Instructor Bios
Alan Avidan
Dr. Alan Avidan is an expert in alerting and Mass Notification Systems (MNS) and related technologies. In 1993, Dr. Avidan co-founded MadahCom, Inc., a recognized technological and innovative leader in emergency control and mass notification solutions for both commercial and military applications. In 2007, Cooper Industries acquired MadahCom, which now forms the core of the Cooper Notification Division.
Recognizing the lack of adequate alerting technologies, Dr. Avidan helped develop a modern vision and discipline for public alerting. With his guidance, MadahCom developed and implemented WAVES® (Wireless Audio Visual Emergency System), an entirely new digital wireless platform optimized for robust and survivable real-time alerting. The WAVES system introduced three major innovations: an intuitive graphical software monitoring and control, a secure Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) wireless broadband transmission, and an ability to readily integrate with other security systems and alerting technologies.
WAVES quickly became the leading MNS system for U.S. military facilities worldwide, and was the only system to meet the stringent Joint Chiefs of Staff J-34 (Anti-Terrorism Force Protection) Personnel Alerting System requirements. Subsequently, WAVES became the only system approved for deployment in the war zones. Using its extensive system and network integration capabilities, MadahCom developed WAVES system variants for other complex security threats, including applications in Municipal, College Campus and Industrial environments, both fixed and portable.
For over 15 years, Dr. Avidan has worked with numerous customers with a wide variety of facilities from large, inter-connected multi-campus organizations to single isolated sites to assess their security risks and to tailor efficient alerting and notification solutions to their specific threats and budgets.
Dr. Avidan has been a speaker at major conferences and events, both commercial and military, including ISC, NFPA, NSCA, US Pacific Command Anti-Terrorism Force Protection.
Dr. Avidan holds a PhD degree in Engineering and an MBA, and can be reached at AlertingExpert@Yahoo.com.
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Matt Barmash
Matthew has 10 years of experience working in business development, product marketing, sales, and IT within the enterprise software industry. He began his career designing and implementing large scale IT infrastructure solutions at State Street Bank. This technical foundation, combined with his product marketing and business development skills from companies such as Microsoft and Research In Motion, gives Matthew the unique perspective of both the customers’ needs and the offerings available from software manufacturers. Matthew helps software companies achieve their goals through managing product excellence and integrating development with an understanding of customer requirements. Currently, he manages the sales, marketing, and new business development at Cloud Systems, Inc.
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Don Baughman
My career highlights include major national and international projects encompassing corporate headquarters, hospitals, universities, sports arenas, studios, and trading floors. I have always had the innate ability to recognize business opportunities and create mutually beneficial relationships. I am regarded as a rainmaker and a strong closer with the ability to see the total opportunity at hand. My methodology is based on solid engineering and in-depth product knowledge.
Specifically my experience in audio-video integration began in the late 70's at Accent Audio-Video. I designed, sold, installed, and maintained AV and CCTV systems primarily for corporations and universities.
At Total Assets Protection, we specialized in the infrastructure, communications and security of major data processing centers including ADP, ARCO, IBM, Merrill Lynch, Swiss Bank, and Payne Webber. These systems included network operation centers, training rooms, video teleconferencing and board room environments. In addition, I provided the CCTV and Access Control systems for the Lackland Air Force Base Medical Center – the largest military hospital in the world.
At Sound Visions, with the acquisition of the Joiner Rose Group, we specialized in both design consulting and design build projects including the US Senate sound system, master planning for the Oklahoma City MAPS project, and the broadcast facilities for the Arthur Ash US Open Tennis Stadium in Flushing NY . Furthermore I developed a digital video replay system for the Chicago Mercantile Exchange providing compliance monitoring and an efficient means to resolve out-trade disputes. The project acronym is DVTRS representing D igital V ideo T rade R esolution S ystem. Encompassing a forty-channel camera and MPEG-2 DDR recording capability deployed over fiber, the system provides simultaneous replay to three quad viewing stations and twelve executive viewers. The project total was $3,200,000.00 with the revenue spread over nine (9) months.
Additional career highlights include the Texaco European Headquarters project in London England , Studio City in Sidney Australia, and Guede Film & Video Studios in San Juan Puerto Rico.
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Andrew Benton
Andrew Benton received his engineering degree from Cambridge University in England in 1976, and after graduation, worked for Kent Industrial Measurements in Cambridge. Moving to the United States in 1980, he worked as a design engineer for General Electric and Unisys, specializing in instrumentation, computers and industrial controls. At Unisys he received three awards including the corporate-level Achievement Award for Excellence. In 1994, with two partners, he formed New Frontier Electronics, out of which SurgeX grew, and where he has been director of engineering since 1996. His hobbies and interests include hiking, reading (non-fiction), cosmology, history, philosophy, renewable energy and global warming.
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Mike Bradley
Mike Bradley is President of Safeguard Security & Communications in Scottsdale, Arizona. A graduate of Arizona State University, Mike has participated in sales and management in the low voltage contracting industry for twenty years. Mike is a past president of the board of directors for the NSCA (National System Contractors Association). Mike was selected Educator of the Year in 2001 for the NSCA. Safeguard Security & Communications has several divisions including residential and commercial contracting, guard and patrol services and a privately operated UL Listed monitoring facility.
