He’s best known as the record executive who took the helm as chairman and CEO of Interscope Geffen A&M Records back in 2012—a major milestone in his already impressive career. Over the years, he’s built a reputation for spotting talent early, and one of his standout moves was signing bands like Fall Out Boy, Panic! at the Disco, and Paramore through Fueled by Ramen, the indie label he helped launch. That label eventually caught the attention of Warner Music Group, which acquired it, further boosting his industry standing.

Before rising to the top at Interscope, he made waves as co-president of Elektra Records under Warner Music Group, where he played a key role in managing platinum-selling superstars such as Bruno Mars and Ed Sheeran. His knack for nurturing artists didn’t stop there—during his time with Interscope, he continued shaping the music scene by producing hit songs across a wide range of genres and personally bringing stars like Selena Gomez and Tame Impala into the fold.

But his journey didn’t start in a boardroom. Long before fame, while still in high school, he dipped his toes into the music world as a promoter. He had a passion for sharing music, often burning mix CDs of his favorite tracks and selling them to friends—an early sign of his ear for what resonates. That entrepreneurial spark led him, along with Less Than Jake drummer Vinnie Fiorello, to co-found Fueled by Ramen in 1996 during his first year at the University of Florida.

On a personal note, he shares his life with his wife Mia, and together they’re proud parents to two sons and an adopted daughter. Through every chapter—from college-era label founder to leading one of the most influential record companies—he’s remained a driving force in the evolution of modern music.