Emily Zertuche is a seasoned tourism and marketing professional with nearly a decade of experience in the industry. As Chief Marketing Officer at Visit Corpus Christi, she leads the development and execution of innovative marketing and communications strategies that position Corpus Christi as the Gulf Coast Capital, celebrated for its coastal charm and outdoor recreational experiences.

A recognized leader in the field, she has been nationally honored as one of eTourism Summit’s “Emerging Tourism Stars” and was named a “30 Under 30” by Destinations International. She also holds the Certified Tourism Executive designation from the Texas Travel Association and was awarded the 2021 “Corpus Christi’s Under 40” recognition for her contributions to the community and industry.

Previously, she served as Interim Film and Music Commissioner, where she spearheaded Corpus Christi’s designation as a certified Texas Music Friendly Community, solidifying its place on the map as a hub for music and culture. Additionally, as Vice President of Marketing, she launched a transformative three-year strategic plan that introduced a bold new destination brand.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, she is passionate about community-building and the arts, often engaging with local initiatives that elevate creative industries. When she’s not leading groundbreaking campaigns, she enjoys crafting small-batch ice cream and watching sci-fi films with her husband and two sons.

Alyssa Mason is driven by a passion to improve her hometown for the benefit of future generations. She was appointed Executive Director in 2018 and has grown the organization to a $2.7 million budget, 11-person office and an 9-person clean team. She has facilitated over $100 million in development in Downtown Corpus Christi, a highly regarded Mural Program and multiple public improvement projects. She holds an MPA (2012) and BBA (2010) from Texas A&M Corpus Christi, is a Certified Economic Developer (IEDC, 2021) and Economic Development Finance Professional (NDC, 2016). Prior to leading the DMD, Alyssa worked for the City of Corpus Christi in various development roles. In 2022, she was recognized as an Emerging Leader by the International Downtown Association.

Marisol Ramirez is a seasoned marketing professional with over a decade of experience. She is currently the Director of Marketing at CSA Marketing Group, where she expertly manages advertising strategies and public relations for premier entertainment venues, Concrete Street Amphitheater and Brewster Street Icehouse. Her team is responsible for driving audience engagement across digital platforms and partnership development. Marisol’s innovative marketing efforts have garnered her multiple international awards, distinguishing her as a leader in creating impactful campaigns that resonate globally. Passionate about live music both professionally and personally, she believes in its power to unite people. Marisol has recently begun lending her voice and support to music legislation and protecting artists’ rights as a passion project during her downtime. Her expertise and dedication to music make her a respected voice in the industry, committed to enhancing the live music experience for artists and fans alike.

Casey Lain has been a driving force in the live music scene of South Texas since 1998, when he began booking acts at the Executive Surf Club. Over the years, he has worked with iconic Texas country artists like Randy Rogers and Robert Earl Keen, as well as national legends such as Dick Dale and Arlo Guthrie. His expertise in concert production expanded in 2003 when he took on booking duties at Concrete Street Amphitheater, bringing in artists like Willie Nelson, A Perfect Circle, and BB King.

In 2005, Lain co-founded and launched House of Rock, a premier live music venue in Corpus Christi. Under his leadership, the venue has hosted an eclectic mix of national and local talent, including G. Love & Special Sauce, Stick Figure, and Steve Earle. He later helped establish Brewster Street Icehouse’s "Texas Music Thursday Concert Series" and founded CL Presents, a concert production company that has organized major festivals and events in the region including notable festivals such as Fieast De La Flor and Dia De Los Muertos Street Festival.

A graduate of Leadership Corpus Christi, Lain remains a key figure in the local music industry, serving on the Downtown Management District board and spearheading initiatives to grow the Coastal Bend music scene.

A Massachusetts native, Jonathan Howorth relocated to Corpus Christi, TX in 2022 as the Marketing & Sales Manager at American Bank Center under Oak View Group. With a passion for music, and a four-year career in live entertainment, Jonathan has worked on over 150 shows with top promoters. He collaborates with the booking team, box office, and community organizations to deliver major concerts, comedians, and Broadway shows, ensuring memorable experiences and event success.

