About Us
Ugly Dog Entertainment is a dynamic New York-based television and film company, led by CEO AC Roe and CFO Rick Van Meter. Since its launch in 2022, Ugly Dog Entertainment has quickly made its mark in the industry. By 2023, the company was already producing its first major project, The Conversations Project for Hulu. This groundbreaking series draws inspiration from the salons of the Harlem Renaissance, bringing together Black philosophers, actors, chefs, athletes, astronauts, and more for thought-provoking dinner conversations. The show has garnered critical acclaim, including award nominations and wins.
Recognized by ReelScreen in the Small Companies, Big Ideas column, Ugly Dog Entertainment continues to build momentum. With over 200 hours of programming experience among its founders, the company is refining its 2024-2025 slate to present to buyers. Their current documentary series tackles the pressing issue of Michigan's catastrophic auto crash survivors, who are losing vital care and lives alarming rates. While still in Production, Ugly Dog is already going head-to-head with Michigan’s most influential politicians and power brokers to uncover the truth.
The Ugly Dogs
AC Roe CEO / Executive Producer/Director
Originally from the World of stand-up, AC transitioned into producing in 2016 when he first partnered with Mark Wahlberg’s Unrealistic Ideas and fell in love with the development and production process. He's produced more than 100 live comedy specials/broadcasts with Mike Birbiglia, Roy Wood Jr., Ronny Chieng, Jeff Ross, Sherrod Small, Cipha Sounds, Todd Barry, Michael Che, Dan Soder Rosebud Baker, Dolce Sloan, Josh Adam Meyers, and countless others. AC has produced shows for the Food Network, HGTV, Oxygen, Magnolia, and others.
Rick Van Meter CFO / Executive Producer/Director
Rick Van Meter Rick Van Meter founded No Ego Films, a New York-based production company. Rick has produced over 200 hours of broadcast television for ABC, HULU, HBO, IFC, MTV, NBC, Oxygen, CNBC, and TNT. No Ego Films is in pre-production on a film about the Red Ball Express and several other non-fiction projects. Rick's passion is true stories and the people behind them, and he is excited to be a partner with Ugly Dog Entertainment to continue bringing stories that matter.
Our Team
Tracey Baker-Simmons - Executive Producer
Tracey Baker-Simmons - Executive Producer
Tracey Baker-Simmons - Executive Producer
Tracey Baker-Simmons is a veteran of film and television. She produced the TV-One Biopic Bobbi Kristina. Baker-Simmons also created the pop culture phenomenon, the Bravo reality series Being Bobby Brown, starring controversial music legends Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston.
She has several projects in development at various networks and has been working as an Executive Producer on projects for networks such as A&E, Lifetime, Bravo, VH1, WeTV, and, currently, Showtime.
Jennifer Chory - Producer
Tracey Baker-Simmons - Executive Producer
Tracey Baker-Simmons - Executive Producer
Jennifer Chory is a Jill of all Trades. After graduating from Hofstra University, Jen landed her first production gig with Project Runway during Heidi Klum's years. After two seasons in production and talent management for Runway, Jen moved to The Jerry Springer Show as a booking AP. Her career took off, and she landed her next job with Chopped on The Food Network, working with production and talent in the AD department. She gained valuable experience, which led to her next gig as a lead field UPM for Teen Mom and other MTV staples. After over a decade as a UPM, Jen began producing for networks such as HBO, ABC, FOX, HGTV, and Hulu. She loves meeting real people, hearing and telling their stories, and is excited to collaborate with Ugly Dog Entertainment.
Ahmed Fallat - Head of Production
Tracey Baker-Simmons - Executive Producer
Michael Clevenger - Director of Photography
Ahmed started his career at age 22 at World Wrestling Entertainment, creating content for two of the world's highest-rated and longest-running professional sports entertainment shows. From there, he worked on National Geographic’s Border Wars, the TruTV Hit Series South Beach Tow, and multiple projects with Dwyane “The Rock” Johnson.
His Jersey Boy Films group aims to create unique, captivating programming that can deliver exciting stories to mass audiences via television and online video-on-demand services. He has also helped produce multiple commercials and smaller projects, including two award-winning commercials for the German PETA organization.
Michael Clevenger - Director of Photography
Tiffany Walker - Head Accountant
Michael Clevenger - Director of Photography
Michael Clevenger has been a successful Director of Photography in NYC for over fifteen years. Creating content for over 50 clients globally, his work includes an official selection at the Cannes International Film Festival. He brings a unique perspective, incredible work ethic, and deep passion for his work. When he's not framing up shots, he enjoys spending time with his wife and 3 year old daughter.
Jamie O'Connor - Head of Post Production
Tiffany Walker - Head Accountant
Tiffany Walker - Head Accountant
Jamie O’Connor is a post-production supervisor working in the television industry since the early 1990s. She started with Executive Producer Kevin Bright when he joined Marta Kauffman and David Crane to form the production company Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions, producers of Friends. In 2000, her career took another turn when she relocated to New York City to work as the Post Production Supervisor on unscripted shows such as Queer Eye For The Straight Guy, Boston’s Finest, and the Natural History series Tiny Creatures, which won the Daytime Emmy for Best Adventure and Travel Series.
Tiffany Walker - Head Accountant
Tiffany Walker - Head Accountant
Tiffany Walker - Head Accountant
Bio Coming Soon
Networks & Studios