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Jim Brown
Jim Brown (BSEE, University of Cincinnati, 1964) has worked in broadcasting and pro audio since 1960. His consulting practice, established in 1985, designs systems for worship, performance, and sports facilities. More recently, his focus has expanded to include research, publication, and consulting on EMC issues. He is a Fellow of the Audio Engineering Society, Vice-Chair of the AES Standards Committee Working Group on EMC, and a member of the Acoustical Society of America, the Society of Broadcast Engineers, the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, the AES Technical Committee on Acoustics and Sound Reinforcement, and the AES Standards Committee's Working Groups on Microphones, Intelligibility, Acoustic and Sound Source Modeling, Digital Audio Transmission, and Audio Connectors.
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Tim Cape
Timothy Cape , CTS-D has been an independent AV consultant since 1982. He formed his first consultancy in 1985 which led to the creation of the two largest AV consulting firms in the southeastern US. He worked internationally as a partner in each of these firms, forming Technitect, LLC in 2004.
Tim is an active AV industry advocate and a prolific author. He writes the monthly column "Consultant Connection" for Pro AV magazine and is co-author of the book AV Best Practices: The Design and Integration Process for the AV and Construction Industries book. His holds full Faculty status at the InfoComm Academy and is currently chair of InfoComm's Consultants' council ICAT. He is also a contributor and full voting member of the Illuminating Engineering Society's (IES) “Lighting for Videoconferencing and Presentation” committee which has published a lighting design guide for AV facilities.
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Bob Chanaud
Dr Chanaud received his B.S. in Engineering from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, his M.S. in Engineering from the University of California, and his Ph.D. in Engineering from Purdue University. His area of expertise is acoustics, specifically speech privacy and sound masking. He has been active in acoustics since 1958 and has extensive experience in office acoustics. As a faculty member, he has taught both undergraduate and graduate acoustics at Purdue University, the University of Colorado, the University of Michigan, Brigham Young University and Embry-Riddle University,. He has been a consultant to the IBM Corporation, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the American-Standard Corporation. In 1975 he founded Dynasound, a company devoted entirely to providing speech privacy in the office environment and to the manufacture of sound masking systems. He has been a consultant to Armstrong World Industries, and Dynasound, Inc, and is currently a consultant to the Atlas Sound division of Mitek Corporation.
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Rich Christensen
Richard Christensen, General Manager for United Visual, Inc., Itasca , Illinois , has over 30 years in business, management, leadership and academia. Mr. Christensen has been a management consultant, business manager, and college professor and is a retired Army Major after a 23-year career. He is well versed and experienced in all facets of effective organizational and financial management and has taught personal and professional assessment, communications, motivation, leadership and a variety of business and management courses. He has been instrumental in revitalizing business, getting new business off the ground and advising business on better management practices to become successful through effective team building and process improvement. His education includes a Bachelors Degree from the University of Wisconsin in Criminal Justice and Sociology, a Master Degree in Management and Organizational Behavior from Silver Lake College , and is a graduate of the US Army Command and General Staff College. Originally from Racine, Wisconsin, Mr. Christensen now resides in Elk Grove Village, Illinois.
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Bob Coffeen
Bob Coffeen founded the firm R.C. Coffeen & Associates in 1964, to provide professional consulting services in room acoustics, architectural noise control, community noise control, mechanical and electrical system noise control, and electro-acoustic sound reinforcement and reproduction. The firm continues today as Coffeen Fricke & Associates, Inc. Bob retired from the firm in 1995 in order to pursue educational opportunities. He is currently a member of the faculty of the School of Architecture and Urban Design at the University of Kansas teaching five courses in architectural acoustics and electo-acoustics primarily to architecture and architectural engineering students. Bob is a licensed professional engineer, a fellow of the Acoustical Society of America, a life member of the Audio Engineering Society, a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers, and a member of the National Council of Acoustical Consultants. For the last six years, Bob has conducted EASE training seminars for Telex/EV and he teaches EASE to students in his courses at the University of Kansas .
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Alleah Crawford
A graduate of Auburn University Mrs. Crawford worked her way up with the Hilton Hotels Corporation from the front desk to the executive management staff. She has a multitude of experience with service and a hands-on understanding of the importance of service quality in business. Mrs. Crawford is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Hotel and Restaurant Management with a concentration in organizational culture at Auburn University .
John and Alleah reside in Opelika, Alabama, with their 2 year old daughter, Faylee.
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John Crawford
John Crawford has taken the path less traveled. After discovering that his first degree in Physics was next to useless in the job market, he paid his way to a degree in Computer Engineering at Auburn University by running a small live sound company and DJ'ing parties. After graduating, he declined the offer to design software in the Aerospace industry. He chose instead to launch an audiovisual integration company on a shoestring budget, no clue, and a desire to provide exceptional service. Easier said than done. Six years later his company has grown from a staff of two working from the back room of his house to a new facility, a branch office, and an average sales growth of over 40% per year.
John and Alleah reside in Opelika, Alabama, with their 2 year old daughter, Faylee.
