater and The Allen Room for Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York; and Korea’s first-ever musical theater, the Charlotte Theater in Seoul.  John also led teams responsible for scenic and motion control elements for a number of live productions internationally, including Aladdin and Steps in Time for Disney and The Phantom of the Opera and Cats for Shiki Theatre Company in Japan, as well as projects in Barcelona, Seoul, Berlin and many other cities worldwide.

Darren DeVerna

Chief Executive Officer, Theatre

Based in New York, Darren DeVerna is responsible for PRG’s global theatrical division, which includes Broadway and West End shows as well as touring theatrical productions. He also oversees the audio, video and lighting businesses in the northeast US.

Like many of PRG’s top executives, Darren grew up in the entertainment industry. He began his career working on Broadway and television productions in the 1970s.

Robert Manners

Executive Vice President and General Counsel

As PRG’s Executive Vice President of Business Affairs and General Counsel, Bob oversees all of the company’s legal affairs and has had an active role in all of the company’s acquisitions and capital transactions.

Prior to joining PRG in 1997, Bob served as a partner at the law firm of Pepe & Hazard LLP in Hartford, Connecticut, and as an attorney at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in New York City.

Bob received his JD from Columbia University Law School, an LLM in Taxation from New York University School of Law, and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania.