Management team

The Leaders of Ekkobar have been developing technical solutions and businesses in the entertainment industry since the dot-com era. They have achieved successful exits for three of their ventures. Their notable accomplishment is scenechronize, which has become Hollywood's most widely used production management system for scripted TV shows and films. Their extensive experience has equipped them with the skills to effectively build, market, sell, and support small and large entertainment enterprises like HBO, Disney, CBS, NBC/Universal, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and many more. In addition to their experience building companies, the team has extensive Fortune 500 experience.

Led by Rhys Ryan, the CEO, he began his career with Fortune 500 tech giants like Microsoft, HP, and Tandem. His computer science and math degrees helped him create innovative computing techniques for cryptography, security, and early-day data science. Once the startup bug bit him, there was no looking back. His award-winning patented technology brought audio, video, telephony, natural language processing, and data science into entertainment. Rhys gained next-level growth cloud-computing experience while taking a break by working for Google and P&G. On the business side, he completed an advanced analytics degree at Harvard, attended two startup accelerator programs, and continues to work closely with his business advisors to perfect his skills.

Amber Dodson, Chief Experience Officer of Ekkobar, brings over 20 years of experience in entertainment, media, and startups to her role. She spearheaded the New Mexico Film Office as Director, achieving a landmark $3.3B in direct industry spend and elevating the state to international acclaim.  Amber's career began with documentaries in Bolivia and France, followed by impactful roles in marketing and TV at DISH Network and film production with industry veterans like Larry Kasanoff (Lightstorm Entertainment). Transitioning to tech startups, she played a pivotal role in scenechronize's success and market share; it was later acquired by Entertainment Partners. Amber holds a B.A. from Colorado College, and in her within Ekkobar is to leverage her special blend of business, fundraising, marketing and sales, grit, and love of visionary tech that helps us make better decisions and live better lives.  

our board & investors

  • Robert Mayer

    Investor and Board Member, with expertise in finance and business management. CEO of Great Lakes Glads.

  • Eli McGanal

    Investor, Advisor, and Strategist known for turning bold ideas into impactful opportunities. Chief Possibility Officer & partner at WeCreate Media, Founders Block, and Accountable-A-Buddy.

  • Isaac Nuriani

    Investor, Financial expert and leader with extensive experience in the investment and insurance industries. CEO of Augusta Precious Metals.

  • Devlyn Steele

    Investor, Financial expert with extensive experience in finance, AI, blockchain, startup mentoring and behavioral development.

  • Connor Boundy

    Investor, Startup Mentor, and Blockchain Advisor with extensive experience in business development and sales strategy. Co-Founder at Atlantis Capital, LLC.

  • Luke Pillarella

    Investor, with experience in privacy, data protection, compliance, AI risk management, and startup mentoring. Co-Founder at Atlantis Capital, LLC.

  • Joe Pillarella

    Investor, Global Supply Chain Advisor and Implementation Specialist with extensive experience in crisis management and sales operations planning. Co-Founder at Atlantis Capital, LLC.

our trusted advisors

  • Bob Nelson

    Bob is an experience CEO and entrepreneur with multiple successful ventures in his past. He has a background in finance, sales, and business management. He is also the Co-Founder & CEO at The Venture Mentoring Team.

  • Terence Bentley

    Terry spent most of his career successfully spearheading M&A deals. His has a background in finance, marketing, and startups. He’s a Founding Mentor, of The Venture Mentoring Team and teaches entrepreneurial classes at local schools.

  • Aaron Eisman

    Aaron Eisman is a social media veteran with 12+ years working for top sports brands like Turner Sports, Bleacher Report and the NFL . He currently runs Eisman Digital, where they work with startups, athletes and more. Aaron published a book titled "The Evolution of Sports Social Media" in 2021.

  • Gregg D. Fienberg

    Gregg is one of the top Film & TV Producers in Hollywood for such shows as True Blood, Deadwood, Twin Peaks, Big Little Lies and more. He also has a strong entrepreneurial spirit having founded CallPlease, a top call log management system for busy executives.

  • Kourtney Hahn

    Kourtney is a finance and strategy professional who brings expertise in strategy, financial modeling, data analysis, & M&A. Additionally, Kourtney provides transformational leadership to bring about operational changes to a company.

  • Dave Lawon

    Dave is an operationally focused, entrepreneurial CFO with demonstrated success in driving the financial strategy in small to mid-sized companies. His expertise includes developing strategic plans, financial models and best practices during high growth periods and economic downturns.

our close friends

  • Stew Lyons

    Film & TV Producer, background in entertainment, finance, and education.

  • Brian O'Leary

    Domestic & International Entertainment Law and Tax, background in finance and legal.

  • Adrian Pruett

    Producer, background in production and cinematography.

core principals of data

When we started the company, we thought long and hard about data and how best to find value lurking within. Often, data analytic companies think of all data as being equal, but it is not. A deck of cards are all equal until you build a house. The same is true for social media. The initial post holds a different value than a response deep down into the conversation. It’s like adding the ‘telephone game’ to the house of cards. Rhys and his fellow founders knew they need a set of guiding data principles to bring their dream to reality.

  1. Ingest as close to 100% of the data as possible, understanding only occurs at the population level;

  2. Rebuild the conversation as a three-dimensional network in order to understand the relationships and value; and

  3. Value comes from the question or better put, “it is difficult to answer, when one does not understand the question,” Ambassador Spock from STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME

“Authenticity in AI” ensures that AI-generated insights, interactions, and predictions are genuine, truthful, and reflect a true representation of the information or people they portray, free from human bias and hallucinations. At Ekkobar, this concept is at the core of our mission.

the foundation of ‘ekko’

At its core, an echo isn’t just a sound bouncing back—it’s a reflection of something that was sent out, often distorted, amplified, or reshaped by its environment. In today’s digital world, every post, comment, or conversation is an Ekko (echo)—reverberating through platforms, influencing perceptions, and shaping narratives far beyond their original context.

Ekkobar doesn’t just listen to these cyber-sonic Ekkos—it provides a powerful decision framework, D.N.A.: Discover challenges or opportunities, Navigate the variables, and Act to protect or grow your legacy or dynasty.

By uncovering the signals hidden within the noise, we empower you to become a Superhuman Decision-Maker—confident, sharp, and unstoppable. Armed with clarity and foresight, you’ll not only hear the echoes—you’ll understand what they mean, where they lead, and how to shape them to your advantage.