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Dr. Peter D'Antonio
Peter D'Antonio was born in Brooklyn , New York , in 1941. He received his B.S. degree from St. John's University in 1963 and his Ph.D. from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, in 1967. In 1974, he developed a widely used design for modern recording studios at Underground Sound Recording Studio, Largo , Maryland , utilizing a temporal reflection free zone and reflection phase grating diffusors. Dr. D'Antonio is founder and president of RPG Diffusor Systems, Inc., established in 1983. Dr. D'Antonio pioneered the sound diffusion industry and has significantly expanded the acoustical palette by creating and implementing a wide range of novel number-theoretic, fractal and optimized diffusing and absorbing surfaces, for which he holds many trademarks and patents. He has lectured extensively, published numerous scientific articles in technical journals and magazines and is the co-author of the reference book Acoustic Absorbers and Diffusers: Theory, Design and Application, Spon Press 2004. He served as Chairman of the AES Subcommittee on Acoustic Working Group SC-04-02, which published AES-4id-2001, describing a pending standard method to quantify the uniformity of scattering in terms of a diffusion coefficient; is a member of the ISO/TC 43/SC 2/WG25 Working Group, which published ISO standard 17497-1:2004, describing the standard to measure the random incidence scattering coefficient; and has served as adjunct professor of acoustics at the Cleveland Institute of Music, since 1991. He is a Fellow of the Acoustical Society of America and the Audio Engineering Society and a professional affiliate of the American Institute of Architects.
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Troy Elmore
Troy Elmore is a managing partner for the Houston branch of the Sandler Sales Institute, a Baltimore-based sales and sales management training company. He is also a professional speaker, trainer, and consultant for a number of industries looking to improve their sales and sales management processes.
Troy Elmore has been in professional sales and management for over 12 years. He has been associated with the Sandler Sales Institute for five years where after receiving the training he was a consistent member of BMC Software's and Flowserve's President's Club and then received the global salesman of the year for the $ 2.5 billion Flowserve Company in 2002. He then partnered with fellow salesman, Brad Freyer, to form the Houston branch of the Sandler Sales Institute in 2003 where since their inception they have won many awards for sales and training achievement within the Sandler network.
He received his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1993 from Texas A&M University and his Executive MBA from the University of Houston in 2002.
He is currently on the board of directors for the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Houston Business Cabinet, and a member of the GHBA.
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Dan Erickson
Dan L. Erickson has worked in the Audio/Visual industry for the past 28 years, and is currently Vice-President and Chief Technology Officer of General Communications, Inc. He has been an instructor for Rockhurst College , teaching a number of classes with network-related curriculum. Over the past several years, he has been well-known by NSCA members for his work in the organization's outreach programs, including conceptual and functional design of the NSCA University.
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Chris Foreman
Chris Foreman is Associate Product Manager for Community Professional , a loudspeaker manufacturer in Chester , Pennsylvania . During his pro audio career, Chris has worked in manufacturing, contracting and tour sound. Chris is widely published, having written numerous magazine articles and technical papers. He is author of the sound reinforcement chapter for the “Handbook for Sound Engineers”. With consultant John Eargle, Chris co-authored the book “Audio Engineering for Sound Reinforcement”.
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Marc Forman
A returning and welcomed previous top 10 educator for NSCA over several years, a 25+ year veteran of the Systems Integration Industry, Certified by NICET and IMSA in multiple disciplines, involved in the EST, RESI and C-EST Course Developments, and various committees for NSCA. Marc is also a member of the NICET CCTV Exam Committee. A member of NFPA and certified by many of the most respected industry manufacturers. A graduate of a leading Construction Engineering College, Marc brings his hands on experiences in all facets of our industry from apprentice, journeyman, executive management and an owner, AND the perspective of what and how General Contractors and Construction Management organizations view Special Systems Integrators as we continue to move from the prior shadows as an electrical contractors sub-contractor of a cottage industry and into our very own prime contractor categories.
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Per Forsberg
Per Forsberg is president of Audio Architects Inc., an audio and video contracting company in Chippewa Falls, WI. He is a strong advocate for improving professionalism through education and voluntary certification. His was one of the first contracting companies in Wisconsin to require NICET and C-EST training and certification for its technicians. He was a NSCA CATT instructor for several years helping prepare technicians for NICET exams. Per has been a member of Syn-Aud-Con since 1981 and a member of NSCA since 1985.
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Michael D. Frank
Appointed after his success as Midwest Regional Sales Manager, Michael Frank is Crestron's Regional Manager – Commercial Marketing Development liaison for the 14 state Midwest Region. Michael has seen the business from a variety of positions throughout his career. Prior to joining the Crestron Midwest team, Michael was Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Cleveland Corporate Services, a Crestron dealer, and currently serves our country as a Petty Officer in the legal division of the United States Coast Guard Reserves.
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Brad Freyer
With a diverse background in business development, sales, marketing, and PR, Brad brings a great deal of experience and success to E&F Consulting. As an award winning top performer for the past 10 years including numerous awards within the Sandler network. Along with record sales results Brad has established new marketing campaigns, cultivated and closed million dollar contracts while working in such industries as communications, medical, and heavy equipment. While dealing with a client base that has included Dow Chemical, Minute Maid, City of Houston , Trane, Shell, The Houston Texans, Reliant, and KBR Brad has developed knowledge of several industries, environments and has also been responsible for introduction of severproduct lines. During his tenure, Brad al new concepts and products to the Houston market that have developed in established product lines. Brad received his BS as a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin .
