About
SureCast is a closely-knit team of webcasting experts. We’re technicians. We’re plan developers and project managers. We’re field engineers. We’re sound and video specialists. What unites us is our passion for the power of webcasting. Meeting new webcasting challenges head on – and using our creativity and technical expertise to solve them is what drives us.
Our Timeline:
2001: Produced our first live stream. Our client was NavTeq (which is now HERE).
2003: Designed and assembled our first portable encoder system, capable of encoding VGA resolution to a Windows Media format for streaming. (At the time, Windows Media was the standard for live streaming).
2007: Handled our 500th live event and began building our presence on Amazon servers so that we could provide scalable events using Amazon infrastructure.
2008: Fielded our first request from a well-known university to develop a custom application to handle unlimited registration.
2010: Hired for a week of livestreaming on the set of a national TV commercial for one of the world’s largest retailers. This enabled the client’s legal and marketing teams to maintain open communication throughout the shoot.
2011: Started using bonded 4G hotspots to supply Internet in the field – and in some cases, at venues with sub-standard connectivity.
2012: Invited to produce the live stream for the 12th Annual World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates featuring Jimmy Carter, Mikhail Gorbachev, and His Holiness, The Dalai Lama
2013: Began offering live captioning services relying on on-site hardware systems to interface remote stenographers with audio from the event origin.
2016: 20,000TH live webcast.
2020: Relaunched with a purpose-built name representing the essence of what we provide.
Meet The SureCast Team
Mitchell Norinsky
What drew you to the work that you do?
I love the anticipation that comes with live events. Once the countdown starts, though, it all becomes very quiet for me. That’s when preparation takes over, the team finds its rhythm, and solving problems becomes second nature.
What's the most important part of your position on the team?
Ensuring clear, consistent communication between every stakeholder involved in the production—from the client and venue to the vendors, crew, and participants. When everyone has the right information at the right time, the production runs smoothly, problems are resolved quickly, and the client has confidence that every detail is being managed.
What is a "hidden talent" you bring to the team that isn’t exactly in your job description?
My hidden talent is putting people in a position to succeed. I carefully choose my crew based on both their craft and their character, then trust them to lead within their area of expertise. I welcome their ideas, encourage their ownership of the solution, and believe the best productions come from talented people who feel respected and empowered. That approach not only elevates the event, but also builds stronger confidence in the individual and a stronger team for the next production.
What is your ultimate event-day fuel?
A good espresso gets me started, but my real event-day fuel is seeing the client completely immersed in their event because they aren’t thinking about the production at all. When the crew is working seamlessly together behind the scenes and the client has the confidence to disengage from the logistics and focus on their guests, speakers, or audience, that’s the kind of energy that makes a great event.
Aaron Gebner
How long have you been honing your talents?
Since I was about 13-14 years old, I have been broadcasting my school's sporting events with a donated tricaster and some huge older Sony cameras. I've always loved the technical aspects of live production.
What drew you to the work that you do?
The constantly changing technical requirements and challenges. Even doing the same show a second time can present new problems that need to be solved, improvements and additions that add complexity and new learning experiences.
What is your go-to strategy for staying calm when things inevitably go off-script?
Going off script can be stressful, but also freeing in a way. At that point, no one can be mad at you for missing a queue that doesn't exist or cutting to the wrong shot if there is no call! I just try to make everything seem intentional! I think about what I would want to see or be seen as the viewer and our client. Just follow the action as best we can and go with the flow!
Bob Stephen
What is a "hidden talent" you bring to the team that isn’t exactly in your job description?
Integrating play and calculated experimentation into the execution of the job. This helps me find new ways to work and keeps me mentally engaged during these events.
How do you know when a project or event has been truly successful?
I consider an event ultimately successful if the client is happy at the end of the day. Personally, satisfaction for a successful job includes executing my role with competence and handling technical hurdles with a solutions based mindset. Engineering a "good vibe" on the job site is important to me because that will impact the perception of the event.
What is the one (or two) tool(s) you never show up without?
Travel router, control laptop, stream deck.
If you were in charge of the load-in/setup playlist, what are we listening to?
Rodrigo y Gabriela radio station.
Jon Monteverde
How long I’ve been with SureCast: Since 2009
What I do at SureCast: Advise on sound equipment selection, recording strategy, proper mic and speaker placements.
Why it matters: Great sound is one of the key differences between a SureCast and an ordinary webcast.
To do my job you need to be: Equal parts technician and creative.
When I get to be a hero at work: When there is a sound issue, such as uncontrollable HVAC, and I get to use my sound expertise and creativity to make the problem disappear.
Beyond SureCast: I handle audio engineering for live music and theater, I do post-production for music, television, and film, I compose and perform music ranging from rock to electronic to musical theater.
Outside of work: I have a beagle/basset hound mix named Oakley. He is the strong, silent type.
Shoaib Noormohammad
How long have you been honing your talents?
Long enough to know better, but not long enough to regret it yet. About 4 years, or so.
What's the most important part of your position on the team?
Court Jester / Working with the client to make sure they are happy with the visuals, so everyone else can focus on their roles.
What is a "hidden talent" you bring to the team that isn’t exactly in your job description?
I can usually bounce around in most of the roles, so I think that can be helpful. Always wanting to learn more which helps add to that as well.
What is your ultimate event-day fuel?
Protein shakes as they feel like milkshakes, but without the guilt.
Alan Dutkiewicz
How long I’ve been with SureCast: Since 2001.
What is Webscast Engineering: I study each client event and decide which software and hardware to use, how and where to use it, which people need to be involved, etc. I arrange the elements that are needed to make the client’s webcast a success.
What keeps you interested in webcasting? What’s the attraction? In short, it’s the energy. These events happen so fast, you can’t stop and analyze every situation. You have to think on your feet. That keeps me hungry for new approaches, equipment, and technology to stay ahead of the curve.
If were to brag about myself, I would say: I’ve planned and produced thousands of successful events for clients around the world.
Education: Graduated from Columbia College with a B.A. in Arts with a major in television production.
Outside of work: In warm weather, I’m on my sailboat.
Biggest thing I’ve learned at SureCast: Trust is everything. You earn clients’ trust by being direct and candid with them – always. Also, it’s never a bad idea to underpromise and overdeliver. You know – the Nordstrom philosophy.
Alaina Williams
How do you know when a project or event has been truly successful?
I think the best sign that an event went well, is when our team knows we were troubleshooting an issue or were having a problem during the event, but the client is completely unaware that anything happened. Of course we would like to avoid issues, but knowing that we handled them so quickly makes me feel that we were successful at taking the stress off the clients plate.
How would you describe our team’s dynamic in three words?
Composed, resourceful, proactive
What's the most important part of your position on the team?
The most important part of my role on the team is staying focused and communicating with everyone. When a presenter goes off-script or something unexpected happens I have to be ready to react and follow suit. Additionally, knowing what to expect from presenters and other members on our team is super important, so that I know what should be happening in the room and on screen.
Nancy Reid
How long I’ve been with SureCast: Since 2006.
What comes easily to me but is difficult for other people: Connecting with people.
The best thing about working in webcasting: Every project represents a unique opportunity for professional learning, growth and development. No two clients or projects are alike.
Education: B.A. in Education from Eastern Michigan University.
Beyond SureCast: I think it’s fair to say that I’m a great cook and baker. I specialize in comfort food – everything from chicken noodle soup to braised short ribs.
