Our Team

“H” John Mejia
President and CEO
Producer / TV Host

“H”'s TV production experience started back in 1992 as an on-air sports reporter for a local TV show in Ohio called “Cincinnati on The Go”. While reporting there for three years, he gained the experience and passion to build on his career. From the Red Carpet, to Celebrity Events, to Travel Shows to Corporate Marketing, "H" has consistently delivered on his production promises.

In 2003, “H” John Mejia founded In The Zone TV where he has continued to build upon his strengths in on camera hosting, writing, and producing. Over the years, he has provided production services to countless companies, organizations, and charities.

"H" John has had the privilege to interview and feature many well known celebrities and professional athletes: Here are a few to mention: Hollywood stars - Ashton Kutcher - Demi Moore - Mark Wahlberg , American Idol Winner - Jordin Sparks, NFL Hall of Fame players – Marcus Allen - Lawrence Taylor - Warren Moon and Eric Dickerson, Actors–John O’Hurley from Seinfeld, Emmy nominated Kevin Dillon and Emmy winner-Jeremy Piven from Entourage, Movie Actress/ Model- Tia Carrera, TV Actor and Producer - Alfonso Rebeiro, N Sync member and TV Host -Joey Fatone, Pop culture icon – Hugh Hefner, The Girls Next Door- Kendra Wilkinson - Holly Madison and Bridget Marquardt, NFL players–Terrell Owens and Jay Cutler, Actor/dancer–Chris Judd, TV personality–Art Mann from Wild on E! and Art Mann Presents Show, Palms Casino owner/billionaire–George Maloof, Music Producer/Artist & Entrepreneur- Sean "P" Diddy Combs, Real Estate Developer and TV Reality Star - billionaire - Donald Trump, Former Governor Jeb Bush and former General- Norman Schwarzkopf.

“H” created, produced and hosted the "Playboy Golf" show on Fox Sports Net and "Living the Good Life" on CN8 Comcast. He won three Accolade Awards in 2008 for his "Living the Good Life" TV shows. He was a featured panel speaker at the NATPE -TV convention where he was asked to share his TV success story to 500 aspiring producers. He is currently developing a new show called "Good Life Tampa Bay".

As an entrepreneur, he is a partner with Capitol Marketing Concepts, Meridian Enterprises and In the Zone Rewards. His mission is to provide clients a wide variety of full service marketing solutions.

“H” was born and raised in NYC and graduated from Towson State University with a degree in Business Marketing. He played football at Towson (Tight End), where he was a four year starter, team captain, the all time leading TE receiver and an All American. “H” signed professional contracts with the Indianapolis Colts (NFL), Oakland Invaders (USFL) and PA Patriots (MLFS) but injuries shortened his football career.

Chrissy Cihlar
Executive Assistant

Chrissy Cihlar has been providing support to In the Zone TV's President and CEO, "H" John Mejia, since 1998. Her responsibilities include: coordinating schedules, meetings, booking travel itineraries, customer follow up, designing presentation solutions and keeping the team on track despite all the fast paced chaos.

Chrissy is originally from Massachusetts and enjoys the healthy lifestyle that Tampa Bay offers on a year round basis. She has a passion for yoga and is a certified instructor. Her other hobbies include movies, reading and "hanging" with her close friends and family.

Brian Sawin
VP of Production

A native of upstate New York, Brian holds an Associates degree in Television Production and a Bachelors degree in Film Production from Ithaca College. Brian seized the opportunity to finish his college career in Los Angeles, where he interned with Hollywood notables Joel Silver and the Walden Media company. His dedication and solid work ethic led to his eventual hire with Crusader Entertainment, (later changed to Bristol Bay Productions) a division of Walden Media. Working as a production assistant, Brian gained knowledge of movie production with such notable films as the Matthew McConaughey adventure “Sahara” and the Academy Award winning “Ray” featuring Oscar winner Jamie Foxx.

Brian moved to the Tampa area late 2004 to be closer to his family and was hired at In The Zone TV first as an account executive, then quickly moved into the role of camera operator and editor.

