Advisory Council Members
A carefully selected group of accomplished professionals whose experience, relationships, and strategic insight help guide the continued growth of TBAIMS Connect.
Tony Michaelides
• Music Industry Executive • Speaker • Broadcaster
Music Industry • Artist Development • Radio • Media • Strategic Partnerships
Veteran music industry executive, broadcaster, speaker, and mentor with decades of experience connecting artists, labels, media, and industry professionals.
Bernard Porter
Serial Entrepreneur • Executive Advisor • Business Strategist
Entrepreneurship • Business Strategy • Artist Development • Executive Leadership • Strategic Partnerships
Serial entrepreneur, executive advisor, investor, and business strategist with nearly four decades of experience building companies, developing leaders, and creating opportunities across multiple industries.
Susan Rybin
Actress • Talent Manager • Educator
Talent Development • Film & Television • Theater • Artist Mentorship
Award-winning actress, talent manager, and educator with over 50 years in the entertainment industry. Founder of Rybin Talent Management and Rybin Studio of Drama, Susan has guided generations of performers while building an acclaimed career in film, television, theater, and artist development.
Sophia Angelica
Singer-Songwriter • Actress • Global Speaker
Artist Development • Latin & Pop Music • Advocacy • Digital Media
Bilingual singer-songwriter, actress, and global speaker whose career bridges the U.S. and Latin music markets. Sophia combines music, storytelling, and advocacy to inspire audiences worldwide while championing authenticity, cultural connection, and the next generation of independent artists.
Lou Plaia
Music Executive • Artist Development • Marketing
Record Labels • Publishing • Artist Services • Career Strategy
Lou Plaia is a veteran music industry executive with more than three decades of experience in artist development, marketing, publishing, and career strategy. Throughout his career, he has held leadership positions with Atlantic Records, Lava Records, ReverbNation, and Sentric Music Publishing. Today, through Hot Rats Entertainment, Lou helps independent artists build sustainable music careers through strategic planning, distribution, publishing, marketing, and business development.
Joe Coleman
Entertainment Executive · Recording Artist · Producer
Songwriting · Talent Development · Live Performance · Media Production
Joe Coleman is a veteran entertainment professional whose career spans music, television, theater, live performance, songwriting, producing, and artist development. As both a recording and performing artist, Joe has built a career across R&B, soul, jazz, gospel, pop, and blues, while also working behind the scenes as a producer, executive, and talent developer. His experience across multiple areas of the entertainment industry gives him a valuable perspective on the creative and business challenges facing today's independent artists.