MEET THE CREW
Mando Rayo
Mando Rayo is an author, taco expert, blogger and CEO & Engagement Strategist at Mando Rayo + Collective, a multicultural digital agency based in Austin, TX.
Mando is the author of the book, Austin Breakfast Tacos: The Story of the Most Important Taco of the Day and the upcoming book, The Tacos of Texas to be published by University of Texas Press in the Fall of 2016. Mando’s work has been featured in The New York Times, Bon Appetite, NPR, Texas Monthly and The Food Network.
Jarod Neece
Jarod Neece has been with the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival and Conference in Austin,TX since 2002. He is the festival’s Producer and Senior Programmer with an emphasis on Fiction Feature and Genre Programming. As Producer he oversees the Film Festival & Conference and manages the daily festival operations. He is a member of numerous Advisory Boards and has been a juror or panelist at a number of festivals and organizations, including Cannes, Sundance, TIFF, Fantastic Fest, Fantasia, the McKnight Filmmaking Fellowship & Independent Film Week. He is also the co-founder and editor of the popular Austin food blog, TacoJournalism.com, co-writer of the local bestselling book, “Austin Breakfast Tacos: The Story of the Most Important Taco of the Day” and co-author of the upcoming book, “The Tacos of Texas.”
Dennis Burnett
I am a freelance photographer based in Austin Texas. I have recently relocated to Austin TX, after spending the last decade in the beautiful, historic city of Savannah Georgia. I attended SCAD earning a BFA in photography with honors. I worked in their work study program and was hired to join their staff as a photographer. It was there I honed my skills of being a director, photographer, film maker and caretaker. I am able to fulfill the needs of editorial, commercial and corporate clients with an eye for detail, a sense of humor and a style rooted in documentary photography. Much of my personal work focuses on the stories of observation, true emotion and authentic moments all developing into a story of being human.
Marco Torres
Marco Torres is an freelance editorial photographer and music journalist based in Houston, Texas. He has documented his city’s rich music, art, and taco scene since 2004. As a Mexican-American, Torres grew up surrounded by food and family, and listening exclusively to corridos and cumbias at his parents’ home. Torres was raised in Houston’s North Side, and later attended Jones Senior High in Houston’s South Park district at the height of the DJ Screw era, fueling his love for Houston Rap. Torres credits his high school band director, Mr. Ronald J. Cole, for introducing and teaching him Jazz, Funk, Blues, and Soul music. He attended and graduated from the University of Saint Thomas where he majored in International Studies and Business. As a photography assistant, Torres has worked under famed San Antonio glamour photographer Rolando Gomez and Los Angeles based entertainment photographer Estevan Oriol. Torres’ work has been featured in multiple Voice Media Group outlets, including The Houston Press, LA Weekly, Dallas Observer, and Miami New Times. His photos have also been published in Texas Monthly, The New York Times, Billboard Magazine, and Rolling Stone Magazine. Clients include Red Bull, Nike, Remy Martin, The National MS Society, CenterPoint Energy, and more.
Pepe Yz
Pepe Yz is a Chilean-American visual artist who has been working professionally for the past 50 years with a focus on abstract expressionism. He has had exhibitions in New York, Europe and Chile. He has two beautiful grand-daughters and two children and now resides in Austin, TX.
Tanya Ramirez
I’m a native Laredoan living and working in Nashville, TN. As a Texas-made graphic designer, I strive to create innovative, fun and engaging work (with a little Tex-Mex flair) through the art of visual design. When I’m not designing I’m out searching for my new favorite taco joint and drinking tequila.