Andrew McLaughlin

Andrew McLaughlin

Founder

I’ve always been drawn to people who are the very best at what they do – artists and athletes like Whitney Houston, Meryl Streep, Serena Williams, RuPaul, Beyoncé, Michael Jordan, Oprah…individuals whose talent and discipline make excellence look effortless. That pursuit of mastery has been my own “why” since I was a kid, and it’s what led me from earning a bachelor’s degree in Voice and Leadership Studies and a master’s degree in Opera Performance, alongside a career in event production, to creating Aragon Artists.

Before founding Aragon, I spent years performing, producing, and curating experiences across the country, learning firsthand how transformative live entertainment can be when artistry, service, and passion come together. Those experiences shaped my vision for Aragon: a company built on creativity, collaboration, and an uncompromising commitment to excellence. Today, I’m proud to lead our team of extraordinary artists and professionals who live those values every day as we deliver exceptional entertainment and unforgettable celebrations.

When I’m not working, I’m usually traveling between Miami and New York or Chicago with my partner Jacob and our pomeranian, Bear – always chasing great meals, new fashion, creative inspiration, and the next adventure!

Johan Nebb
Director of Talent

Johan Nebb

Creative Director

Jacob Wilbanks

Director of Finance & Human Resources

Cathy Simko

Director of Event Delivery

Morgan Pirtle

Johan Nebb

Director of Talent

Johan Nebb

As Aragon’s Director of Talent, I bring more than a decade of experience as a bandleader, sound engineer, production manager, and event sales manager. Growing up in a family of professional musicians spanning generations of working guitarists including my sister, mother, grandfather, and great-grandmother, music and performance have always been at the core of my life. At Aragon Artists, I get to champion my vision of an authentic, artist-forward company rooted in collaboration and collective well-being. My goal is for every event partner, client, and performer to feel a sense of calm and confidence the moment we arrive, knowing our team will deliver a seamless, unforgettable experience.

Creative Director

Jacob Wilbanks

As Aragon’s Creative Director, I draw on my experience leading both luxury and contemporary brands across fashion and beauty – including Bloomingdale’s, Hervé Léger, and Glossier – to bring a balance of creativity and strategy to every project. At Aragon Artists, I channel my love for design, storytelling, and the arts to create moments that feel elevated and immersive. My passion for creativity and culture infuses each project with a refined sense of sophistication and magic. Outside of work, I’m an avid music lover and vinyl collector, with a tradition of picking up a record from every concert I attend -Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour being a standout. Those live experiences continually inspire how we bring entertainment to life for our clients.

Director of Finance & Human Resources

Cathy Simko

As Aragon’s Director of Finance and Human Resources, I oversee financial planning, risk management, record keeping, and reporting, keeping our numbers organized and our operations running smoothly. My background spans public accounting, tax and assurance services, and leading an accounting team for a technology startup, including running my own practice. I’m a licensed CPA with a BS in Accounting from George Mason University. I enjoy yoga, exploring local wineries, and negotiating daily with my labradoodle.

Director of Event Delivery

Morgan Pirtle

As Director of Event Delivery, I ensure every event runs seamlessly from planning to the final cue, overseeing logistics, collaborating with our artists and staff, and making sure each detail enhances the experience. Alongside my director role, I’m also a performer: the bandleader and vocalist for our Chicago-based dance band Affinity, and the lead vocalist of Daybreak, a project I share with my husband, Aaron. I earned my BM in Jazz Studies from the University of Illinois at Chicago and have performed internationally, honored as both a DownBeat Student Music Award recipient and Luminarts Fellow. When I’m not producing or performing, you’ll find me baking sourdough, tending to my garden, or cuddling my rescue pit bull, Tucker, sometimes with a foster pup in the mix.

Information & Systems Manager

Mabel Mateo

Maria Candia, Aragon Artists
Senior Production Manager

Maria Candia

Sales Manager

Matt Kilgo

Colette Pennacchio, Aragon Artists
Travel Manager

Colette Pennacchio

Production Manager

Jessica Iglesias

Wardrobe & Office Manager

Mya Rochaix

Booking & Production Manager
Sales & Talent Manager

Onyi Ekeh

Sound & Audio Visual Manager

Trey Findley

Sound Liason

Michael Capen

Wardrobe Assistant

Ariel Ebanks

Information & Systems Manager

Mabel Mateo

As Aragon’s Information & Systems Manager, I design and maintain the systems that support our team and keep our operations seamless. My career in events has always drawn me in with its fast pace and artistry, each production coming together like a collaborative, living piece of work. I’m passionate about finding structure within that creativity, building tools and processes that help big ideas come to life. Outside of work, I love to travel and find inspiration in new cultures, places, and experiences.

