PB Film

Denise-Marie Nieman

Chair

Denise-Marie Nieman joined the Palm Beach County Attorney’s Office after her graduation from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law in 1986 and stayed there in continuous public service until her retirement in October 2021, ending a 35-year run with the last 25 years serving as the County Attorney. One of her earlier assignments was representing the Film & Television Commission, so she has been a fan of the mission for a long time. Ms. Nieman is on the Board of Governors as a trustee of the St. Mary’s Medical Center and previously was a member of the Board of Directors of SunFest of Palm Beach County, Inc., serving as president in 2010. She’s also a certified pageant judge through the Miss America Organization. Ms. Nieman has enjoyed many competitions in that capacity, playing a role in providing scholarships to many amazing women over the years. Ms. Nieman is an officer in the France Florida Foundation of the Arts, having served as a member of its Board of Directors since 2013. She’s a member of the French Heritage Society, La Société des Filles du Roi et Soldats du Carignan, Inc., and The American-French Genealogical Society. Ms. Nieman was also inducted as an Ambassadeur of the République de Montmartre and is a member of the Paris American Club NYC. Her passion is writing and all forms of creative expression. Ms. Nieman is the author of Christmas Party Celebrations (1997) and Rock the World Rehab: a 4-step get red carpet ready detox adventure (2012), which became an Amazon #1 bestseller. She currently shares inspiration on social media @Glitter.the.Globe and has a few books and projects in the works. Ms. Nieman’s faith is very important to her. She’s active in the Catholic Church here and abroad and is a Dame in the Order of Malta. Through that association, she regularly feeds the homeless at St Ann Place Outreach Center (SAPOC) and participates in a rosary ministry. She became a board member of SAPOC in 2024. She’s on the board of the Guild of Catholic Lawyers of Palm Beach and a member of the Catholic Bar Association. Ms. Nieman splits her time between Jupiter and Paris, enjoying life with her husband, Joe, and their dogs Oscar and Cocoa.

Carol Roberts

Past Chair

Carol A. Roberts attended Palm Beach Community College, University of Miami and Tufts University. Over the years, Ms. Roberts has held several official positions in Palm Beach County, including: West Palm Beach City Commissioner; Mayor of West Palm Beach; Palm Beach County Commissioner; Member of the Solid Waste Authority; Chair and Member of Tri-Rail Board; Board Member and Development Director Palm Beach Photographic Center; City of West Palm Beach Budget Committee; Chair of National Association of Counties Transportation Committee; Chair of the City of West Palm Beach Transportation Committee; member of the City of West Palm Beach Comprehensive Plan Review Board; member of the West Palm Beach Cultural Committee; and member and Chair of the Palm Beach Health Care District. Ms. Roberts was married to Hyman J. Roberts for 59 years and is mother to six children and has eleven grandchildren.

Robert Sanders

Vice Chair

Bob Sanders is a distinguished fundraiser, legal mind, and civic leader whose impact on West Palm Beach spans more than four decades. Raised in a Philadelphia orphanage until age 8, Sanders developed a deep appreciation for hard work, starting his journey in a warehouse before pursuing higher education. He graduated from Temple University with degrees in accounting and law, later clerking for Federal District Court Judge John W. Lord, Jr. His legal career led him to become a name partner at a Philadelphia law firm and eventually Vice President, General Counsel, and later President of the Goodman Company—where he helped lead major developments like the Phillips Point twin towers and the Esplanade in Palm Beach. After relocating to Florida in 1982, Sanders quickly became a trusted political advisor and key figure in West Palm Beach’s transformation. At the request of Mayor Nancy Graham, he came out of retirement to serve as Deputy City Attorney, overseeing city transactions and vital economic development projects. He played an instrumental role in negotiating and advising on the creation of the Convention Center, the redevelopment of the West Palm Beach Auditorium and stadium site, and the landmark CityPlace project, a $750 million downtown revitalization effort. Sanders also served as President of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches and Chairman of the Downtown Development Authority. His contributions go well beyond economic growth—he has passionately supported causes like the West Palm Beach Library Foundation, the Adam Walsh Children’s Fund, Cities in Schools, the Epilepsy Foundation of Eastern Florida, and the Palm Beach International Film Festival. In recognition of his service, the City of West Palm Beach declared August 22, 2023, as “Robert Sanders Day,” and in 2024, he received the prestigious SunFest Legacy Award for 40 years of continuous volunteer service and dedication to the community.

James L. Bearden, Esq.