Paul Bissell is the creator and director of the Sound Recording Technology (SRT) program at Del Mar College. He is the owner of the publishing and music production studio, Go Fish Music. Before moving into education full time, he was a freelance musician in Texas and Florida.

Tom Vale learned music licensing in Los Angeles, first as a music supervisor on independent films, and later working for the music supervisors of HBO’s show Six Feet Under. After moving to Austin in 2008, he founded Frog Music Licensing, a company connecting local independent musicians with film, TV and advertising placement opportunities. In 2018 he joined forces with Static West to form the new music licensing, composition, & supervision company Central Standard. 

In addition to serving on the board of the local music patronage organization Sonic Guild, he’s spoken on panels at SXSW, the Austin Television Festival (ATX Fest) and for the Austin Music Foundation. He recently served as music supervisor for all four seasons of the popular CW TV show Walker, and is currently at work music supervising two independent feature films. He lives in Austin with his wife and kids and dog Ruthie.

Pablo Schmitt was born in Argentina and immigrated to the US in 2002. He is a local filmmaker, composer, and musician. He taught himself to play guitar at age 14 and has played with bands ever since. But it was his father's classical music collection that put him on the path he is now. His interest in film scoring in the mid-nineties took over and he taught himself how to write and orchestrate film score music. Years later, this sparked his passion in filmmaking. Although he still values composing and guitar playing, his focus has shifted to filmmaking.

On the surface, he is strict, linear, a seeker of facts. To talk to him is to hear about his black-and-white world, of that which is true and that which is otherwise. But somewhere deeper, beyond the straight lines, lies the kaleidoscope through which visuals & music occur to him, taking the hard edges of reality and making them beautiful, strange, and yet still familiar.

He calls himself a realist now, and the term certainly fits the movies and music he creates today. The charmed "here-and-now" of his world is infused into his stories and melodies. These form unmistakably clear images in the mind of the audience. Perhaps they are memories from his adventures, springing forth. Perhaps they are the life that his art would take if it had solid form.

Today, he resides in his quaint country cottage, away from the bustling cities of Argentina and prefers the quiet life with his wife Sindi and his cats. You can catch him playing guitar with his band, sitting at home developing a new script or in his small home studio hammering out melody after melody and finally deciding on one to further develop. The secret to his writing he says is “I write 100 melodies, but only 1 makes it past the first stage.”

Rudy Treviño – Keynote Speaker
Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, journalist, and Tejano music historian Rudy Treviño has been a defining voice in South Texas media for nearly five decades. As the longtime co-anchor of KIII 3News and host of Domingo Live, the longest-running bilingual entertainment show in the nation, Treviño has dedicated his career to storytelling and preserving the cultural legacy of Tejano music.

Treviño is also the host and executive producer of the nationally syndicated Tejano Gold Countdown, a radio staple for nearly 30 years. His expertise and passion for the genre have made him an influential advocate for Tejano music, ensuring its continued growth and recognition across generations.

In 2025, Treviño will take on a new role as Professor of Practice at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, where he will lead efforts to establish an academic center focused on the study and conservation of Tejano music and media. A proud Navy veteran and sixth-generation Texan from Beeville, Treviño sees this transition as an opportunity to inspire future communicators and musicians while preserving the rich heritage of nuestra música.

As a keynote speaker at the Coastal Bend Music Industry Symposium, Treviño will share his insights on the rich musical history of the Coastal Bend, and the importance of cultural preservation in today’s industry.