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Larry Garter
Serving as the NSCA University 's EST Master Instructor, Larry is responsible for coordination of materials and support, as well as online instruction of the EST Training Series. He brings over 25 years of experience in the communications industry, and has been a long-time NSCA member, serving in multiple capacities from owner of a contracting firm to sales engineering to his current position as founder and principle of the technology consulting firm Techplex.
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Mike Grifitt
With over 25 years of experience, Mike has held numerous positions in the industry from Technical Services, Management, Sales, and as a Design Engineer. His involvement has been in audio (both studio recording and live venue), film, advertising photography, military AV briefing support, data & video technologies. As a Regional Applications Specialist, he works with Extron resellers & integrators in the Southeast US , providing training and support for their sales and technical staff. Prior to Extron, Mike worked for the US Air Forces in Europe at Ramstein Germany , an Engineering for Architecture firm and an Audiovisual & Broadcast Integration company.
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Luis Guerra
Luis Guerra has been actively involved in the professional audiovisual industry since 1989. He has extensive knowledge and experience with many aspects of AV and IT systems, facilities design, product support, product development, training, user interfaces, and RF technology. He has worked for Shure for over 13 years and is currently a senior engineer dedicated to Commercial products. With his electrical engineering background and extensive understanding of commercial audio systems, Luis has contributed significantly to the design and development of Shure's entire line of digital audio products. He has dedicated himself to the study of the behavior of acoustic energy and the development of breakthrough technologies that address key problems with today's audio systems.
Throughout the various positions Luis has held at Shure, he has become a knowledgeable, effective presenter and is very proficient in explaining complex technical subjects in a way that everyone can understand.
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Wes Hair
Wes Hair is responsible for developing, documenting and implementing AMX business to business and product strategies designed to generate and enhance revenue streams in both commercial and residential marketplaces. His focus is to provide engineering, marketing, sales and business development leadership to AMX Dealers across the country, targeting existing sales channels and identifying future growth opportunities.
Hair has a proven record of handling, supporting and revitalizing large sales and strategic corporate accounts, bringing 15 years of experience in technology and account management to AMX.
During an impressively productive tenure at Inso Corporation, Hair held numerous management positions, including Vice President of Market Strategies, Vice President of Strategic Accounts and Vice President of Business Development. He was in charge of the company's overall marketing and sales support, several multi-million dollar sales accounts and the growth and retention of an extensive customer base.
Hair has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University.
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Barry Halligan
Barry Halligan has worked in the audio visual/video industry since 1979 on both the dealer and manufacturing sides of the business. In his present position, Barry directs the activities of all of the Technical Innovation Integrated Solutions Group's service, field operations, and engineering organizations. Previously at Technical Innovation, first as director of service operations and then as executive director, ISG technical operations, Barry was responsible for moving the service organization from a repair orientation to a holistic support approach. He is recognized for his ability to build exemplary operations from both a P&L and customer satisfaction perspective.
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Tim Habedank
Tim Habedank is lead technician for Audio Architects Inc., an audio and video contracting and consulting company in Chippewa Falls , WI . He has been a technician in the electronics field since 2000. His has experience in the car, residential and commercial electronics industries. He is a member of Syn-Aud-Con and the AES and holds NICET and C-EST certifications. Tim is also involved in performing and engineering live and recorded music.
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Steve Hegge
Steve Hegge is the Director of Systems Engineering and Technical Services for Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc. Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc., is a designer and manufacturer of equipment for the commercial, industrial applications of MATV, SMATV, and CATV as well as the franchised and private cable television industries. Founded in 1950, Blonder Tongue has grown to be one of the leaders in cable television equipment manufacturing. Steve is responsible for training, design services, Engineering services, and supporting Blonder Tongue customers through out the world, and has more than 27 years of experience in MATV, SMATV, CATV systems. His experience includes 22 years as an Engineer for a major MSO, engineering, construction, FCC testing, technical training, and troubleshooting. Prior to joining Blonder Tongue, Steve worked for TCI as a corporate Engineer and The Ethnic American Broadcasting system, and is a partner in Broadband Integrators, LLC., a SMATV and CATV consulting and design firm.
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Roy Hermanson, Jr.
Starting back in 1978 in the warehouse of a production company has brought Roy immense knowledge and experience in the AV Industry. He has designed, installed or staged systems that included Audio, Video, Slide, Film, Data and Automation in both the commercial and residential markets. For the past 10 years, as a Regional Applications Specialist, he has worked with Extron resellers & integrators in the Northeast US, providing training and support for their sales and technical staff. He is an instructor at Extron Institute and Trade Shows. Roy also instructs at CEDIA, NSCA and Infocomm, where he is a Senior Academy Faculty Instructor and Member, as well as one of the first few in the industry to have earned both CTS-I and CTS-D accreditations. In 2004 NSCA awarded Roy Educator of the Year, followed up in 2005 with the InfoComm Educator of the Year. Prior to Extron Roy worked at Crestron, providing training and tradeshow support and AV Workshop as the Technical Director.
