Built on Experience.
Driven by Mission.
Joel & Kelly Starkey
Meet Joel "Sparky" Starkey
Joel's career in live production started at age 15 in the San Francisco Bay Area — working as a grip, gaffer, and camera operator before moving into high-scale venue operations at the Shoreline Amphitheatre by 17. From stage lighting technician to Lighting Designer to formally trained Audio Engineer, he's spent 20+ years mastering every facet of live production.
A proud member of the Audio Engineering Society (AES) — the world's only professional society devoted exclusively to audio technology — Joel earned admission through demonstrated, documented contributions to the audio industry. He's recognized as a regional Subject Matter Expert (SME) in modern live production, equipment procurement, and signal flow architecture.
Joel served in the U.S. Air Force as a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO), with a background in security operations, air cargo planning and loading, and as the NCOIC of a CBRNE tactical team — the senior NCO responsible for leading a specialized unit trained to detect, respond to, and mitigate Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive threats. Recognizing his unique civilian technical background, the USAF appointed him Stage Technician and Manager for USAF Central Command, where he managed high-profile live events, promotion ceremonies, and international conferences. His career culminated in the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, assisting in critical refugee relocation efforts before medically retiring in 2022.
Co-founded with his wife Kelly in April 2024, SLP was born from a simple observation: communities in the Northeast deserve access to professional-grade live event production without the big-city price tag.
Advanced Certifications
Master-level proficiency in the industry's most advanced digital ecosystems
Allen & Heath dLive Master
Enterprise-level digital mixing system used in major touring and high-stakes broadcast environments. Ultra-low latency audio processing for complex mixing architectures.
Dante Audio Networking — Master
Industry-standard Audio over IP protocol. Design, implement, and troubleshoot complex digital networks transmitting hundreds of uncompressed audio channels — reducing hardware costs and setup time.
Waves SoundGrid Certified
High-speed, low-latency audio processing servers that bring studio-grade plug-ins into the live environment — delivering a premium sonic experience that sets SLP apart.
Educator & Mentor
Joel was recruited as a Theatre Tech Instructor for Mission Community College at just 19 years old. He currently serves as a Theatre Tech Instructor for two regional high schools, maintaining a strong connection to the local talent pipeline and educational community. That teaching foundation ensures SLP is built on standard-setting practices and rigorous technical training.
Meet Kelly Starkey
Kelly is the Co-owner and Office/Event Manager of SLP — the administrative backbone that keeps every event running smoothly. With 17 years as a Medical Transcriptionist, she brings an elite level of attention to detail and zero-margin-for-error precision to contracts, financial reporting, and business operations.
A former instructor at White Mountains Community College, Kelly taught Medical Transcription and Medical Terminology. That instructional background now drives SLP's internal training, standardized operating procedures, and clear client communication — translating the technical complexities of live production into actionable plans.
Kelly also spent five years as the Band Manager for Dube Krewe, handling booking, venue coordination, travel logistics, promoter relations, and financial oversight — real-world entertainment industry experience she applies to SLP every day.
As a military spouse who managed a household of five children through multiple combat deployments, Kelly developed exceptional planning, budgeting, and crisis-management skills. That resilience and adaptability is woven into everything she does at SLP — from invoicing and vendor payments to staffing logistics and client relations.
Kelly Starkey
Co-owner & Office/Event Manager
Our Mission
Deliver professional, safe, industry-standard event production — stage, audio, lighting, and manpower — so communities can run high-quality events without high cost, risk, or logistical burden.
What We Stand For
Safety First
Double-insured, ESA-trained crew, redundant systems. Every event follows Event Safety Alliance protocols — no shortcuts.
Integrity & Transparency
Transparent pricing, honest communication. If we make a mistake, we own it. No hidden fees, no surprises.
Reliability You Can Count On
We put $1,000 on the line — if SLP cancels your event, we pay you. That's how confident we are in our commitment.
Community Access
Premium quality at half the competitor price. We believe every community deserves a world-class event experience.
One-Stop Simplicity
Stage, audio, lighting, crew — all from one vendor. One call, one contract, ~3 hour setup. We handle the complexity so you don't have to.
Relationship-Driven
We're not a one-and-done vendor. We build lasting partnerships with repeat clients, venues, and community organizations.
Where We Serve
Based in Berlin, New Hampshire, we proudly serve all of New England — Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts. We're also available throughout the Northeast and nationwide for extended contracts (3+ months).