Jimmy Smithwick has been a fixture in the Corpus Christi music scene since 1988, when he moved to the city to pursue his passion for live music. Over the decades, he has played in several bands, including DEAD MAN’S HAND in the late ’80s and The Reely Rotnz, a group that toured and represented Corpus Christi for 27 years. Currently, he rocks with The Love Bombers. Beyond performing, Jimmy owns and operates Smithwick’s Guitar Repair, offering full-service repairs and custom builds. He also produces music for himself and other artists in his home project studio. A passionate advocate for musicians, Jimmy is dedicated to educating artists about performance rights organizations and helping them secure fair royalties. His lifelong commitment to music and the local scene continues to inspire and elevate the Corpus Christi music community.

Freddie Martinez Jr. is a 40-year veteran of the music industry. He is the President of Operations, Artist Relations, and co-owner of FREDDIE RECORDS, one of the most successful and iconic independent Latin record labels in the United States currently celebrating its 55th anniversary in business. Freddie is also the co-owner of LEGENDS SOUND STUDIOS, South Texas’ premiere state-of-the-art music production and recording facility located in Corpus Christi. He is also an accomplished guitar player.

Freddie is a two-time Grammy and four-time Latin Grammy award-winning producer and engineer. He won his first Grammy in 2000 for his work on “Qué Es Música Tejana” by THE LEGENDS featuring Tejano icons FREDDIE MARTINEZ, SR., SUNNY OZUNA, AUGUSTIN RAMIREZ, and CARLOS GUZMAN. Freddie received his second Grammy the following year for his work on Norteño music superstar RAMON AYALA’s critically acclaimed album, “En Vivo...El Hombre Y Su Música”. His four Latin Grammy wins were for his work as a producer on the seminal albums “Live En El Valle” and “The Legend Continues” by the iconic JIMMY GONZALEZ Y GRUPO MAZZ, “Six Pack” by SIGGNO, and “Fantasia” by ELIDA REYNA Y AVANTE. In 2008, Freddie also received a Latin Grammy nomination as a songwriter for the hit single, “Búscame En El Cielo”, recorded by Jimmy Gonzalez Y Grupo Mazz. His list of credits on other Grammy and Latin Grammy nominated projects includes albums by such notable artists as LOS PALOMINOS, SOLIDO, MICHAEL SALGADO, LA FIEBRE, JAY PEREZ, GARY HOBBS, LUCKY JOE and many others.

Freddie is a past member of the Board of Governors for the Texas Chapter of The Recording Academy. During his tenure, Freddie served as First Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, and served two consecutive terms as President. Freddie was instrumental in increasing membership and building Texas’ Latin music constituency and it was during his second term as President that the Texas branch was awarded Chapter status. Freddie is also a former Trustee of the Latin Recording Academy and served on its President’s Advisory Council. In addition, Freddie has served on the Recording Academy’s National Nominating and Screening Committee for Latin releases.

In addition to his work in the music industry, Freddie dedicates his time to serving with his music ministry group playing guitar, bass, and background vocals for various church retreats. He has also served on several local boards and has been very active in the community. He previously served as Chairman of the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce. He also served on the Board of the Foster Angels of South Texas, as well as Casa De Amor, an annual fundraiser which raises awareness for the Ronald McDonald House and helps support families coping with childhood cancers and other related illnesses.

In his off time, Freddie enjoys spending time with his family, investing in commercial real estate, attending concerts, and playing and collecting guitars.

John Troup is the Strategic Accounts Manager for SESAC Performing Rights in Nashville, TN. “My job is to identify trends, generate ideas, and seek out and present opportunities to our members and licensees. I’m always trying to learn something that I hope will translate into real value for our writers and publishing partners. Innovative thinking, fresh ideas, and taking care of people will always sell.”

John has over 20 years of experience working in performing rights and music publishing at SESAC, ASCAP, Bluewater Music Publishing, and MusicSynk, as well as music instrument sales and artist relations at ZETA Music Systems and Chambers Vintage Guitars. John is deeply connected to the music community in Nashville, and he has long standing relationships with individuals in management, legal, music publishing, and technology.

