Mark Dinerstein Consulting in partnership with JPB Partners announces purchase of Marathon Live
Mark Dinerstein, CEO - Marathon Live, cr: Heather Leven Photography
Nashville, TN; (July 14, 2025) Mark Dinerstein Consulting and JPB Partners announced today the purchase of Marathon Live, the Nashville based full-service facility promoter and operating company from founder Josh Billue. As part of the transaction, Dinerstein has been appointed CEO of the organization. Josh Billue remains with the company and has accepted the role of Chief Development Officer.
Marathon Live operates a network of six live music and event facilities including Nashville’s Marathon Music Works, The Truman in Kansas City, The Signal in Chattanooga, The Hall in Little Rock, The Hawthorn in St. Louis and FIVE in Jacksonville, FL - a renovated historic 1,250 capacity theater which opened in May 2025. Under Dinerstein’s leadership and capital provided by JPB Partners, Marathon Live will continue to expand through the acquisition of existing facilities and non-traditional spaces populated with live entertainment and private events. The organization also intends to renovate existing facilities and build new facilities across the North American landscape with plans well underway on its next few projects.
Marathon Live is also formally launching a facility management division offering a complete suite of services for existing facilities with 1,000 - 2,500 capacity. Services include risk-based and non-risk talent buying, general consultation, operations, sponsorship, marketing, ticketing, production design, food and beverage operations, facility development, facility renovation and preservation amongst other services.
“I am thrilled to join the Marathon Live team, work with a uniquely talented group and lead our network of owned and operated facilities into the next era of growth.” said Dinerstein. “We look forward to connecting with existing facilities looking to join our endeavor with both independent spirit and savvy business strategies to ensure their place in the entertainment and private events sector for generations to come.”
Dinerstein added, “In addition to facility acquisition, we intend to grow through ground-up construction and offer full-facilities management services aimed at the 1,000 - 2,500 capacity sector offering true partnership through shared ideals.”
Josh Billue, CDO, Marathon Live adds, “The sale of Marathon Live to Mark and JPB helps protect our thriving organization while rapidly accelerating my original vision of growth. My new role as Chief Development Officer will allow me to continue to focus on building new facilities for Marathon Live, and we have some very exciting projects on the horizon.”
Added Jim Bolduc, President and CEO of JPB Partners, “As a family office with a long-term vision, we see an exciting opportunity to support Mark and Josh through strategic consolidation and investment in customer-first platforms. By backing operators who prioritize unforgettable audience moments from iconic venues, we believe Marathon Live has immense potential for growth and innovation."
Mark Dinerstein most recently served as President of Corporate Development and was a co-founder for top domestic event producer LiveCo. Prior to LiveCo, Mark served as President of Knitting Factory Presents and led the company in all areas of expansion for 13 years. During Mark’s tenure at Knitting Factory Presents, the company was established as a top independent promoter, producing thousands of events and routinely recognized by Pollstar as a top domestic promoter.
Mark joins the strong Marathon Live team including Ryan Henry (Chief Operating Officer), Chris Hewitt (Chief Accounting Officer), Casey Osburn (SVP Facilities), Matt Phillips (Talent Buyer), Sarah Stockton (Jr. Talent Buyer), Liza Saturday (Operations Director), Jeremy Hicks (Communications Director), Christina Luppinanci (Marketing Manager), Jill Schuler (Private Events Director) and Kasey Ray (Production Director) with additional support from a variety of managers in various departments, General Managers and Assistant General Managers.
About Marathon Live
Marathon Live is a full-service facility management, promoter, and operating company. Their first location in Nashville, Marathon Music Works, opened in 2011 and quickly became one of the city’s most prominent mid-sized venues. It is now one of the last independently owned and operated venues in Nashville. Marathon Live’s portfolio includes The Truman in Kansas City, The Signal in Chattanooga, The Hall in Little Rock, The Hawthorn in St. Louis and the newest edition in May 2025, FIVE in Jacksonville, FL. GRAMMY Award winners St. Vincent, Gary Clark Jr; CMA award winners Ashley McBryde, Luke Combs; Super Bowl halftime performers The Weeknd, Big Boi; and touring legends Dropkick Murphys and Cage the Elephant have all performed on the stages of Marathon Live venues. In addition to concerts, Marathon Live venues have also hosted weddings, galas, fundraisers, and trade shows as well as events for clients such as Red Bull, T-Mobile, Pandora, CMA and more.
About JPB Partners
Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Hanover, Maryland, JPB Partners is a leading family office investment firm specializing in lower-middle market private equity investments and real estate across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States. JPB was founded by JP Bolduc, the former CEO of W.R. Grace and co-founder of Catterton Partners.
For more information on Marathon Live, contact:
Alexandra Greenberg / Falcon Publicity