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Phil Kaylor
Phil Kaylor holds a Bachelor Arts degree from the University of Maryland . He was an outside sales rep for Consumer Audio and Musical Instrument firms for 11 years. Mr. Kaylor founded Sound Sales,a pro audio independent manufacturer's representative firm in 1984. Sound Sales became the largest firm of its type in the Mid-Atlantic territory representing major brands. Phil received the Certified Professional Manufacturers Representative (CPMR) designation from Indiana University in 1988. He founded Gateway Consulting in 1995. Gateway served a number of commercial audio clients over a six year history in the area of marketing consulting. Most recently, Phil became General Manager of RCI Sound Systems in 2004, overseeing sales, marketing, human resources, and other areas.
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Gary Kayye
Gary Kayye, CTS is the chief visionary at Kayye Consulting, a Chapel Hill, NC-based firm specializing in marketing consulting and training development services to the professional AV market. Recognized as ICIA's Educator of the Year, Gary is a columnist Sound and Communications magazine and founder and editor of a ProAV eNewsletter rAVe. Prior to forming Kayye Consulting, he spent 11 years at Extron and AMX as VP of Sales and marketing and has served on the ICIA Board of Governors and he donates much of his time as an active educational leader in the ProAV market. Mr. Kayye graduated with a degree in marketing and advertising from the University of North Carolina.
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Darrin Kimsey
Darrin is Extron’s Midwest Regional Application Specialist, emphasizing on the MediaLink and IP Link Products. He has been in the A/V and Networking Industry for over 10 years. Darrin is a Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE) and a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT). Based in Chicago, he is responsible for the training and support of Extron's resellers as well as educational institutions in the Midwest region. Darrin also instructs at Extron Institute, regional shows, and tradeshow and industry seminars. Prior to Extron, Darrin worked for Automatic Data Processing (ADP) as the lead Network Administrator, and Division Technical Trainer. He has taught technical night courses, such Networking and MCSE tracks, for several years at Elgin Community College. Darrin also worked at Epson America Inc. with the primary focus being in projectors for over 6 years.
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Steve Lampen
Steve Lampen has worked for Belden for sixteen years and currently is Multimedia Technology Manager. Prior to Belden, Steve had an extensive career in radio broadcast engineering and installation, film production, and electronic distribution. Steve holds an FCC Lifetime General License (formerly a First Class FCC License) and is an SBE Certified Radio Broadcast Engineer. On the data side he is a BICSI Registered Communication Distribution Designer. His latest book, "The Audio-Video Cable Installer’s Pocket Guide" is published by McGraw-Hill. His column "Wired for Sound" appears in Radio World Magazine.
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Greg Maderic
Greg Maderic has been working in the visual communications field for over 17 years. For the last 10 years, he has studied human factors and the demands placed on creative individuals and end users by current and emerging technologies. Using his personal explorations of visual communication and his experiences with the commercial applications of graphic design, he is working with industry leaders to help develop standards and guidelines for control system interface designs.
Greg is currently an independent interface designer and owner of Control Interaction LLC. He currently creates interface designs for Crestron and AMX clients where the focus is on ease of use, cost effectiveness and better client retention. He has also developed a variety of custom interface design products and comprehensive clip art products, created to make touchpanel design simple and cost effective.
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David Marsh
David Marsh is a Principal Consultant at Pelton Marsh Kinsella (PMK), a Dallas, Texas-based acoustical and AV consulting firm with satellite offices in Las Vegas, NV, Miami Beach, FL and Dubai, UAE. He is President-Elect of the National Council of Acoustical Consultants (NCAC) and a Fellow of the Acoustical Society of America (FASA). In addition to leading PMK, Mr. Marsh writes a monthly column for Sound & Communications magazine and he is a frequent speaker at industry conferences. Current and recently completed projects on which he has consulted are: Puerto Rico Convention Center Hotel, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Phantom of the Opera theatre at The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV; Keene Music Building renovation at Rollins College, Winter Park, FL; 3,000-seat worship center for Crossroads Community Church, Cincinnati, OH; NBA Charlotte Bobcats arena, Charlotte, NC; NFL Arizona Cardinals stadium, Phoenix, AZ; The Gardens Shopping Mall (longest mall in the world), Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE); and several hotel/condo/office office towers in Dubai including Burj Dubai – the tallest building in the world.
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Blair McNair
McNair has been involved in sound systems work since 1976. He has worked as an installer, contractor, live sound operator, manufacturers’ product manager, and consultant over the years. He has numerous systems that are in operation in locations from 14,500 feet above sea level to 28 feet under water, in modest churches to 75,000 seat stadiums, on U.S. Navy warships and probably in a venue near you. His area of specialty is in houses of worship. McNair’s presentation style is high energy, and if you don’t like to laugh, don’t attend one of his sessions. His goal is help people benefit from his experience and shorten the painful parts of the learning process.
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David McNutt
David McNutt is Industry Team Manager, Installed Sound at Sennheiser Electronic Corporation. A veteran professional in the audio and video industry, McNutt has 35 years experience. His career has included broadcasting, marketing, and business. He has extensive experience with live sound engineering, product development, system design, and fixed installation contracting. McNutt was previously president of db Integrated Systems (Chicago, IL), a company he co-founded to provide and build the renowned audio system at Chicago's Millennium Park. Previous industry experience includes marketing positions at Crest Audio and EVI Audio (now Bosch). McNutt holds a Masters in Telecommunications from Indiana University and an MBA in Strategy and Marketing from the University of Chicago. He has written a monthly column, "Down to Business", for Sound & Communications magazine since 1998.
