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 BLUE COLLAR GRIT. MEETS WORLD CLASS PEDIGREE.

Damn Yankee Gold is a collision of heavy industry veterans and world-class storytellers. We combine the authenticity of the mine shaft with the cinematic execution of a blockbuster.

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MINE BOSS | HOST

DAN YANKE

Owner, Golden Eagle Mine | Lead Geologist

With 40 years of metallurgical mastery, Dan is the "Rock 'n' Roll Cowboy Geologist." He isn't playing a character; he is leveraging a lifetime of high-stakes industrial turnarounds. Known for his "Narrow High-Grade Select" mining philosophy, Dan rejects the corporate model of tearing down mountains. Instead, he uses surgical precision and "old school" grit to extract wealth where others see only waste.

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OPERATOR | CO-HOST

CARL YANKE

Mill Superintendent | Tactical Operations

Dan’s right hand and the master of "Flotation Chemistry." Carl bridges the gap between old-school intuition and modern science. Whether he is rebuilding a 100-year-old ball mill or calculating fluid dynamics for the concentrator, Carl is the tactical engine that turns raw rock into shippable product.

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EXECUTIVE PRODUCER | SHOW RUNNER

JACOB BRUMFIELD

CO\\OP Studios, CEO | Creative Development Executive

Jacob is the architect of the "Creative Industrial" model. With a background in developing marketing campaigns for studio blockbusters and producing top-level content, he bridges the gap between creative vision and enterprise-level execution. He founded CO\\OP Studios to bypass traditional Hollywood gatekeepers, building a self-sustaining media ecosystem in Idaho that treats content as a scalable asset class.

  • Focus: Corporate Strategy, Global Infrastructure, Market Disruption.

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EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

JOHN VAN BUREN

CO\\OP Studios, Head of Private Equity | CEO, Rovn Gray

John is a visionary Executive Producer at the forefront of tech-infused filmmaking. As CEO of Rovn Gray, he pioneers proprietary AI systems for high-potential asset acquisition and valuation. For Damn Yankee Gold, John applies this data-driven rigor to optimize IP value and analyze market opportunities. Combining Silicon Valley precision with Hollywood storytelling, he actively structures strategic financing partnerships, positioning the project for global prominence and investor returns.

  • Focus: AI Integration, Asset Valuation, Capital Formation, Finance.

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EXECUTIVE PRODUCER | DIRECTOR

RUSSELL FRIEDENBERG

CO\\OP Studios, Sr. Advisor | Creative Development Executive

An award-winning writer and director (Wind Walkers, Among Ravens), Russell acts as the narrative architect of the series. With extensive experience developing, producing, and writing unscripted content, he specializes in extracting cinematic storylines from real-time events. He moves beyond simple observation, shaping raw industrial chaos into sophisticated, character-driven arcs that rival scripted drama in pacing and emotional weight.

  • Focus: Unscripted Development, Narrative Structure, Series Arc.

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EXECUTIVE PRODUCER | STORY PRODUCER

TASHIA YEATES-BRUMFIELD

CO\\OP Studios, Sr. Advisor | The Narrative Architect

Tashia manages the chaos. In an environment where plans change by the minute due to broken equipment or geological surprises, she identifies the story threads and weaves them into cohesive episodes. She is the bridge between the dirt of the mine and the polish of the edit bay.

  • Focus: Unscripted Development, Narrative Structure, Series Arc.

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EXECUTIVE PRODUCER | DIRECTOR

WESLEY ALLEY

 CO\\OP Studios, Chief Production Officer | Creative Development Executive

An award-winning director and producer with a prolific track record in narrative film and commercial production. Wesley’s background blends high-concept visual storytelling with logistical mastery. He ensures that Damn Yankee Gold doesn't look like a reality show—it looks like a movie.

  • Focus: Visual Language, Production Quality, Brand Integration.

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EXECUTIVE PRODUCER | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

JOELLE ATER

CO\\OP Studios, Sr. Member | Creative & Community Development

Joelle sits at the intersection of high art and human connection. A dynamic abstract expressionist painter exhibited from British Vogue to the Louvre, she brings a "poetic intensity" to the production’s creative culture. As a leader in the Boise arts community, Joelle ensures that Damn Yankee Gold isn't just a technical display, but a culturally resonant brand that empowers the local ecosystem. She translates creative vision into actionable community strategy.

  • Focus: Creative Strategy, Cultural Resonance, Community Ecosystem.

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EXECUTIVE PRODUCER 

ANGIE BROOK MAIER

CO\\OP Studios, Sr. Member | Strategic Relationship Development

Angie Brooke Maier operates at the nexus of strategic talent acquisition and human-centric leadership. With two decades of experience spanning sales, real estate, and human resources, she brings a "dynamic synergy" to professional matchmaking and team development. As a dedicated advocate for community growth and integrity, Angie ensures that her professional endeavors are more than just business transactions—they are honest, loyal partnerships designed to lift others up and empower them to shine. She translates a lifetime of high-stakes business development into a roadmap for personal and professional empowerment.

  • Focus: Strategic Matchmaking, Human-Centric Leadership, Community Advocacy.

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FIELD PRODUCER | DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

SEAN C. MEHEN

CO\\OP Studios, Sr. Member | Cinematographer

A veteran cinematographer with a diverse portfolio of narrative and commercial work. Sean treats the mine shaft like a cathedral, utilizing Red Komodo cinema cameras and prime lenses to capture the claustrophobic beauty of the underground. His lighting and composition elevate Damn Yankee Gold above the "run-and-gun" aesthetic of standard reality TV.

  • Focus: Image Acquisition, Overall Look, Operations. 

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CHIEF EDITOR | POST PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR

LUKE ASA GUIDICI

CO\\OP Studios, Sr. Member | Post Production Producer

Luke brings a mastery of genre-bending storytelling to the edit bay. With a credit list that includes the visceral stakes of Invincible, the meta-narrative complexity of Community, and the hybrid improvisation of HarmonQuest, he is uniquely qualified to shape the "Cinematic Universe" of Damn Yankee Gold. Luke moves beyond standard reality cuts, using his background in scripted and animated storytelling to craft episodes that balance industrial grit with character-driven humor and high-octane pacing.

  • Focus: Genre Blending, Narrative Rhythm, Cult-Following Engagement.

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FIELD PRODUCER | CINEMATOGRAPHER

CHRIS BURNS

CO\\OP Studios, Sr. Member | Cinematographer

Chris is a heavy-hitter in the unscripted world, with credits that define the genre. From the character-driven empire of Duck Dynasty to the fabrication stakes of Car Masters: Rust to Riches and the high-pressure competition of Project Runway, Chris knows how to capture lightning in a bottle. He specializes in finding the emotional pulse within the industrial spectacle, ensuring that the camera doesn't just capture the action, but connects with the operator behind the machine. His lens ensures the show’s grit is matched by genuine human heart.

  • Focus: Unscripted Mastery, Industrial Fabrication, Emotional Storytelling.

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FIELD PRODUCER | CINEMATOGRAPHER

GREG WILSON

CO\\OP Studios, Sr. Member | Cinematographer

Greg operates at the bleeding edge of imaging technology. An Emmy Award-winning cinematographer known for his work on "Blue Chip" natural history series like America the Beautiful (Disney+) and high-stakes documentaries like Zion (Netflix), Greg specializes in capturing the impossible. He brings a level of technical innovation to Damn Yankee Gold that is typically reserved for major studio features, treating the hazardous depths of the mine with the same visual reverence as a planetary wonder.

  • Focus: Blue Chip Visuals, Technical Innovation, Extreme Environments.

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