Our Team
Our Team
So We are a growing group of experienced individuals. Looking to make a difference in our world through entertainment. We believe that we become what we think about.We believe that entertainment serves as a vision board for society, like a great big preview for coming attractions in our collective life. So in order to create positive changes in society, we believe in creating the kind of world we want to see… in entertainment! Telling stories that bring us together, giving children new role models, adults new understanding, and communities new ideals. Ghandi said: Be the change you want to see in the world. The Lightning Bugs agree! And we say: Write, record, and broadcast the change you want to see in the world!
Our Principles:
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reated The Lightning Bugs Inc., a multimedia non-profit on the web at (onebug.org). His passion for this project is one of a mad man some would say, working day and night to make this vision a reality. Mr. Horne is an actor, composer and singer and his original musical compositions can be heard on the soundtracks for numerous television shows such as America’s Next Top Model and Weeds, and on film soundtracks like festival favorite All About You, and Tupac Shakur documentary Thug Angel. Troy has been blessed with an extensive career as a performer, including starring in the Broadway musical RENT, and performing at famous venues from Vienna’s City Hall to Universal Studios Japan to Red Rocks in Colorado. His travels and exposure to various peoples are what led Troy to believe that more exposure to different ideas and cultures creates more understanding. He is proud to be spearheading this project and hopes that you will join him in making our dream world a reality.
Elizabeth Karsell Horne (Vice President)
Brings together her passion and experience from two complimentary fields for this project. Her background in Education includes many years of teaching English as a Second Language, both in the United States at schools such as Language Systems International, and in Japan through the Aeon Corporation. Ms. Karsell Horne also has a strong background in story development and production, working at such film companies as WB Films in Los Angeles, and Michael Douglas’s Furthur Films in New York. She has managed production offices, and produced and written staged theatre productions. Ms. Karsell Horne holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications and Music from DePauw University. For the project: The Lightning Bugs, Elizabeth Karsell Horne will serve as advisor, assisting in coordinating and leading the various stages of the project, and maintaining progress and accountability.
Richard Sotiros graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1979. Richard has extensive experience in both public and private accounting. His current client base includes restaurants, retailers, contractors, not-for-profits, service providers and manufacturers. His clients look to him primarily for accounting, audit, tax and management consulting services. sotiros.com
Lila Gracey, (Fundraising Advisor)
Ms. Gracey (Founder of Grace Concepts) has worked with numerous organizations across the country, including a two-year contract with the Democratic National Committee (DNC). As Director of the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council, Ms. Gracey headed the most successful fundraising council at the DNC
Ms. Gracey served as director of donor resources for the Gill Foundation, guiding philanthropy education programs for independent major donors nationwide.
She also served as programs director for The Women’s Foundation of Colorado. Here she established grant-application and grant-review procedures, identified programs for funding and worked to establish more equal partnerships between the foundation and nonprofit organizations.
From 1993 to 1995, Ms. Gracey was chief of staff to Swanee Hunt, U. S. Ambassador to Austria. Ms. Gracey also served Hunt in the United States for several years as the chief of staff for Hunt’s political and business activities. Ms. Gracey oversaw a professionally diverse staff and guided grant making initiatives in mental health, housing and homelessness, the expansion of reproductive options for women and poverty programs. http://www.graceconcepts.com
Cori Jacobs (Music Supervisor)
Cori Jacobs is a leader in the music industry. With a laundry list of credits to his name he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team. Here is a list of some of Mr. Jacobs credits.
Main keyboards for interscope artist “X Factor” 1/95 – 12/97,Main keyboards for Cherrelle 12/98, Musical director for George Clinton 11/2000 – 5/2001,Writer/keyboardist for KC & Jo Jo producer “Gray room music” 2001- present,Main keys for Tina Marrie. (Pre-grammy party),Main keys for David Hollister. (spot date), Main keys for Def Jam artist Jonell. (spot date),Studio consultant and mastering engineer for Kim Fields cd “Smooth is spoken here, Main keys for Brooke Valentine 3/05,Writer, consultant, engineer, and production for Atlantic recording artist “HOPE” 4/2000 – 8/05,Production for the song “2 B by you” featured on the Soul food TV series, Production instrumental for the Wanda Sykes TV show. 9/06, Keyboards and Co-production for Michelle (Destiny’s child) “Peace on earth” 8/07, Musical director for Sly Stone and main keyboard player. 12/08 and many more. Learn more about Cori Jacobs at http://www.themasterfader.com/
Rance Poole – (Lead Graphic Artist, Character Animator)
The lifelong pursuit is becoming a reality, Character Animator Rance Poole has always been “drawn to life” and to the wonderment of Traditional animation, as he has worked for Company’s such as Celluloid Studios CPTV, and later Learn2.com. As freelance animator and teacher, Rance has worked on several freelance projects and has been animating over the last nine years. The Graduate from CU Boulder’s Fine Art department, with an emphasis in drawing and painting and a minor in graphic design; it wasn’t until a television special on Walt Disney Animation that I realized just how powerful a drawing could be, and I became inspired, to learn as much as I could about this art form and all its endless wonders and possibilities.





