Broadcast IT Engineer
Rachel Ford is a broadcast engineer and media professional with extensive expertise spanning broadcasting, cinematography, photography, news production, motion graphics, and communications. She earned both a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in instructional systems from Florida State University, focusing on human engagement and comprehension.
Ford launched her career in Tampa Bay in 2013 as an instructional designer at Vector Solutions before joining Nielsen in 2014. Over seven years at Nielsen (2014–2021), she transitioned into media production and engineering, excelling in areas such as live broadcasts, marketing and diversity videos, technical training content, professional headshots, and event and product photography.
In 2022, Ford took on a new challenge, moving to Washington, D.C., as the lead videographer and social media content manager for Living Local DMV, a newly launched lifestyle show. By 2023, she joined Amazon as a systems engineer at their Arlington, VA headquarters. In this role, Ford played a key part in commissioning Amazon’s new live event venues, including its first SMPTE 2110 network. She also communicated complex technical details to leadership and external stakeholders and led engineering teams during high-profile live events, including ones attended by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In 2025, Ford is embarking on an exciting new chapter, joining Monumental Sports Entertainment as a Broadcast IT Engineer where she will contribute her expertise to part of the groundbreaking transformation of the iconic Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., redefining the future of sports and entertainment.
Outside of work, Ford enjoys capturing life with her camera under the alias Madame Director. From daily life to local events to humanitarian efforts, she enjoys capturing moments to remember. As Don McCuaig, ASC, once said to her, “If you find yourself doing your work during your free time, then you found not a job, but your passion.”
Featured in: The Ballroom
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