Elena Russo
On Camera/Voiceover Talent

As a television spokesperson, program host, and producer, Elena Russo’s experience runs the gamut from sports and law enforcement to fashion and public affairs. Starting her broadcast career with the Baltimore Orioles Major League Team, Elena co-produced and hosted a thirty minute magazine-formatted program for the baseball club. Later, she hosted and co-produced, the Golf Road Show, a program geared towards the recreational golfers on Comcast Sportsnet. Beyond hosting and producing CN8’s Newsmakers and Red Carpet productions in the Mid-Atlantic region for Comcast, Elena is currently working with Comcast’s Video On Demand producing a variety of community awareness programs.

Elena gained her live television experience while working at WJZ-TV for several years as a producer for the United Cerebral Palsy Telethon. Continuing as a freelancer, she worked for clients on live broadcasts such as ESPN, HBO, YES Network, NBC and most recently, for the Outdoor Life Network as the field reporter during the Cal Ripken World Series.

She is passionate about discovering news and information while generating the interest of the general public. She strongly believes in the power of television programming as an entertaining, yet educational tool. Whether a U.S. Senator or Hollywood celebrity, Elena’s interviews are conducted with tact and respect, allowing the interviewees to converse with great ease. She takes great pride in maintaining a high level of integrity, friendliness and respect with everyone she meets.

With a Master of Arts in Mass Communications, Elena shares her knowledge and experience as she teaches mandatory public speaking courses at Towson University. Additionally, she uses her communications background as a motivational speaker and for one-on-one training for individuals with a desire to enter the television world.

Clients not listed above include Cosmopolitan, America’s Most Wanted, Habitat for Humanity, RockBCause, Maryland Public Television, and the Maryland State Police where she created the Agency’s first ever Telly Award winning cable television program, “Trooper Magazine”.

Van Earl Wright
On Camera/Voiceover Talent

As a graduate of University of South Carolina and over 20 years of national & local experience, Van Earl Wright remains one of the most revered names in broadcasting. After bursting onto the national stage at CNN in the early 90’s he has spent the last 10 years with Fox Sports Net and has made numerous appearances on primetime shows such as HBO’s Arliss, ABC’s Daybreak, NBC’s Inside Schwartz, Nickelodeon’s Ned DeClassified, Spike TV’s Pros vs. Joes, The Animal Planet and MTV.

From Super Bowls to World Series to Stanley Cup Finals, NBA Finals, NCAA championships and golf’s Major Championships, Wright has become one of the most popular personalities in sports broadcasting.

Robin Kay
On Camera/Voiceover Talent

Robin has recently joined the In the Zone TV team and is a very talented Model, Actress, Infomercial Host, Author, TV Host, and Voice Over Artist. She has worked for numerous well know companies as Universal Studios, Carnival Cruise Lines, Sony, Subaru, Toyota, McDonald's, and Tony Roma's to name a few. She has also hosted such shows as "No Place Like Home", "Today's Woman", "St. Louis Exclusives", "South Florida Exclusives", "The Premier Home Show","Billionaire Chef". and "Fashion TV". Robin has been the travel expert for the Home Shopping Network and has been a tour guide for 6 years and travel consultant for 2 years.

Robin Kay is a former Miss Majorette of America, World Baton Twirling Champion, and 1st runner-up at Miss Florida(America & USA). She has been the creator and editor for an online women's Magazine and event group. Robin has also produced 2 educational CD's called "3 Days to Stardom" and "Becoming A Twirling Champion". She currently resides in the Tampa Bay area.

Brande Roderick
On Camera Talent

The beautiful and talented Brande Roderick is the former lead star of TV’s Baywatch Hawaii and VH1’s Surreal Life. She is the current co-host of Fox Sports Net’s Daily Habit and has co-starred in the movie Starsky and Hutch and co-stars in the upcoming movies, Nanny Diaries (starring Scarlett Johanson) and Dracula II. She has appeared in Maxim and FHM Celebrity magazines and was Playboy’s Playmate of the Year in 2001. She was ranked by FHM magazine in 2005 as one of the top 100 most beautiful women in the world.

