Who We Are

History & Operations

The Global Z Recording Project was founded by Executive Director & President, Dr. William Lord. the organization formally filed articles of corporation with the state of Colorado, August 2014. The organization received nonprofit 501 (c)(3) status February 2015. Dr. Lord relocated to the state of Maryland, and restructured the organization as a Maryland-based nonprofit corporation April 2017.

Leadership

Dr. William (Bill) LordBill Lord headshot
Founder, Executive Director and President
Occupation: Senior Training Specialist, ISD & Distance Learning
Employer: USDA

Dr. Lord is the Executive Director and President. He holds a Doctorate in Adult Education, Training & Development – International Communication and has a MA in Educational Media, Media Production – Distance Learning. He grew up and began playing music at the age of five in  Woodstock, New York. He has been in regional bands, has extensive experience with audio production equipment and processes, and is an award-winning commercial/ fine art photographer and songwriter. Bill is employed as a Senior Training Specialist with the US Department of Agriculture. Previously, he worked in the field of higher education for almost 20 years where he consulted with faculty on matters pertaining to instructional design, multicultural online learning, distance education, and educational technologies. In all capacities he produced multimedia-based support materials and developed international partnerships via Internet-based communication tools. Research interests include exploring the use of computer-mediated communication technologies in the multicultural, multilingual online learning environment, and Cultural Historical Activity Theory.

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Dr. Jonathan Cresci
Chairman of the Board
Director of Audio Production
Occupation: Producer, engineer, performer and educator
Chief Musical Officer: Fundamental Sounds
Employer: Independent Record Label & Audio Production Company; Texas A&M-Kingsville; Frederick Community College; Montgomery College

Jonathan maintains a career as a producer, engineer, performer and educator. He has performed and lectured at the Southeastern Horn workshop at Appalachian State and International Horn Symposiums in San Francisco and Denton.  He is a member of the Artist Faculty for the National Trumpet Competition.  Jonathan has given recitals and master classes at the University of Memphis, York College, and the Peabody Institute.  He has performed with the Acadiana and Lake Charles Symphonies, Chorale Acadiane, Orpheum Theater, York Symphony, Maryland Chamber Orchestra, and The Mt. Vernon Brass Consort. Jonathan is a panelist at the Music and Gaming Festival.  Through his company, Fundamental Sounds, Jonathan has recorded Chris Gekker, the Maryland Symphony, and the Prince Georges Philharmonic.  He has also recorded and produced albums including Greg Small’s “Singularity” and Kyle Millsap’s “Scatter the Darkness”. Jonathan is Assistant Professor of Sound Recording Technology at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Adjunct Professor of Music for Audio Production at Frederick Community College, faculty at Montgomery College.  His areas of scholarship are natural trumpet performance, trumpet pedagogy, recording arts and science, and American popular music.  Dr. Cresci earned a doctoral degree from the University of Memphis, a master’s degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and a bachelor’s degree from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University in both trumpet performance and recording arts and sciences.

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Mr. Alex Floor                                                               
Director of Information Technology
Occupation: Senior Manager of Network Engineering
Employer: Intersection

Alex is a lifelong technologist with a formal career in Information Technology beginning in 2001. He is currently a Senior Manager of Network Engineering at Intersection, an ad-tech company. While there, he has cheerfully connected people, workplaces, and products to the internet and each other, and has kept it all secure, even through a global pandemic. Alex has also helped bring free Wi-Fi to cities around the world including London, New York, Philadelphia, and New Rochelle. Growing up in a musical family, music has always been a part of his life, . Alex has written songs which have prompted articles in the online publication Indie Rock Cafe. He has practiced classical guitar with Michael Cioffero, and songwriting with Bess Rogers.

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James ConnellJ Connell headshot
General Counsel
Occupation: Attorney
Employer: Connell Law

James Connell is an attorney working at the intersection of human rights, criminal defense, and national security, with a side passion for music law. James has represented clients in the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Military Commissions at Guantanamo Bay, and before various United Nations and other international human rights bodies. James assists musicians with licensing, contracts, and the many other legal aspects of modern music. James is working toward a Master’s degree in Music Business from Berklee College of Music, expected 2024, with a thesis on copyright in AI-assisted music. James is general counsel for the startup indie label Thixotropic Music. His website is www.connell.law and his Instagram is @connell.law.

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Meghan SkeltonMeghan Skelton headshot
General Counsel
Occupation: Attorney
Employer: Skelton Law, LLC

Meghan is an attorney with more than twenty-five years’ experience focusing on appellate litigation and criminal defense. Her human rights advocacy has spanned
litigating on behalf of a Guantanamo Bay detainee who survived the CIA’s torture program, to protecting digital privacy, to representing individuals facing the injustices of
the criminal legal system as an Assistant Federal Public Defender. Although she mainly practices in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, she has argued appeals in federal circuit courts across the country. Meghan is also passionate about helping artists and musicians protect their copyright and intellectual property. She regularly works with Maryland Volunteer Attorneys for the Arts and helps creatives navigate the legal aspects of their artistic careers. Meghan received an AB from Duke University and her JD, Order of the Coif, from William and Mary Law School.

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Our Exceptional Subject Matter Expert Volunteers

Global Z has attracted interest and assistance from more than 20 Subject Matter Expert Volunteers from leading institutions of higher learning and peace education located across North America and around the globe. We are actively recruiting additional volunteers to expand the cultural diversity of our experts. Please see People and Partners for more information.