ABOUT ECT PRODUCTIONS

Our resident Master of Ceremonies and Head of Production, Aleck is a Peer and Production Support Specialist with over two decades of experience as an event producer and promoter, content specialist, and as a recording and performing artist in his own right. Known as Aleck Smart the MC before he became the original East Coast Turtle, he is a poet, baker, former educator and journalist who founded Aleck's Mart and directly oversees ECT's videography and vending departments. Aleck utilizes backgrounds in multimedia as well as culinary production to make sure events and content production sessions capture the sights and flavors clients imagine. Aleck also completed Peer Support Specialist training through the state of Mississippi and offers experience-based support to artists, event promoters, and content producers navigating challenging spaces on a variety of healing and/or recovery journeys. 

Valene is the Lead Audio Engineer for ECT Productions, though he also serves in a variety of additional technical, creative, logistical, and support capacities for ECT and the incredible clients we serve. A dedicated professional who epitomizes flexibility and efficacy, Valene has supported hundreds of acts and events in the New Orleans area over the last six years. Originally from Spanish Harlem, New York, he became the second East Coast Turtle in late 2025, shortly after connecting with Aleck Smart the MC during a summer concert series collaboration with Full Circle Sound and the band Whisper Party! in New Orleans. Hitting it off, Valene accompanied Aleck serving as First Camera and Production Assistant for T-Ray the Violinist and The Trendsetters. Valene has a multifaceted professional background in business and production and understands both the creative, on-stage side of things as an artist and performer himself with one of New Orleans' best new bands: The Rozes.