Westwind Media, a premier sound design and audio post production facility, has announced that highly regarded industry veteran Doug Kent has joined the company as partner and president. Westwind also welcomes re-recording mixers Joe Earle, CAS, and Gabriel J. Serrano, CAS, to its talented roster, which includes recent addition Christian P. Minkler, CAS. With the growing team, Westwind’s award-winning creative talent continues to elevate storytelling for its episodic and feature film clients.
“This is a remarkable opportunity to shape a lasting legacy in the industry,” says Kent. “It’s also an opportunity to foster a business that reflects the expansive culture of Los Angeles, one that better represents the city I live in and grew up in. A person can always affect change, but I’m excited to contribute to and influence the future of our company from this leadership position.”
Kent’s dedication, technical skills, and deeply rooted relationships with both clients and talent have made him one of the most respected leaders in the industry. During a 15-year stint at Technicolor, he last held the title of senior vice president. Kent most recently served as SVP of Formosa Group.
On his move to Westwind, Kent notes, “This facility is a home for creatives. Westwind is a boutique studio, which enhances our ability to connect with our clients and support our talent.”
Joining Kent at Westwind is the sound mixing team of Joe Earle and Gabriel Serrano. Joe Earle is a legend in the industry and was the 2024 recipient of the CAS Career Achievement Award. With four Emmy Awards (most recently for American Crime Story and Glee) and 24 nominations, in addition to two Golden Reel Awards and 14 nominations, his numerous credits include Six Feet Under, Dexter, Meet Joe Black and Reservation Dogs. Before joining Westwind, Earle worked at Formosa Group, Technicolor, Soundelux Vine Street and Todd A-O/Glenn. Earle is a graduate of the USC Film School and serves as a Governor of the TV Academy Sound Peer Group Committee.
“This is a very exciting time for Westwind, and I’m happy to be a part of it,” Earle says. “Doug and I started out in the business together, we’ve worked with each other on and off over the years, and I’m glad we get to do it again. He has a vision, a group of incredibly talented people around him, and a desire to make an impact. Westwind puts the clients first and gets things done. And that’s always a good thing.”
Gabriel Serrano joins the Westwind team following a successful stint at the Formosa Group. After receiving an MFA in Film Production from the University of Southern California, Serrano began working as a sound engineer and mix technician, then advanced his career to become a re-recording mixer. His credits include John Wick: Chapter 2, Fire Country, Reservation Dogs, Snowfall and Expendables 1, 2 and 3.
“Joe and I became a team in 2021 during the pandemic,” notes Serrano. “I was honored to work with him, and we’ve been on this ride together ever since. It’s great to be working with Doug again and to really dig in on some exciting projects.”
After working on several projects at Westwind, Christian Minkler formally joined the team under the leadership of founding partner John Bidasio. Recent projects have included Bridgerton, Big Sky and The White Lotus.
“Westwind has been a great place to work, and the vision for the road forward is very exciting,” Minkler says. “I look at Westwind as an opportunity to be a part of something, to help build something, and I think there is a lot of success ahead.”
Minkler is the fourth generation in his family to work in motion picture sound. He began his career with Skywalker Sound, Los Angeles, working on The Crow and shortly thereafter, Oliver Stone’s Natural Born Killers. He received an Oscar nomination for his work on Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, BAFTA nominations for Babel and Greyhound, and CAS nominations for all three films. Minkler is an active member of the AMPAS, CAS and ATAS.
In addition to the expanding talent roster, Westwind’s executive team has grown with the appointment of Nicole Zabala as Vice President of Strategy and Business Development. Zabala brings extensive experience to the company, including tenures with both Technicolor and Formosa Group. Her impressive career includes an Emmy nomination for her work in VFX.
“Westwind offers a unique sense of community, and it’s only growing under Doug’s leadership,” notes Zabala. “I’m looking forward to introducing new clients to the Westwind experience — feel comfortable, feel taken care of, and work with some of the most talented artists in the business.”
“The team at Westwind has been one of the best-kept secrets in town,” Kent concludes. “And now with the addition of Christian, and Joe, Gabe and Nicole coming on board, the team has become even stronger. I look forward to coming to work every day. It is an honor to be working with everyone here.”
About Westwind Media
In 1997, Westwind Media (www.wwm.tv) was founded by award-winning episodic content creators to expand their creative storytelling tools with sound. Over 25 years later, Westwind is still delivering the highest-level audio post production services for episodics, movies and emerging media. Specializing in sound design, mixing and audio post production, Westwind has an industry-leading facility with four Dolby ATMOS mix stages, ADR stage and ADR isolation suites, Foley stage, Sound Design, Sound Editorial and Final Mix. Westwind is located in Burbank, CA, but with our remote services, you can hear us from anywhere in the world in real time. Follow Westwind on X, Facebook and LinkedIn.