Maria Candia, Aragon Artists

Senior Production Manager

Maria Candia

As Senior Production Manager at Aragon, I oversee our Production Department and work closely with clients, planners, vendors, and musicians to ensure every detail runs smoothly from start to finish. I’ve always been energized by the connection live music creates. After earning my BA in Music Business, I built a career behind the scenes in venues, private events, and festivals, working with both local and headlining artists. Music has always been a part of my world, on stage, behind the scenes, or in the audience. Outside of work, I love to sing, spend time with my pets, and enjoy time with family.

Sales Manager

Matt Kilgo

As Aragon’s Sales Manager, I bring a hospitality-first mindset to every event, partnering with planners and clients to match them with entertainment that elevates their celebration. Nothing excites me more than seeing a client’s vision come to life. With a career grounded in hospitality and events, I’ve seen firsthand how thoughtful service shapes memorable experiences. I began in luxury hotels before moving into tech, where I led a sales team focused on loyalty and engagement. Outside the office, I’m usually exploring new coffee shops, crafting playlists, or trying out a new recipe.

Colette Pennacchio, Aragon Artists

Travel Manager

Colette Pennacchio

As Aragon’s Travel Manager, I coordinate, book, and oversee all travel logistics for our talent and production teams, ensuring every performer arrives prepared, on time, and ready to shine. My role spans flights, accommodations, ground transportation, and on-the-go problem solving with a calm, detail-driven approach. My passion for travel, paired with a background in corporate event planning and marketing in New York City, gives me the energy and expertise to manage even the most complex itineraries. Outside of work, I love exploring new destinations, spending time with my husband and two teenage children, running, and relaxing with a good book at the beach.

Production Manager

Jessica Iglesias

As Aragon’s Production Manager, I partner with planners, clients, and musicians to map out every detail, from early planning through the final cue, to ensure a seamless and memorable experience. I’m passionate about creating the emotional moments clients remember for a lifetime. My love for entertainment began as a dancer and later as a dance teacher, where I discovered how meaningful it is to create moments that move people. When I’m not on site, you’ll find me at a Pilates class, spending time with my dog, or enjoying a home-cooked meal with my fiancée.

Wardrobe & Office Manager

Mya Rochaix

As Aragon’s Wardrobe Assistant, I combine creativity, confidence, and detail, helping performers and clients express themselves and elevate every event through style. Fashion has always inspired me, especially its ability to shape how people feel. With a background in fashion and retail, I bring an understanding of how presentation influences experience, ensuring each wardrobe choice enhances the overall vision. I love seeing all the elements of an event come together and knowing that style helped create that magic. Outside of work, I explore fashion trends and find inspiration in art, music, and culture, embracing fashion as a form of self-expression.

Booking & Production Manager

Sales & Talent Manager

Onyi Ekeh

As Aragon’s Sales & Talent Manager, I oversee client relations, artist casting, and contracting, staying hands-on from the first conversation to the final cue. Originally from Germany, I came to the U.S. to pursue my passion for entertainment, earning a four-year acting degree in New York City before discovering my love for producing behind the scenes. For the past five years, I’ve produced live events of all sizes, blending creativity with meticulous execution. Outside of production, I stay active through health, fitness, modeling, and acting, creative outlets that inspire my work.

Sound & Audio Visual Manager

Trey Findley

As Aragon’s Sound & Audiovisual Manager, I bring together hands-on expertise in live audio/visual production, touring, and system design with a strong focus on project management and production leadership. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to the intersection of sound, technology, and live experience. I care deeply not just about how things sound or look, but about how teams communicate, plan, and execute, because the best events succeed when the technical and human sides of production work seamlessly together. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time at home with my wife and our young twins, finding balance between life on the road and life with family.

Sound Liason

Michael Capen

As Aragon’s Sound Liaison, I draw on my deep experience in live sound and dedication to precision, working closely with clients to craft the ideal acoustic experience for their event. I began my journey in audio as a volunteer in middle school, eventually mixing for bands around the world. At Aragon, When I’m not behind the console, I’m spending time with my wife and two sons, or in the garage working on cars, a longtime passion.

Wardrobe Assistant

Ariel Ebanks

As Aragon’s Wardrobe Assistant, I support productions by ensuring costumes are performance-ready. I love being part of the behind-the-scenes magic and knowing that my work helps performers feel confident to fully step into their roles. The highlight of my career is being able to work professionally in a field I am truly passionate about. I have had the pleasure to travel the world with Celebrity cruise line, opening award winning shows, helping design and create for “Frozen” the Broadway Musical, and tailoring for celebrities such as Teyanna Taylor, Little Kim, and Summer Walker to name a few. In my spare time I love to sew and spend time with my dog and a fun fact about me is I know Waiting to Exhale word by word, scene by scene. I am inspired to work in this field because I’ve always loved seeing nothing turn into something-from an idea, to paper, to a fully realized, physical piece. There’s something incredibly powerful about taking a concept and bringing it to life with my own hands. What excites me most is the collaboration and the fast-paced environment where creativity and craftsmanship meet. My family is from Jamaica and Antigua and I love celebrating my culture and learning new things about it and others.