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Malcolm Montgomery
Malcolm Montgomery works with teams of faculty, architects, and engineers to develop and implement standards and designs for electronic classrooms (and other meeting and learning spaces). During his 28 year tenure at the University of Cincinnati , he managed the development of the electronic classroom initiative from the first prototype in 1995 to the recent design of its 165th “smart classroom.” Drawing on over 35 years of experience in teaching, data networking, medical video production, broadcasting, and media systems, as well as facilities design and construction projects, he is uniquely able to bridge the gaps between disciplines to support pedagogical goals through the integration of appropriate technology and effective classroom design. Malcolm presents seminars and AIA-accredited workshops on designing electronic classrooms for InfoComm, EduComm, the Consortium of College and University Media Centers (CCUMC), and the Society of College and University Planners. He chaired the Inter-University Council of Media Directors and co-hosted the CCUMC Annual Conference in 2004. Malcolm served on the steering committee for the Technology Managers Council of InfoComm International and is an active editor of course material for the Professional Education and Training Committee and participates in the Independent Consultants in AV Technologies Council. His credentials include MA (Electronic Media), BA (Psychology), and Certified Design Specialist (Design, Installation).
Malcolm retired from the University of Cincinnati in 2006, allowing him more time to provide educational technology consulting services and to develop and teach courses for technical, professional, and higher education. EduTech has offices in Los Angeles and Cincinnati .
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Thomas Mullins
Thom is a Senior Consultant in Audiovisual Systems design with BRC Acoustics. He has over 30 years experience in the design, installation, and operation of sound reinforcement, audiovisual presentation systems and associated control systems, as well as architectural acoustics design. He writes the monthly Consultant’s Corner article for ProAV and has taught classes for both NSCA and ICIA. His project design experience includes distance learning environments, corporate training and boardroom facilities, video teleconferencing suites, auditoria, churches, gymnasiums, sports facilities, conference and convention centers, and critical listening environments such as recording studios and broadcast facility control rooms.
Thom is a member of the American Institute of Physics, the Acoustical Society of America, and the Audio Engineering Society. In addition, he serves on the consultant’s councils for both the NSCA and the ICIA.
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John Murray
John Murray earned a B.S. in Radio-TV Production and Engineering from Ohio University and worked as a sound contractor in Dayton, Ohio. He learned TEF measurement in 1981 prior to the creation of Crown's original FFT-based spectrum analyzers. He is also a certified Meyer SIM and SIA SMAART user.
He was the Professional Sound Market Development Manager for Electro-Voice. He ran sound seminars for Mark IV in the US and Canada and was involved in the development of several electrical and acoustic Altec Lansing and EV products. Later, he was the product manager for TOA Electronics, and was involved with the world's first audio DSP (Digital Signal Processing) products. During that time he was fortunate to be the first to simultaneously perform DSP-based acoustical measurements and signal processing on a single laptop PC in real time.
Attending several Syn-Aud-Con (Synergetic Audio Concepts) seminars and workshops, he developed and chaired two workshops for them: Horns I & Horns II, and has chaired several others since then. In 2007 he was an instructor for Syn-Aud-Con's EQ07 workshop. He is also an Audio Engineering Society (AES) member, has presented two AES papers on DSP-based loudspeaker tuning and co-chaired the 2002 AES Line-Array Symposium. John ran MediaMatrix training for Peavey and was also a long-time instructor for the Live Sound Workshop held before the NAMM each year.
Currently he is the owner of ProSonic Solutions, an independent manufacturers' sales representative firm that also offers sound system design assistance and sound system tuning for consultants and dealers. He is an ICIA/INFOCOMM Adjunct Faculty Member and has taught a number of classes for the National Systems Contractors Association (NSCA). John is also the Senior Technical Editor for Live Sound International! Magazine.
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Brad Nelson
Brad Nelson is president of System Solutions Northwest Inc., an audio/video contracting and acoustic consulting company based in Kennewick, WA.
Brad has taught a variety of technical and business seminars for the NSCA. He was involved in the development and presentation of the NSCA BizSkills curriculum. Brad was the 1998 NSCA Audio Technician of the Year and the 1999 NSCA Educator of the Year. He has also served as an Associate Instructor for Synergetic Audio Concepts. His work has been published in various industry periodicals. He is the editor of the newly-revised Audio Systems Technology series of books.
Brad Nelson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Music and Audio Engineering. He holds Membership in the Audio Engineering Society and Associate Membership in the Acoustical Society of America and the Institute for Noise Control Engineering.
Brad was elected to the NSCA Board of Directors in 2005. He is the Chairman of the NSCA Education Committee, on which he has served since 2003.