Secretary

James L. Bearden has more than 20 years’ experience in corporate, communications and entertainment law. Currently, Mr. Bearden is the Managing Partner of the CBR Law Group, LLLP in Boca Raton, Florida.  Mr. Bearden's current practice emphasizes the representation of individuals, corporate and business entities involved in the entertainment industry. Mr. Bearden has extensive experience in the negotiation, preparation and administration of a wide range of contracts involving music/television/film production and distribution companies, artist and entertainers, publishing, Internet companies, radio networks, boxing promotions, concert and sporting event sites and venues. Transactions in which Mr. Bearden has participated include corporate mergers and acquisitions, real estate development, civil litigation, the representation of radio and television stations, cable and broadband systems.  Also, Mr. Bearden has held the positions of Associate General Counsel at Don King Productions, Inc. in Deerfield Beach, Florida, of counsel at the law firm of Akerman, Senterfitt & Eidson in Miami, Florida and of counsel at The Thomas Law Group, PA, in Boca Raton, Florida. He is a graduate of the University of Detroit and of the Howard University School of Law. At the University of Detroit, Mr. Bearden majored in radio, television & film production. Mr. Bearden holds memberships in the Federal Communications Bar, the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association, and is also an agent/signatory of the Writers Guild of America, East and West. Mr. Bearden is admitted to practice law in the State of Florida, the District of Columbia, before the US District Court for the District of Columbia, the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, and the US District Court for the District of Maryland. 

Douglas Rill

Treasurer

Douglas Rill is the Owner, Founder and Broker for "CENTURY 21 America's Choice," a full-service real estate company since 1994. He has over 40 Years of experience in all facets of the real estate industry. In 1997, he acquired the "CENTURY 21 Academy of Learning," Real Estate School, operating over 20 years. Douglas began giving real estate advice on Public Radio in 1978, then in 1979, the show was moved to WJNO, where it became the longest running real estate show, ending in 2010.  In 1985, Douglas became the Executive Producer of the video magazine, "House Detective," which aired on WPEC TV-12, for five consecutive years. Douglas has served on several Boards, including The Palm Beach International Film Festival and as President of CENTURY 21 Treasure/Palm Beach Council. Mr. Rill holds a BBA from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton and a Realtor Emeritus designation from the National Association of Realtors. Douglas currently lives in Palm Beach with his wife, Angela Murray, former radio news anchor in Miami and West Palm Beach.

Penelope Douglas

Alternate

Ms. Douglas has worked in Television Production Management for more than 20 years. She is a multi-award-winning Producer and Executive Producer. In 2014 she helped launch the Newsmax TV national cable channel, and in 2018 she helped launch the South Florida PBS Health Channel, where she still serves as the Director of Content & Acquisitions. In addition, she was a consultant to the PBC Film & Television Commission’s The Palm Beaches TV Channel. Penelope has served on the Board of Directors from 2010-2022 and re-joined in 2024.

John E. Oxendine

Alternate

Mr. Oxendine is a seasoned entrepreneur, operator, investor, and lender with over 30 years of experience in the communications industry. He has led all aspects of investment and portfolio management, including due diligence, structuring, negotiation, and strategic exits across the companies he has founded, managed, or advised. He currently serves as Chairman, President, and CEO of Blackstar Management, LLC and Blackstar Media L.P., which provide consulting and management services to communications firms. Previously, he was interim CEO and board member of Equity Media Holdings Corporation, a publicly held media company. In 1987, Mr. Oxendine founded Blackstar Communications, Inc., which acquired and operated five U.S. television stations. The company, launched with $100,000 in equity and $5 million in preferred capital, eventually sold its assets for $96 million, delivering strong returns to investors including Fox Television and Home Shopping Network. From 1981 to 1995, Mr. Oxendine was President and Chairman of Broadcap Capital, Inc. and its parent, Broadcast Capital Fund, Inc., which supported minority-owned media ventures. Under his leadership, these firms invested $17 million across 47 companies, leveraging nearly $80 million in total capitalization and helping seed several significant Hispanic-owned media businesses. He has also served on the boards of Paxson Communications Corporation and Lockhart Companies Incorporated, and previously served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1967 to 1973. Mr. Oxendine holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.A. from Hunter College. He has authored articles on venture capital and media investing in several respected journals and maintains a working knowledge of Spanish and French. He currently resides in Boca Raton, Florida.