Deanna Brooks
On Camera Talent

Deanna has been the co-host for the Playboy Golf Finals on Fox Sports Net for the last 4 years. In addition she has made appearances on Fox’s Best Damn Sports Show, ESPN’s Cold Pizza, and numerous E–TV specials including Wild on E with Art Mann and Brooke Burke.

She is Playboy’s Miss May 1998, and was raised in Ohio where she was trained in classical piano.

Rosanna Picardi
On Camera Talent

The beautiful and spontaneous, Rosanna Picardi, is a very talented Model, Actress, TV Host, Dancer, Motivational Speaker and Fitness Spokesperson.

Her impressive fitness resume includes: 2001 Fitness America NYC Pageant Winner and 2002 Runner Up, Aerobics Instructor, Certified Fitness Trainer, Certified Nutritionist, Gymnast, Cheerleader and a Black Belt in Karate.

Rosanna divides her busy modeling and acting schedule between NYC and Los Angeles. She is a Swimsuit Model and a Ring Girl for numerous and high profile Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts events in CT, NYC and Atlantic City.

As a motivational speaker, she has the raw energy to captivate any audience and inspire them towards self-improvement and feeling good about themselves. Her highly anticipated woman’s fitness and nutrition program, is scheduled to hit the market sometime next year.

She was born in the Philippine Islands and came to the US at a young age. She grew up right outside of NYC, in a small town in Connecticut. Her hobbies include: horseback riding, skiing, rock climbing, martial arts, hip-hop and salsa dancing.

Eddy Favara
Field producer/Cameraman/Editor

Eddy Favara has honed his video production skills over last 15 years, working on various commercials, music videos, TV specials and corporate projects.

His short film, Persuasion, which he directed and edited was a finalist for the Entertainment Industry Incubator's Collaboration series and premiered in Coconut Groove, Miami 1/06. He teaches a video class at the Patel Conservatory located at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.

Eddy was born in New York and grew up in Sarasota. He is a graduate of USF with a degree in Mass Communications.

Howard Attias
Cameraman/Field Producer/Editor

Howard’s work includes numerous shoots for the Playboy Golf Finals for Fox Sports Net, in addition he has worked on many MTV and E–TV shows, TV commercials and has produced numerous independent projects.

Kevin McMahon
Cameraman

Kevin has worked with the In The Zone team over the last 4 years shooting the Playboy Golf Show that has aired on Fox Sports Net. His portfolio of work includes shoots for major TV shows and celebrities, including former Baywatch TV star Traci Bingham. In addition, Kevin provides expertise and camera equipment to shoot in High Definition with his JVC HD camera.

Marc McCrudden
Cameraman

Marc is a skillfull shooter that has worked with the In The Zone team over the last 3 years on the Playboy Golf Show for Fox Sports Net. His portfolio of work includes numerous TV reality shoots for MTV, Bravo and E! Television. In his most recent project, he was the lead shooter for The Girls Next Door on E! Television.

Colette Meyer
Account Executive / On Camera Talent

Colette's experience and diversified background allows her to utilize a wide variety of skills and talents for the In the Zone TV team. From New Business Development to Client Management & Relations to On Camera Hosting and PR. Colette has worked with "H" John Mejia since 1999.

One of her primary responsibilities is to coordinate the In The Zone "partnership" with the Tampa Bay Business Journal and is involved in all pre and post event follow up and relations.

She was born in New Jersey then moved and was raised in Houston, Texas where she modeled and competed in various pageant competitions. She has been in Florida in since 1990 and loves the cultural diversity that Tampa Bay has to offer.

Karla Jo Helms
Public Relations

After handling the PR for an Inc 500 company for several years Karla Jo Helms was ready to launch out on her own allowing her to bring her unique take on the world of PR to businesses both large and small. “Public Relations is a powerful tool that can garner wide acceptance and delve into arenas that marketing cannot touch,” says Karla Jo, PR Strategist and Published Author.

Helms got her start creating and implementing PR Strategies for entrepreneurs, which helped her develop a keen eye for how to hone in on the best use of PR and technology to increase the Return On Investment of one’s marketing dollars. Her theory on how attaining critical mass by utilizing all areas of PR and Marketing in today's world allows her to put together complete strategies for clients that attain measurable results. A background in sales, business management and media relations has given her the well-rounded understanding of how to harness the power of PR to communicate to diverse groups of people...the end result being a wider sphere of influence and the invaluable commodity of goodwill garnered on a broad basis for her clients.