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Bruce Olson
Bruce C. Olson is the founding member of OLSON SOUND DESIGN, a consulting firm specializing in sound system, combined audio & video production/presentation system design and technical systems design for Performing Arts Centers and Houses of Worship. In cooperation with Acoustic Design Ahnert (ADA) of Berlin , Germany , he provides assistance with customer support for the EASE/EARS design software distributed by Renkus-Heinz. In addition, he also manages the beta testing for new versions of EASE and EARS. Mr. Olson continues as an active musician and is a member of the Ria Saxophone Quintet, and The Bend In The River Big Band. He is a member of AIA, AES, ASA, NSCA, Syn-Aud-Con, and USITT, and has been an invited speaker at USITT conventions and for the AES and the ASA.
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Dennis Olson
Dennis Olson is Extron's Regional Applications Specialist, Southwest. Dennis trains and supports Extron resellers in the Southwestern United States. Dennis is also responsible for delivering Extron School customer-training courses as well as instructing at Infocomm Academy as a faculty member. Dennis has been with Extron for over ten years. He began his career with Extron as an Applications Engineer for the Southeast territory, providing technical support and training in-house and at Extron schools. Prior to joining Extron, Dennis spent 9 years in the US Navy where he was responsible for shipboard electronic systems such as closed circuit television systems, announcing systems as well as alarm and warning systems.
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Steve Olszewski
Steve Olszewski brings over 25 years of real world experience in AV systems, telephony and computer systems. Mr. Olszewski and his firm, Dimensional Communications, specialize in communications technologies, AV convergence, Voice over IP (VoIP), LANs/WANs and sophisticated computer-controlled sound systems. Steve is a regular contributing author to Systems Contractor News and a top ranked faculty member of NSCA University . Steve's enthusiastic and entertaining style makes learning about complex technologies easy and fun.
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Jeff Pallin
Jeff Pallin is the principle of Thatcher Business Solutions, a management consulting firm in Northern California specializing in helping small to medium sized professional service organizations in the development of better practices in sales training and sales management. A member of the original committee that gathered to form NSCA in the early 1980’s, he has been involved in various levels of the Entertainment Technology and Systems Contracting Industries for 25 years. He has worked for several major manufacturers, managed a contracting firm in Chicago, and got his start in the business side by working in a music store. He can be reached at jpallin@comcast.net and at http://www.thatchersolutions.com/.
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Jason K. Pittman
Jason started his career in the building industry while pursuing a BS in Architectural Engineering at Kansas State University working as an Engineering Assistant at the Department of Facilities. After completing his BS, he joined The Talaske Group, Inc as an Interdisciplinary Technical Assistant. He left as an Interdisciplinary Technical Specialist in May of 2006 to join Acoustical Design Group Inc.
His experience in acoustics and A/V design, as well as other trades in the building industry, gives him a unique understanding of the project as a whole. These design tools help integrate designs with all the trades involved in design and construction of a project. This insight helps the design early in the process, allowing the systems to be part of the space and not an after thought.
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John Rensink
John Rensink is the owner of Superb Sound Systems, a licensed audio/visual contractor, live event specialist, and training provider to the Mid-Atlantic region. He holds audio certification from the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies, and has a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in teaching from the University of Minnesota. John has over 3,000 classroom teaching hours and has implemented a full curriculum of audio courses in his business. John is also a proud member of the National Systems Contractors Association.
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Karl Rosenberg
Karl Rosenberg is Extron’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Application Specialist. He lives in the Washington D.C. area where he has worked in the Audio Visual industry for 20 years. Karl started in the industry working for Future View Inc., where he did installs and rental/staging. Rosenberg then went on to work for Digital Projection as a trainer and engineer. Karl is currently responsible for the training of all Extron resellers in his territory. Besides presenting at trade shows like CEDIA, NSCA and INFOCOMM, he also teaches at InfoComm in Fairfax, Virginia, where he holds the title of Faculty Instructor.
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Nadim Sawaya
Mr. Sawaya has over 24 years of executive and project management experience with general and specialty contracting companies. Presently, he is the President of Enterprise Performance Consulting (EPC), a firm that provides Security and Fire Integrators with Business Consulting Services and Professional Training Programs. Previously, he founded and managed Integrated Security Network (ISN), a division of Honeywell. Prior to ISN, Mr. Sawaya held several executive positions with Pinkerton Systems Integrations, including Acquisition Manager, Regional President and Vice President of Operations. His accomplishments at Pinkerton earned him both the 1996 Most Improved Region Award and the 1997 President of the Year Award - the company's Highest Achievement Award. Mr. Sawaya also held key management positions with JWP, Landis & Gyr (Siemens SBT) and Pauling-Rapco JV. Mr. Sawaya holds a Masters Degree in Construction Management and a General Electrical Contracting License in the State of California.
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Ernest Schirmer
Mr. Schirmer is Director of Technology Consulting for Acentech, Inc. and the Managing Director of Acentech's Trevose , PA office. Prior to joining Acentech, Mr. Schirmer was Vice President of Technology Consulting with Syska Hennessy Group consulting engineers in New York City; Director of IT Infrastructure Design for CUH2A, an architectural and engineering firm with headquarters in Princeton, NJ and a Senior Associate with the international consulting firm of Shen Milsom and Wilke Inc. in New York City.
