State of Business 2024 Distinguished Panelist Bios

     Maureen Valker-Barlow is the Senior Vice President at Insomniac Events. With 20+ years of industry experience, Maureen is at the helm of negotiating brand partnerships for talent and music festivals across a variety of genres and interests. Maureen has conceived highly developed programs for a wide variety of clients and while she is known for creating symbiotic and beneficial partnerships, she is also highly regarded for her ability to create original experiential marketing activations which resonate with fans and create lasting brand loyalty.
     Maureen's music industry experience began over 20 years ago when in 2002 she was a Chef on Vans Warped Tour catering to touring musicians and staff. After quickly realizing the business of music was her path to personal growth and success, she transitioned through various sales roles at record labels and agencies before landing in her current role at Insomniac Events.
     Maureen is from Bridgewater, New Jersey and graduated from the French Pastry School in Chicago, Illinois.  Maureen and is happily married to her husband Chris Barlow who is also an industry Executive. They currently live in Los Angeles, with Joanie, Marcello and Claudius, their three beloved felines.


     
     Zachary Alpern serves as the Head of Government Affairs at Insomniac, where he also focuses on business development. Since joining the company in April 2016, Zach has been instrumental in shaping Insomniac’s public policy strategy and identifying key opportunities for growth. His leadership has strengthened the company’s relationships with regulatory bodies while expanding its market presence.  With a deep understanding of the live event industry, he continues to build strategic partnerships in an effort to push the boundaries of large-scale entertainment.
     Prior to his role at Insomniac, Zachary practiced law, specializing in business law, real estate, and intellectual property. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado Boulder and earned his Juris Doctor from the Fowler School of Law at Chapman University.

     Corey Smyth continues to epitomize a unique blend of talent and foresight, solidifying his status as a luminary in the music industry. As the founder and CEO of Blacksmith Holdings since 1991, Corey has steered the careers of iconic artists such as Mos Def, Talib Kweli, De La Soul, Lil ’Jon, and Dave Chappelle, showcasing his expertise in artist management, international touring, production, and forging groundbreaking global partnerships.
     His impact extends beyond music, as demonstrated by his ventures in television, film, contemporary art, and more. Corey's journey into television began in 2003 as the Music Producer and Talent Coordinator for the acclaimed TV series, Chappelle’s Show, where he introduced emerging talents like Common, Kanye West, and The Roots to millions of viewers. Transitioning seamlessly to the silver screen, Corey produced Dave Chappelle’s Block Party in 2006, marking the start of his successful foray into film production.
     In 2009, Corey collaborated with Danny Glover to produce the documentary Soundtrack for a Revolution, earning acclaim for its poignant portrayal of the Civil Rights Movement. This was followed by projects like The Black Power Mix Tape and Concerning Violence, further cementing Corey's reputation as a producer with a penchant for thought-provoking storytelling.
     His international influence was highlighted in 2010 when he curated the lineup for Japan's Summer Sonic Festival, featuring A-list talents such as Jay-Z and Stevie Wonder. Backed by Blacksmith's expanding portfolio, Corey has diversified his endeavors, collaborating with artists across various disciplines and nurturing emerging talents like Vince Staples and Kilo Kish.
     In 2014 and 2017, Corey Smyth's exceptional leadership and production skills were once again highlighted when he single-handedly spearheaded Dave Chappelle's Radio City residency, orchestrating remarkable series of 10 sold-out shows in 2014 and 16 sold-out shows in 2017.  his unparalleled dedication and strategic prowess played a pivotal role in the residency's record-breaking success, further solidifying Corey's reputation as a driving force behind groundbreaking entertainment ventures.
     2014 and 16 sold-out shows in 2017. His unparalleled dedication and strategic prowess played a pivotal role in the residency's record-breaking success, further solidifying Corey's reputation as a driving force behind groundbreaking entertainment ventures.
In 2019, Corey continued to make waves in the industry by launching Blacksmith Recordings in partnership with Capitol Music Group and Motown Records. This venture underscored his commitment to fostering new voices in music and amplifying diverse talents. With a proven track record of record-breaking achievements, including the unprecedented success of Dave Chappelle’s Radio City residency, Corey’s influence in the entertainment industry continues to evolve and expand.
     His recent role as an executive producer on the Netflix series "The Vince Staples Show" further solidifies his impact. Leveraging his extensive experience and visionary approach, Corey played a pivotal role in bringing Vince’s creative vision to life, showcasing his commitment to cultivating original content and fostering emerging talent.
     Corey Smyth remains a driving force in shaping the future of entertainment, pushing boundaries, and inspiring innovation within the industry.

     Michael Montri, Vice President, INDYCAR Promoter and Broadcast Partnerships, began his career with the Penske organization 30 years ago and 2024 marks his fourth season serving as vice president of promoter and broadcast partnerships for INDYCAR.
     Montri oversees the relationships with all current INDYCAR event promoters. Working closely with each promoter partner, Montri helps organize and manage the scheduling, television broadcast windows and the overall guest experience at all NTT INDYCAR SERIES events. He also helps identify and cultivate new promoter partnerships and prospective new locations and events for the future development of INDYCAR.
     Montri is also responsible for all international INDYCAR broadcast rights and sales with series programming reaching over 200 countries and territories worldwide. Montri also developed and launched INDYCAR’s direct-to-consumer streaming product – INDYCAR Live – which features all NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT presented by Firestone races, along with practice and qualifying sessions, as well as series archival content.
     Since 2016, Montri has served as president of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear – the annual event hosted on the Streets of Downtown Detroit that features both NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone races. Montri also oversees the INDYCAR-promoted events in Iowa, serving as president of Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend at Iowa Speedway, and leads INDYCAR’s involvement with this season’s return to Milwaukee for the Hy-Vee Milwaukee Mile 250 races. Montri also represents Penske Entertainment as a member of the Board of Directors for the newly announced INDYCAR Grand Prix of Arlington.
     A Michigan native and graduate of the University of Michigan, Montri first joined the Penske organization in 1994 as a marketing and public relations intern when the company owned and operated Michigan International Speedway. After working in the licensing division at Penske Motorsports, Montri became director of corporate sales for North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina.
     In 2001, Montri transitioned from racing to Penske Automotive Group (PAG), serving in various roles, including operating retail automotive dealerships and as vice president of procurement for PAG. He embraced the opportunity to return to his racing roots to lead the Detroit Grand Prix team in 2016 and his roles and responsibilities have continued to grow since Penske Entertainment Corp. acquired INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2020.