Team
Cheryl DuChez
In 1996 Cheryl worked as an intern for her high school senior project for David and Lee Model Management. The internship was supposed to last four weeks, but she was having far too much fun, so she stayed and interned at the agency most semesters throughout college. After graduating from Baldwin Wallace University with a BA in Communications, she was hired by the Ford Models Cleveland to work as the children’s booker and new faces agent. When Deb Docherty opened the Docherty Agency in Cleveland and hired Ford’s staff, Cheryl was thrilled to join the Docherty team as the children’s booker and new faces agent. After a few years with Docherty, Cheryl moved to New York and Chicago for a decade. During her time in New York she worked at a children’s talent agency Generation Model Management. She has also worked in the extras casting for about a dozen films.
In 2015 after moving back to Cleveland, she rejoined the Docherty family to continue bringing on children and working with new faces. Cheryl is married with two daughters, two dogs, a fish and a frog.
Favorite movies - Love Actually and Good Will Hunting.
Comfort food – Pickles.
Binge watching - Anything true crime. I just finished The Puppet Master.
3 items on a deserted island - Phone, portable charger that doesn’t need a plug. Oh, and water.
Deb Docherty
Founder
Deb Docherty’s modeling career began right after college, and she quickly become a top model in the Pittsburgh market. After five years in front of the camera, Deb turned her attention to the business of modeling, wearing many hats including make-up, props, locations, wardrobe, studio manager, AD and producer. Building on her modeling career, business experience and regional reputation, she opened Docherty Casting in 1987. Deb funded her new business in with a credit card because the banks around Pittsburgh would not lend a former female model money to start a business, Always the resourceful entrepreneur, she set up her office right across the street from Froggy’s bar on Market Street – she knew where to find everyone on a Friday night.
Deb evolved and grew the Docherty Agency into its current position as the region’s leading and most respected talent agency, with a reputation of representing premiere talent - both models and actors worldwide. With offices in the Pennsylvania and Ohio markets, Docherty continues to garner awards in excellence and national recognition in the fashion, advertising and acting communities. As founder, Deb still provides guidance to the agency, staying active in the community as a prominent figure and supporting the growth of the region’s film industry. She’s the proud mother (and mother-in-law) to her son Daniel and his new bride Praneeta, and also mother and master to Grady, her loyal and handsome doodle mix.
Dominique Brown
Dominique never knew where her life would take her but she always knew that she wanted to end up doing something involving the entertainment industry. She truly believes in the saying "If you do something you love, then you will never work a day in your life". So when the opportunity came knocking to join the team, she could not refuse. Dominique is eager to learn and grow with the Docherty team!
Dominique has a background in social media, photography, and acting/modeling. Her background and passion for entertainment are what lead to the position at Docherty.
Other positions she held include:
Social Media Manager for Protean Entertainment - Managed all social media platforms, curated social media posts and interacted with various industry influencers.
Assistant Associate for Obrown&Asscoistes-Contacted/scheduled qualified prospects and managed the company website.
What’s your favorite movie? I have a long list of favorite movies, but if I had to choose one it would be La La Land. I am a sucker for a good movie musical!
What’s your favorite comfort food? Mashed Potatoes!
What show are you currently binge-watching? The Marvelous Mrs. Masiel!
What three items would you take with you to a deserted island? Matches, Tent, First-aid kit
Fidel Anderson
Fidel Anderson’s passion and interest for film & media has allowed her to obtain many unique experiences during her career. Between helping behind the scenes with the team at HollyShorts Film Festival, giving notes and vetting scripts at ALTA GLOBAL MEDIA, and acting as the 1st Assistant Director on a shoot for Carnegie Mellon University, she has made sure to gain skills and knowledge within all areas of the industry. So, when the opportunity to become an Assistant Agent for The Docherty Agency crossed her path in early 2022, she knew she had to join. Already, she’s helped work on fashion galas and feature-films shooting within the Pittsburgh area – and that’s just at the start of her time with the company! Fidel is excited to tackle more projects with the team and can’t wait to see what her future with Docherty holds.