Monte Young

Monte is a producer/writer, producing a number of feature films, including Billy Todd's War, Hitters Anonymous, and Gasp (filmed in Beijing in 2009). Most recently, in 2018, Monte produced The Wave, starring Justin Long and Tommy Flanagan, and Survivors (short), produced with Marco Shepherd at Centropolis Entertainment. Both films will be released in 2019. Further, in 2020 Monte is scheduled to produce the feature films, Scarlettville, and The Old Way. Monte is also developing television, including Shanghai, Queens of the Ring, Frank, and Stone Age, and is currently producing a reality medical show, Dr. East meet West, which explores the best of both Chinese and Western medical practices. In 2018 Monte partnered with Mana Animation, headed by VFX professional Dean Lyon, developing children’s animated educational series including Sparx, Bookends, Earth 101 and First Pets, as well as a live-action feature film trilogy, Dragon Wars. Prior to entering the entertainment industry, Monte worked as a finance attorney, developing and structuring infrastructure investments in Asia.

Paul Noble

Paul Noble, a 5-time Emmy award winner, was in television work for over 45 years.  Today, he’s an author; his latest book is ‘My First 83 Years,’ which is a review of his career. Paul began his career at WGBH-TV Boston as producer and director.  He produced Eleanor Roosevelt's NET series "Prospects of Mankind", "Invitation to Art" from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and many specials and series.  At Channel 5 in New York, first for Metromedia and then for Fox, he produced or executive produced "Midday Live," "Dr. Ruth," "The Alan Burke Show," and "The Bishop Sheen Show."  He also hosted "The Fox 5 Movie Club."  For eleven years, he acquired and scheduled movies for Lifetime, Television for Women.  He is a past president of the New York chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (the Emmys), a member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.  He is a graduate of Cornell University and has a Master’s Degree in Communications from Boston University. He has also co-authored four books with his wife, Paulette Cooper, the "Pet Set" columnist of the Palm Beach Daily News. Noble and his wife are retired co-presidents of the Palm Beach chapter of the Circumnavigators Club.

Suzanne Niedland

Suzanne Niedland is the Managing Director of SuzArt Productions, LLC, an award-winning filmmaker, actor, and Broadway producer based in South Florida. In addition to serving as a Director for The Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission, she is also a Director for The Society of the Four Arts, a member of the International Committee for the Performing Arts at the Kennedy Center, an Advisory Committee Member for The DeVos Institute for Arts Management, and a member of the Film, Animation & Recording Arts Business Partnership Council at PBSC. Suzanne earned her master’s degree in Documentary Filmmaking from the University of Florida. She develops and produces feature narratives, documentaries, and theatre productions in both Broadway and the U.K. markets. She is currently working as a voice-over actor for the upcoming pilots BookEnds and Emergen-Sea, produced by fellow FTC Board Director Monte Young. Beyond her passion for the arts, Suzanne is a minority owner of the Washington Spirit women’s professional soccer team. She is deeply committed to philanthropic efforts, particularly in healthcare, having founded the Margaret W. Niedland Breast Center at Jupiter Medical Center to raise awareness for breast cancer. She is also a member of Go Red for Women of the American Heart Association and the Tiffany Circle of the American Red Cross. Suzanne has also discovered a love for ballroom dancing and joyfully competes around the country in the Pro/Am division.

Vicki Chouris

In 2019, Vicki was named President and CEO of the South Florida Fair and Palm Beach County Expositions, Inc.  After a 40-year career with the Fair, she recently retired in July of 2024. She has found retirement to be as busy as a full-time career.  She is enjoying her time with her husband of 26 years, Toby Notman. Vicki is an alumna of Palm Beach State College and a graduate of Palm Beach Atlantic University where she received her Master’s in Business Administration. She supports her community by serving on many Boards.  She had the privilege of serving as Chair of the Palm Beach State College Foundation Board, Discover the Palm Beaches and Leadership Palm Beach County.  She is also past Chair of the Florida Federation of Fairs and the Florida Festivals and Events Association. Vicki continues to serve on the Boards of the State College Foundation, Quantum House, Law Enforcement Assistance Foundation and the Southeast Florida Girl Scouts as well as serving as an honorary director of the South Florida Fair. She has been recognized by her peers over the years and has been the recipient of the following awards: South Florida Fair Hall of Fame, Florida Federation of Fairs Hall of Fame, Athena Award, Women in Leadership WILA Award, Leadership, Palm Beach County President’s Excellence Award, and PBAU Distinguished Alumni Award.

