John Vassallo
John Vassallo has a passion for helping colleagues succeed and achieve their fullest potential. He has amassed production experience across a wide variety of sports during a 35-year career. JV specializes in production execution and drives results by providing detailed and honest feedback to production staff and talent.
As a Coordinating Producer at ESPN for over two decades, JV worked on projects covering college football, NCAA Championships (lacrosse, wrestling, and hockey), the Great Outdoor Games, Women’s World Cup, and the College Basketball Awards.
His largest project was the development and growth of The Home Depot College Football Awards from 1997 through 2020. During that time, he grew the franchise from a two hour, poorly attended show to over four hours of linear coverage, attended by over 500 people, and a production that included both a Red Carpet Show and a Post Show at The College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, GA.
JV enjoys backpacking and his travels have taken him across places like the Grand Canyon (Rim to Rim), Olympic National Park’s Hoh Rainforest, and Yellowstone National Park. These journeys have helped him learn what perseverance and working cooperatively mean to preparing a team and achieving goals that individuals and organizations may believe are out of reach.
Dave Miller
Dave Miller is a 9-time EMMY® award-winning television Executive with 40 years of experience producing and guiding media talent and production teams of varying abilities. At ESPN Dave produced SportsCenter, NFL Primetime, Baseball Tonight, College Football and Basketball studio shows, and College Basketball games. He was at the forefront of College Basketball cut-ins during the NCAA tournament, a model that is followed to this day during March Madness. As a Senior Coordinating Producer, he conceptualized coverage plans for College Football and Basketball, including the Armed Forces Classic and the Women’s Final Four, the College World Series, NCAA Championships, Boxing, the Great Outdoor Games, Scripps National Spelling Bee, and Horse Racing, including the Belmont Stakes and Breeders’ Cup.
More recently Dave spent 5 years at NESN overseeing News coverage for the Boston-based regional sports network. He has a wealth of experience leading play-by-play talent, analysts, reporters, studio hosts and a myriad of contributors. His ability to lead newcomers as well as the most-experienced talent give Dave keen insight into the challenges facing anyone looking to perfect their craft, along with the producers working with them.
Dave’s volunteer efforts include coaching High School Basketball and youth sports, as well as mentoring people at various levels. He is a patient teacher who provides detailed feedback to help you grow. Whether you’re attempting to break into the television industry, striving to enhance your performance, or simply looking to improve your presentation skills in front of an audience, Dave can provide the guidance you need to help you reach your goals.