Other positions she’s held include:
- Key Production Assistant for the independent feature film Basic Psych (filmed summer 2021)
- Intern/Freelancer for Nancy Mosser Casting (2018 – 2019) which was my first job within the industry
- Intern at SugarMamma.TV in Sydney, Australia (2019) in which I helped run the social media accounts while also creating content for the YouTube channel that has over 100k subscribers)
What's your favorite movie?
My immediate answer is Lady Bird, but I also really love The Favourite, The Last Black Man in San Francisco, and The Power of the Dog.
What's your go-to comfort food?
Gyros, without question. I could eat them every day if I had to.
What show are you currently binge-watching?
I’m currently flying through all of Sex and the City!
What three items would you take with you to a deserted island?
My headphones, my writing notebook + pens, and my collection of bucket hats.
Jared Pascoe
Agency Director
Jared Pascoe has been an agent at the Docherty Agency since 2013 and was promoted to agency director in 2020. His clients have appeared in TV and film projects for Netflix, ABC, NBC, CBS, Showtime, Hulu, Starz, HBO and more. He has also booked talent on national commercial campaigns for Nike, T- Mobile, Visa, etc.
Before joining the team at Docherty, Jared was a triple threat having worked in casting, production and talent management in Pittsburgh, Los Angeles and New York City
In his free time, Jared enjoys screenwriting and his projects have placed in the Austin Film Festival, UCLA Extension Writing Competition, CineStory Feature Fellowship & the Palm Springs International Comedy Festival. Jared’s queer coming of age feature script SECONDHAND MIRACLES was a 2021 semifinalist in the prestigious Nicholl Fellowships sponsored by The Academy for Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
What’s your favorite movie?
My FAVORITE is FARGO. (MOONLIGHT, DOUBT, THE BIRDCAGE and SISTER ACT round out the top five.)
What’s your favorite comfort food?
The Olive Garden (don’t you dare judge me.)
What show are you currently binge-watching?
GHOSTS (US and UK versions) and ABBOTT ELEMENTARY.
What three items would you take with you to a deserted island?
My husband Brady (not sure how he’ll feel about being called an item) and our two cats, JB and Fletcher.
John Docherty
Chief Financial Officer
After beginning his career as an auditor in public accounting, John moved into the hospitality industry where he was Director of Internal Audit for Carlton Hotels Worldwide. He then moved to restaurant finance as CFO for Big Burrito Restaurant Group. In his more recent experience, John has been CFO for a regional non-profit in the healthcare sector.
At Docherty Agency, John is responsible for overseeing finance activities, including forecasting, budgeting and related functions, working closely with Vikki and the management team. He entertains all with us with his numbers, both the digital variety and his own unique style of song and dance. His control of payroll ensures his performances are always well received by the team.
Madison Gordon
Initially supporting Docherty as a freelance assistant, Madison joined full-time position in 2021 and was promoted to Agent in 2022. Madison has worked with clients such as Mosser Casting, Rue 21, Kiya Tomlin, Luxe Creative, Make Roots LLC, One Enchanted Evening, Picture This Media, Singleton & Partners, and Dick’s Sporting Goods. She has also assisted on several feature film and episodic projects, as well as numerous commercial, voiceover, and print jobs. Madison graduated Magna Cum Laude from Denison University with a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance and Theatre. She has extensive experience as a performer both on camera and onstage, and she has been a producer, casting director, and director for multiple independent theatre productions and organizations. She has really enjoyed getting to know our talent and clients and working on bookings in various departments during her time at Docherty thus far, and she is excited to continue growing and having new experiences as a member of the Docherty team!
What's your favorite movie?
I’m a major movie buff, so it’s so hard to choose! I’d say my all-time favorite is About Time, closely followed by Anna Karenina and Your Name. But, I’m also a HUGE horror movie fan, and Sinister, The Visit, The Invisible Man, and Midsommar are my favorites in that genre.
What's your go-to comfort food?
Pizza, Macaroni and Cheese, and French Onion Soup.
What show are you currently binge-watching?
