After finishing up his college basketball career (the highlight of which was six knee surgeries) Bob made his way to San Diego, eventually landing a job at what was then KCST-TV.  It was there he met with Marty Zimmerman and started a 25-plus-year career with HVS, producing, directing and editing commercials, documentaries, corporate videos and news stories in 13 different languages. He’s lucky enough to have been on the field for three Super Bowls, as well as 22 incredible days at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. Along the way he’s earned several Emmys, Tellys and the lasting appreciation of a long list of clients.  In his free time (wait, there’s free time?) he loves traveling with his wife, Jaci, (41 countries so far) and playing his version of what he calls “golf”.

After a year-long college stint in Australia, Jeff was lured to the West Coast over two decades ago from Kansas by the promise of no winter, a career in the production industry, and surfing (not necessarily in that order). Starting in LA, he found his way to San Diego and began a career at Sloan Productions, which has only lasted 23 years. Jeff is a seasoned DP, cameraman, and editor for virtually all types of production. He’s known for his attention to detail and follow-through that is greatly appreciated by our clients.  As a DP & Producer/Director, he’s helped shape countless productions. He currently is the lowest-handicap golfer on our staff (a position Bob Shroder knows he’ll never hold), and enjoys spending time with his wife Stephanie and two teenage children.

While attending college at Southwestern and studying Industrial Engineering, Mary took elective classes in Video Production. She quickly realized that neither the “industrial” nor “engineering” portions of her major were particularly appealing to her, and switched her focus to Television Production. She soon got a job as Production Manager at HVS and has been there for almost 19 years. In addition to her manager duties, Mary fills in any number of ways, including as a grip, PA and craft services. One of her favorites things about her job is the five days she spends every year ducking golf balls at Torrey Pines working a parabolic microphone for PGA Tour Entertainment. In her free time she likes to watch her son play travel baseball and tries to keep active by working out at the gym or mountain biking with her husband Matt.

Brad graduated with a degree in Computer Science from San Diego State. (Which is fortunate since everything is a computer today). After graduation, he literally created the electronic graphics department at KPBS, and in 1993 KFMB-Digital Post whisked him away to create 3D animations, graphics and special effects. After leaving KFMB-Digital Post he joined forces with HVS. Brad specializes in broadcast commercials, but enjoys all forms of production (though he often considers 60 seconds as “long form”). The in-house geek and the go-to guy for any technical questions or problems, he’s invaluable to fellow employees and clients alike. With an edit-bay full of toys and trivia (brush up on your Star Trek) he can make render time feel like it’s going warp speed.

Bob picked up his first camera when he was 7 years old, which turned out to be the kernel of his career. Next came a vision of a production company, which became Sloan Productions. One of his specialties (which fit in perfectly with his love of diving) was, and still is, underwater videography. That skill led to ESPN to hire Bob as the first “in the water” cameraman for 1992 America’s Cup Races in San Diego, where he became a yacht racing “spectacle” when he almost got run over by the yacht of the Italian challengers. He’s been awarded national Emmys and Tellys for his work, and, let’s be honest, had a lot of fun in the process! In those rare times he’s not working, he loves to scuba dive, blow glass, and cook.

Marty graduated from SDSU, and was hired by KPBS and worked on many award-winning film projects. (Yes, we said film, as in sprocket holes). After stints as a news photographer in Utah and San Diego, Marty started HVS with Bob Shroder, working for a large variety of national and international clients. After receiving his commercial helicopter pilot license, he flew other photographers and learned about aerial camera stabilization. He built and operated San Diego’s first stabilized HD aerial camera system.  Building and piloting remotely controlled planes and helicopters for decades has put him in the perfect position for today’s ''drone" mounted camera systems.  At home he loves biking and kayaking and with his wife Nicki, as well as surfing and flying with his son Ryan…life is good!

A native San Diegan (yes there are some) Nicki is a graduate of UCSD and GIA. Prior to joining HVS she worked for the NBC Today Show and Paramount Pictures. She joined HVS as production coordinator and accountant but showed off her versatility by doing location audio on various shoots around the world (including a death-defying run through the Tokyo airport in less than 20 minutes to catch a plane).  She’s also worked on videos for the Special Olympics, the America’s Cup with TV New Zealand and the yachting film “Morning Light” with Roy Disney.  When not keeping track of the books and shuttling her son Ryan to school and practices, she continues to follow her true passion, still photography, exploring the transition from black and white film to digital photography.

As a 15-year-old golden retriever, Abby pretty much has earned the right to do whatever she wants to around the office. Which, basically, involves greeting you when you come in, making sure you pet her, then falling asleep at your feet. However, she’s not averse to be woken up for the occasional well-timed Milk-Bone (or to be honest ANY kind of treat – Golden Retrievers are not well known for being picky). Her lucky owners are HVS-Sloan President and CEO Bob Shroder and his wife Jaci (who adopted her when she was 9 years old), but around the office she’s pretty much everyone’s!