Rebekah Wood
On Camera Talent

Former Morning News Anchor for CBS affiliate in Duluth Minnesota just recently moved to the Tampa Bay area and is excited about working with the In the Zone TV production team.

Previous Experience

Rebekah learned pretty early about the early morning hours of news when she became the Morning Anchor for the CBS affiliate in Duluth while she was still attending college. She stayed in the port city for four years before moving to Madison, WI and working as an anchor/reporter at the CBS affiliate. Rebekah moved just an hour east to Milwaukee, WI for a reporter job at WDJT and less then two years later she was anchoring the 5 and 10 newscasts. In 2008, Rebekah moved back to Minnesota to Co-Host "Twin Cities Live" on 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS.

Career Highlights

Rebekah has interviewed everyone from Dan Aykroyd to Marie Osmond to the 2004 Presidential Candidates, but her favorite part of her job is sharing the stories of those in her community giving back to others. Rebekah was recently nominated TV Personality of the Year by the American Women in Radio and Television.

Education

Rebekah has a B.S. in Mass Communications with a minor in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin Superior and an Associate of Applied Science in Broadcast Journalism from Brown College in Minneapolis.

Personal Interests

Rebekah has been involved with the Muscular Dystrophy Association for five years hosting the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon, emceeing the “Black and Blue Ball” and attending MDA Camp to see the kids in action. Rebekah is also active with the American Cancer Society and attends several "Relays for Life" annually. She also raises money for brain tumor research after her husband was diagnosed with the disease in 2003.

Rebekah and her husband Corey have been married since 2001 and they have two daughters, Hathaway and Delaney.

Elaine Mann
Producer and Marketing Director

Elaine Mann has carved a niche in the entertainment and marketing mediums that have evolved into today’s fast-paced, multiplatform, digital promotional experience enjoyed by consumers worldwide.

Since entering the business more than 10 years ago, her hands-on involvement in the ground-floor, cutting-edge development of digital television networks has given her the ability to initiate and establish creative, 360 programming and marketing concepts that expand brand awareness.

Mann’s background, as an advertising and marketing manager, offers a unique, double-edged perspective toward the overall marketing strategy; as well as the intrinsic value of the associated backend business. Her ability to grasp the big picture, while overseeing the elements that result in campaign success, is invaluable in quickly moving projects from concept to execution.

Mann believes that using multi-platform marketing to offer an engaging, informative, entertaining message, specifically on the path to purchase, suits the on-demand, high-pressure, information-hungry society of the 21st century.

Michael Brittingham II
Account Executive / Talent

Michael has recently joined the In the Zone TV team. He currently owns MB2 PRODUCTIONS promoting events and managing an upcoming Urban Latin Music (Reggaeton) Star ArJay. He is the host of the “Atrevete!” radio show on www.RhinoOnAir.com. His show “Atrevete!” has a Latin focus and highlights Latino personalities, including local and National stories on : Music, Art, Business and Events.

Michael is a very positive, upbeat, and friendly person who was born in New York and is a Graduate of the George Junior Republic. He has spent the last 16 years of his life dedicated to “raising people for a living” first at the Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, in Puerto Rico, then in Tampa at the MacDill AFB Youth Services, and ultimately the last 12 Years with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay.

While in Puerto Rico, Michael played Professional Football with the Ceiba Jaguars and Fajardo Giants in the Puerto Rico American Football Federation (PRAFF) and was selected to try-out for the National Team in 1997. That is when he began to learn about and embrace Latin Culture, including the Language, Fashion, Cuisine, and Music.

Michael has three incredibly wonderful children; Michelle, a Sophomore at USF who is studying to become a Civil Engineer on the Air Force Scholarship, Michael (MB3) a Freshman at USF who has plans to play Football, and Yvonne, a Sophomore Cheerleader who is also on the Dance Team at Freedom High School.

He loves the Tampa Bay area and enjoys living the Florida lifestyle and the diverse culture offered here in the Bay area.