Many of our clients and industry friends are unaware that EastCoast Entertainment’s ownership consists of a group of partners. Today the partnership announces it will be expanding the board by naming Kris Kaminski as partner. Kris rounds out a board of eight and is the first female named partner in the agency’s 40 year history.

Based in Richmond, Virginia, Kris began her career at ECE in 1988. Her parents owned Nightfire Productions, an entertainment agency which merged with EastCoast. Sheryl Benson, Kris’s mother, was the first female agent at EastCoast Entertainment. Kris started as a booking assistant for Lee Moore and quickly worked her way into becoming a full-time agent.

“Kris was my first of many protégés here at ECE. I knew she was going to be a superstar right away. Her concern for our company and our artists, her intelligent approach to solving problems, her relentless work ethic, her attention to detail, her moral commitment to always do the right thing and her incredible sense of humor all combine to give ECE an outstanding leader moving forward. I couldn’t be more proud of all Kris has accomplished in her three decades tenure at ECE,” says Lee Moore.

Kris’s early days at ECE. Can you also spot ECE partners, Lee Moore & John Wolfslayer? | Photo: Early 1990s.

Never one to shy away from the dance floor or karaoke, Kris is admired for her work hard/play hard mentality. | Photo left: Early 1990s | Photo right: Mid-2000s.

Throughout the 90’s, she was instrumental in developing EastCoast’s business strategies pertaining to the college and Greek Life markets. In the early 2000’s, she transitioned to performing arts – a new market for the agency offering much potential. Since then, she has excelled in the performing arts market yet still manages to book some weddings and corporate events for longtime clients.

Kris and her sister with Bonnie Raitt after a Music With Friends performance in Charlotte, NC. | Photo: 2011


Kris and Lee Moore at the Association of Performing Arts Presenters Conference in New York City. | Photo: 2013

“I could not be more excited about having Kris as our newest partner. For many years, I have counted on her for advice and expertise in our industry and business. To now be able to welcome my colleague and friend into our ownership group is a huge step for EastCoast as our company leaps into its next chapter,” states EastCoast Entertainment President and CEO, Doug Daniel.

We caught up with Kris to ask her about this new endeavor.

QUESTION: What does this partnership mean to you?
KRIS KAMINSKI: “It’s an incredible honor. I’ve seen the company grow from 2 offices to 13 and I have enormous respect for the original partners of ECE. They’ve devoted their lives into building and growing this company. They are to be commended for having the foresight in creating a model for the continued growth and success of the agency as they near retirement by bringing in additional partners. The newer partners are exceptionally talented in their own right, so to be asked to join this team is quite humbling. I sincerely appreciate their belief in me and I’m excited about the future of the company.”

QUESTION: What excites you most when you think about the future of ECE?
KRIS KAMINSKI: “Our potential is limitless. Truly. There is so much business out there… so much abundance. And we have the best job in the entire world! We get to help people have fun and break away from the ordinary day-to-day. If we keep our focus on that and serving our artists and clients well, we can only continue to grow.

QUESTION: Anything else you would like to add?
KRIS KAMINSKI: “I’ve been here close to 28 years now and I just feel so lucky, still, to be a part of this amazing agency and to work with so much talent: the artists, all the agents in every office and our entire support staff – they’re all such good, caring people. To have that ‘family’ feeling in such a large company, spread across 13 offices is an unusual cultural environment, but it’s there. It’s palpable and I love the connection and teamwork we share. We serve an outstanding group of artists. I am continually blown away by the talent, professionalism and integrity of the artists on our roster. Our presenters are also so much fun to work with and I adore how our agents are genuinely eager and excited to assist our buyers in finding the perfect artist for each and every event. It’s great to wake up every morning wondering what’s going to be amazing today. Somebody pinch me!”

Congratulations, Kris!