Steve Crist

Steve Crist brings over two decades of local expertise and hospitality leadership to his role at the Wyndham Grand Jupiter at Harbourside Place. Having called the area home for 22 years, Steve is a true destination expert, offering meeting planners seamless, time-saving solutions and insider knowledge that elevate every event experience. With a background in Hospitality Management from Ryerson University and an MBA from Northwood University, Steve combines academic insight with hands-on industry acumen. His approach is rooted in strategic thinking, exceptional service, and a genuine passion for the guest experience. Outside the office, Steve can often be found paddle board surfing, cruising along the Intracoastal Waterway, or savoring innovative dishes from the collection’s award-winning chefs.

Michael E. Gauger, MSW

Before becoming a true-crime production consultant for Bunim and Murray, former Chief Deputy Michael E. Gauger had a decorated and decades-long career in law enforcement. Gauger began as a Special Deputy Sheriff in 1970 and was later promoted up the ranks to Major of the Investigations Division. Gauger retired in 2004 but continued to volunteer at the State Attorney’s office working on cold-case homicides. A year later, in 2005, Gauger returned as Chief Deputy for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, serving as Sheriff Ric Bradshaw’s second in command. Gauger retired in 2021 with 50 years of service with PBSO. Gauger has also been a Guest Lecturer for the Palm Beach County Community Oriented Policing Association and taught as an Adjunct Professor at Palm Beach Community College. Gauger served as Chairman of the JFK Medical Center’s Board of Trustees. In addition to working with the Searcy Denny Scarola Barnhart and Shipley Law Firm, in April 2023 he filed to compete for the political position of Sheriff of Palm Beach County.

Glenn Jergensen

Glenn Jergensen served as the Executive Director of the Tourist Development Council for eight years and is now retired.  He assumed the tourism industry role after spending a year as Senior Vice President of Operations with Discover Palm Beach County, Inc. managing the financial, administrative, contractual, research and visitor-related service functions.  Mr. Jergensen received his degree in Business Administration from Bryant University in Providence, Rhode Island before joining Collyer Insulated Wire in 1977.  In 1981, he joined Motorola Inc.  With 30 years of business administration and operational expertise in similar capacities at two Fortune 100 companies, he assumed a non-profit position as President and CEO of the Greater Boynton Beach Chamber of Commerce for nine years.  In his role, he contributed business and technical expertise to the Palm Beach County Convention center, as well as oversight and development support for one of the largest industries in Palm Beach County, tourism.  His leadership, through management of the County agreements with Discover Palm Beach County, Inc., the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, the Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission, and oversight of the Palm Beach County Convention Center, resulted in increasing visitation to the county through a growing and intensive collaborative marketing program.

Carla Bryant

Ms. Bryant is a returning member of the Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission Board of Directors and an enthusiastic cinephile. For over 35 years, she has successfully managed project and training initiatives in a variety of industries including technology, aerospace, intelligence, engineering, nonprofit, education and government. She currently provides human capital consulting services to several federal agencies, engaging in highly complex resource projects involving various stakeholders. She delivers effective human capital solutions within budget by applying both a rigorous analysis of qualitative and quantitative data and a vast knowledge of industry best practices. Her additional expertise includes defining challenges and articulating complex ideas for stakeholders to achieve buy in and promote effective decision making. Her hobbies include golf, puzzles, travel and of course – film!

Bianka Krausch

Bianka Krausch is an accomplished talent agency owner with nearly 19 years of experience in the industry. As a serial entrepreneur and investor, she has successfully navigated various business ventures, including her role as a crypto/domain investor, identifying innovative opportunities in the digital currency space. Bianka is dedicated to community engagement and empowerment, serving as the Film Florida Outreach Community Coordinator, where she fosters connections and supports the film industry in her region. She is also the founder of veganist.com, an eCommerce venture that promotes plant-based living, and Mompreneur.com, a vibrant community designed to inspire and support women entrepreneurs. With a passion for advocating for women in the creative industry, Bianka previously held a leadership position as a board member and co-chair of WIFT (Women in Film & Television) for three years, championing initiatives that elevate women's voices and contributions in film and television. With her extensive experience and unwavering commitment to entrepreneurship and community, Bianka continues to make a positive impact in every endeavor she undertakes.

Bill Metzger

Bill Metzger is the former Chair of the FTC. Bill has been on the FTC Board since its inception in 1989.  Bill also helped initiate the Palm Beach International Film Festival.  He co-founded and serves as the Chair of the PBC Film & Television Institute.  Bill co-owned a film and television production company and has over 30 years’ experience in various aspects of development, production, and financing in the film and electronic media industry.