I’m currently binging RuPaul’s Drag Race and The Handmaid’s Tale, although I’m also a huge fan of Love Island (UK).
What three items would you take with you to a deserted island?
I’d love to bring along my significant other, but if he couldn’t be there, I’d take Chapstick, a few of my favorite books, and a soft pillow.
Michael Docherty
Chief Operating Officer
Mike brings unique operating experience to Docherty, having been a senior corporate executive, entrepreneur and venture capitalist. In his earlier career, he learned important strategic management skills as an executive working for large companies including GE and Ford, then as an SVP/GM at Sunbeam. Mike then moved to more creative, entrepreneurial work including growing a Michigan-based design firm, leading a venture investment firm and later building several venture-funded startups.
As Docherty COO, Mike supports the agency’s behind the scenes work including strategic planning, business development and operational improvements. Mike is also active in philanthropic activities, leading several non-profit groups that support innovation and economic development in the tri-state region (OH/PA/WV). In addition to his responsibilities with Docherty, Mike is often hard at work vying to be Deb's favorite brother. She knows how to play that game.
Sarah Stone
Sarah has been an agent at Docherty since 2018. Utilizing her previous experience in theatre and administration, she started at Docherty as the Film, TV, and VO agent for the Cleveland office and transitioned to working primarily with Docherty’s commercial print clients throughout the region. Sarah has booked talent on films and TV shows for Warner Brothers, Netflix, Showtime, Amazon Prime, MGM, and United Artists. She has booked talent on commercials for Troy-Bilt, Progressive Insurance, Wayfair, NBA, Safelite, GMC, Krylon, DSW, Cleveland Clinic, and Tongal. Additionally, she has booked talent for projects with Sherwin Williams, Target, Vitamix, Procter & Gamble, Nationwide Insurance, Moen, Phillips, Nestle, Fount Leather, and more. Sarah has a background in policy, project management, and performance.
Favorite Movie: What’s Up, Doc? (1972)
Comfort Food: Cheese quesadilla
Show Currently Binging: Frasier and Bob’s Burgers
Deserted Island Items: If my dogs and my husband are already there, I’ll take fine linen sheets, La Roche-Posay Hydrating Gentle Cleanser, and access to Turner Classic Movies
Stephanie Herrmann
Stephanie joined the team at Docherty in 2014 beginning in New Faces. From monthly open calls through onboarding new talent, Stephanie helped get the new talent up and running, ready to work. She spent time in one-on-one talent meetings, shooting their digitals to get them comfortable with the camera, and celebrating with them as they booked their first project. With an incredible talent roster and a growing market, Stephanie stepped over to working in Print connecting those incredible talent with all the amazing clients throughout the market, such as American Eagle, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Rue21. She always has way too many tabs open at once and is a huge fan of sticky notes and coffee. When she isn’t in the office, you can usually find her at Disney or home binging Netflix with her husband and goldendoodle, Simba.
What's your favorite movie? There is no right way to ever answer this but, I love Erin Brockovich, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Mary Poppins, any Disney classic for that matter.
What's your go-to comfort food? Definitely Mac & Cheese (Kraft Spirals, Stouffers, Chik-Fila-A’s is pretty good too).
What show are you currently binge-watching? I’m never not binging The Office.
What three items would you take with you to a deserted island? Bible, Airplane, Pilot.
Vikki Ferguson
Manager, Finance
Having always dreamed of being an actor, Vikki majored in Theatre at the University of Central Arkansas before switching to English & Journalism.
After college she bravely took a Greyhound bus to NYC to find acting work, which she did. She then went into agency work for GTN before coming to Docherty in 1994. She left after her first child but came back in the early 2000’s -- and this time in in the operations side of the agency, to enable more time with her family.
Vikki’s domain at Docherty is everything financial, from invoicing and records management, to client support, bookkeeping, and paying the actors. Understanding the talent side of the business helps her support the business more effectively.
She's celebrating her 33rd anniversary with her husband in May and has two sons (Zach and Sam) who are also involved in the film and media world.