ABOUT US
Greg Leib, BBA
​
Co-Founder of Hard Times Horror Stories
​
Greg fully engages with Hard Times Horror Stories in efforts to entertain, but also, raise awareness of the hardships suffered by so many through engaging stories. Although many are in the midst of the greatest of hardtimes, hopes that humor; the desire for something positive to ensue, and interconnectivity, though fictional, arises from collective and individual experiences.
Greg began a distinguished career as investment banker for Bear Stearns of Chicago, later, moving to San Francisco . Greg worked with many high-profile firms such as LF Rothschild, Drexel Burnham, and Shearson/American Express as an investment banker and stockbroker. Greg subsequently left the world of investment banking , managing his portfolio by depositing money into mutual savings, which provided the option to buy if mutual savings went public at below book value.
​
Through Greg 's entrepreneurship, additional startups included BNK Invest Inc, a private company that owns and operates Market News Video , as well as BankInvestor and ValueForum — known for premier investor communities designed from the ground up focusing on investors within a private investment club community. Greg also purchased 209 Sand, then the largest as well as a key destination for companies to buy sand and gravel for the New York roads during winter months that covered three counties.
Greg started a wine import company called XLS Imports LLC in New York City. Having imported fine wines from all around the world, Greg and partners decided to focus on creating their own wine brand, and created Terra FossilL Wines, Inc. a private label wine brand. While executing his vision, Greg developed relationships with respectable vintners in Argentina, New Zealand and Italy, raising the creative bar focusing on superior quality to price ratio. Greg is also helping KillerBeam Entertainment films , which he co-founded, to succeed and prosper as well as Hard Times Horror Stories.
​​
​
Phyllis Thacker, MBA
​
Co-Founder of Hard Times Horror Stories
Phyllis fully engages with Hard Times Horror Stories in efforts to produce compelling stories, but also, raise awareness. While many are in the midst of the greatest of hardtimes, grief, and personal loss; it is with hope, the desire for something positive to arise from hardtimes, through interconnectivity and even humor from, though fiction, collective and individual experiences.
Phyllis embraced a diverse career, such as Emergency Medical Technician (EMT ) and medical assistant. While residing in a very rural area in AZ, Phyllis gave back to the community in volunteerism by establishing, with other like-minded individuals, the first ever EMT- Fire department in that exceptionally secluded area. Before that time, medical transport generally arrived in one hour or more , seriously diminishing the likelihood of a successful outcome.
​
Phyllis then pursued an Information Technology (IT) career. First, as computer instructor and technician for public elementary school. Later positions included instructing college level students in software, hardware, and Information Technology Systems classes. After completion of Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) training, Phyllis built the networking curriculum for one local four year private college and held the position of Information and Network Computing Systems Department Chair.
Phyllis continued her IT career with the City, serving on Request for Proposal ( RFP) committees, administrating servers and programs for greater than 34 different systems i communications department. Phyllis worked closely with vendors from Canada, Taiwan, United States, and others. Together with her team, Phyllis built and administrated five Emergency 9-1-1 Record Servers. Phyllis also has extensive sales experience. Phyllis supports Killerbeam Films Entertainment accomplishments as well.
​