Chip Adams is the Director of the Texas Music Office (TMO), where he leads efforts to support and grow the state's commercial music industry. Throughout his tenure at the TMO, Chip has been instrumental in enhancing community engagement and outreach, building strong relationships with music stakeholders and city governments.

Chip's career began at Texas Christian University, where he earned a degree in Radio/TV/Film. He then worked as a radio DJ in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, which sparked his passion for supporting musicians. This took him to Los Angeles and New York, where he handled radio promotion for both independent and major label artists at Dangerbird Records and the Cornerstone Agency.

Returning to Texas, Chip founded Modern Outsider, an independent label and artist management company, before joining the Texas Music Office. He also served on the Board of Governors for the Texas Chapter of the Recording Academy from 2014 to 2021. Under his leadership, the TMO continues to strengthen Texas’s music industry by collaborating with musicians, businesses, government entities, and trade organizations. As the leader of the nation's longest-running state music office, Chip and his team are proud to represent and advocate for the Texas music industry.

Mitch Ballard is BMI’s Executive Director, Creative in Austin. Mitch is responsible for signing and developing new talent and supporting BMI’s extensive family of Texas songwriters and publishers, focusing on the country and rock genres, among others. He assists BMI songwriters with creative and administrative tasks and helps coordinate showcases, seminars, and other events in BMI’s stacked calendar, including BMI’s Songwriter Series at the famed Saxon Pub.

Mitch was instrumental in the opening of the BMI Austin office, leading the team in conjunction with the Texas Governor’s Office to create awareness around the opening. He is also involved with the Texas Music Office and helps in its mission to create opportunities for artists and songwriters in Texas while connecting them with music business executives in the state.  

Mitch, a native Texan, is a lifetime member of the Country Music Association, a member of the Academy of Country Music and a GRAMMY-voting member.  He also serves on the boards of the Cindy Walker Foundation, the Sing Me A Story Foundation, the Austin Community College Music Business Curriculum Advisory board, and is a Black Fret Society Advisor.

Born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, Matt Martinez has been an active force in the music scene for 17 years. A multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and composer, he has showcased his versatility across a diverse range of genres and projects. As a member of bands such as Echo, Absolum, Buddy T y Los Chingons, Ty Dietz and the Cool Arrows, Gravy, Any Colour You Like, Lady Kat & Mattman Band, and Indio, Matt has built a reputation for dynamic performances and innovative musicianship. He also performs as a solo artist under the name Mattman.

Beyond live performance, Matt has made his mark in film composition, winning Best Original Score at the CC7D Film Festival in both 2022 and 2023. With a passion for creativity and collaboration, he continues to push musical boundaries while contributing to the thriving Coastal Bend music community.

Dr. Deniz Gevrek is a Professor of Economics at the TAMU-CC and a Research Fellow at International Labor Institute, IZA. She is the national VP of Omicron Delta Epsilon. She earned Ph.D. and M.A. degrees in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Gevrek’s research interests include Applied Microeconometrics and Labor Economics. She is dedicated to interdisciplinary research and has published in prestigious peer-reviewed journals with research featured at The Wall Street Journal and Wired magazine. She is trained in survey methods and conducting economic impact studies. Dr. Gevrek received numerous awards for teaching, research, and service excellence.

Jimmy Willden is a singer-songwriter, journalist, filmmaker, and performer dedicated to fostering original music in the Coastal Bend. As a co-founder of Corpus Christi Songwriters, he helps cultivate a thriving music community through songwriting nights, workshops, retreats, and the annual Corpus Christi Songwriters Festival every February.

Willden is also one-half of the Texas-based indie-folk duo Yosh & Yimmy, which has been releasing music and touring nationally since 2017. In 2022, they released their debut full-length studio album, Three Rivers, toured the Midwest, and saw their lead single, Down & Out, climb the folk charts.

As a solo artist, Willden has released multiple albums, including 2018’s So Much Stuff. So Many Things., featuring singles Hey Lover and Barefoot & Naked