Karim Ghachem

Biotech Finance Prodigy Sets Sights on New Music Label, Providence Records LLC

Kevin Vass has worked in Corporate Finance in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical industries for most of his career, but is now taking his skills to the business of music.

Vass works for Amgen, the world's largest biotechnology company, as a Senior Finance Manager. He previously worked for Johnson & Johnson in corporate finance and accounting roles and the Philadelphia Eagles as a marketing assistant.

Now, Vass has taken to the business of music by starting his own independent record label to launch Valencia Vas's new music album, Reflections. He named the label Providence Records, after the city where his two children, Aidan and Nadia, were born. "Providence has a lot of meaning and symbolism for me. It's a beautiful city and an important definition in my life." said Vass.

Vass's back ground is in finance and accounting and his wife's background is in music. "Valencia was performing oratorio and opera, but recognized the lack of consumer interest in the art. She wanted to take her music to a more commercial setting and I felt like I could help her," said Vass. "Given our different career paths, this record label is a natural convergence of skills for the two of us."

Vass's first order of business was planning and executing the recording, which occurred mostly in Budapest, Hungary and partly in Los Angeles. The album contains twelve textual songs with diverse vocals and expressive symphonic melodies.

"There are many things that I've learned from my corporate experience over the years that I can transfer to this business. The first one is using sound judgment to avoid waste. There are too many opportunities in the music industry to overspend and get nothing for it," said Vass who had a stint at Amgen driving productivity improvements in manufacturing operations.

"The second lesson is ensuring product quality. In the biotechnology industry, if the product is lacking in any way, a patient could die. Fortunately in the music business, the straits aren't that dire, but the principal is there. The quality needs to be there or people won't approve of the product, "said Vass.

"Ultimately, there is a balance between quality and cost effectiveness that the label needs to accomplish. Valencia is extremely educated in music. She received her masters in music from the University of Southern California and has performed in Southern California, New York and New England. To me, this knowledge of music and the experience of performing equates to a depth and quality in the music and, at the same time, efficiency in the studio," said Vass.

Karim Ghachem
KarimGhachem