Mr. Schirmer earned his MBA in Information Systems from Binghamton University and holds degrees in economics, business administration and electrical engineering technology. He is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), vice-president of education for the Association of Information Technologies (AIT), former chairman of the Continental Automated Buildings Association (CABA) Task Force 3 on intelligent buildings systems and a BICSI Registered Cable Distribution Designer (RCDD) and Network Transport Systems (NTS) specialist. Mr. Schirmer is a frequent speaker at industry functions and has authored articles for numerous trade publications.
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Claiborne Sharp Jr.
Claiborne Sharp is the President and Owner of Claiborne Sharp Professional Audio, founded in 1989. He has been the Audio Director at First United Methodist Church for over 30 years. Mr. Sharp is the author of ISLM, an interactive economics tutorial program used by several universities to teach the principles of macroeconomics, money and banking. Mr. Claiborne completed his education with an MBA in 1985 from Louisiana State University. He also received his Bachelor of Science degree from Louisiana State. After completing his MBA, he was an instructor of computer science and telecommunications.
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Leslie Shiner
Leslie Shiner—author, speaker, and trainer—has more than twenty years of experience working as a financial and management consultant for the construction industry. As the owner and principal of The ShinerGroup, she has helped both small and large construction companies better understand their business practices and maximize their profits.
Ms. Shiner firmly believes training and education is instrumental in the growth and success of those in the contracting field. She is also the author of numerous publications that focus on the construction industry including the Profit Press Profit Guides: “Choosing ‘Best Fit' Construction Management Software,” “Implementing New Business Management Software” and “Health Checkup for Your Construction Business” among others.
Ms. Shiner's post-graduate education focused on Finance and Accounting culminating in an MBA from UC Berkeley. Ms. Shiner has combined her knowledge of construction management with her passion for education. She teaches Construction Accounting and Project Management seminars around the country and frequently speaks at industry conferences, both locally and nationally. She recently received the CEDIA Top 10 Instructor Award. Ms. Shiner has taught as Adjunct Faculty both at the California State University System and Dominican University.
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Jerrold Stevens
Jerrold has been a project manager and consultant for Pelton Marsh Kinsella, LLC since 1980. Mr. Stevens has an extensive background in the planning and design, project management, installation, and operation of audio systems. He has designed audio systems for a wide variety of facilities including various types of performing arts venues, houses of worship, convention and meeting spaces, casinos, and exhibit halls across the nation. Some of his consulting projects include: Phantom of the Opera theatre at The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV; a 3,500-seat worship center for Crossroads Community Church, Cincinnati, OH; a 4000 seat theater in the MGM at Foxwoods Resort in Connecticut; the 18 th floor Terrace at the Gramercy Park Hotel in NYC, NY; Caesar's Palace SW Expansion Master Plan project in Las Vegas, NV; and the Sands Bethworks Resort Hotel and Casino in Bethlehem, PA.
Jerrold has been a regular instructor for the NSCA Expo since 2001, for the InfoComm Expo since 2006, has taught classes at Integrated Systems Expos in Singapore and Amsterdam , and the PALME Show in Dubai . He was appointed to the InfoComm Academy Adjunct Faculty in 2007. Jerrold contributes to industry magazines including Sound and Communications and ProAV Magazine. He is serving on InfoComm International's Professional Education and Training Committee, NSCA's Executive Consultant Council, and the ICAT Council. Jerrold also actively involved in beta testing of test and measurement software.
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Steve Thorburn
Steve enjoys helping others understand the principals of acoustics and audiovisual technology almost as much as he enjoys sipping a good single malt scotch. His dual degrees in electrical engineering and technical theatre give him a balanced left brain/right brain approach to project solutions. As a founding principal of Thorburn Associates, he is a licensed engineer with 20+ years experience in the architectural application of acoustic and audiovisual technology. Educator of the Year, two ICIA Facility Design awards, noted author and teacher, and experience on over 2000 different projects round out his professional career.
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Randy Vaughan
Randy Vaughan is the president of Ambassador Enterprises, Inc., a systems integration firm with offices in Roanoke and Portsmouth , Virginia . Mr. Vaughan is Ambassador's lead engineer and specializes in Professional Audio, Video, and Lighting Systems. Ambassador's other areas of expertise include Health Care Communications, Security, Fire Detection & Alarm, Educational Technology, Boardroom Automation, and Residential Technology. Since 1970, they have served such varied facilities as houses of worship, K-12 schools, hospitals, assisted-living / continuing-care communities, hotels, conference centers, and corporate boardrooms. Currently the immediate past president of the NSCA, Mr. Vaughan is frequently invited to speak at technical conferences and trade shows.
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Tim Vear
Tim Vear provides technical support for both the sales and marketing departments of Shure Brothers. He is active in product and applications training of Shure customers, dealers, installers, and company staff. Vear has operated his own recording studio and sound company, and has also worked as chief technician with the speech & hearing and linguistics departments of the University of Illinois . Vear frequently presents seminars for NSCA as well as AES, the Society of Broadcast Engineers, and White House Communications.
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Chuck Walthall
Chuck Walthall is founder and president of Walthall & Associates, Inc. a Pensacola, Florida based corporation specializing in technical system training, design-consulting and system management; providing 28+ years of knowledge and experience in the technical systems industry. Mr. Walthall began Walthall & Associates after having served with a nationwide integrator for more than 16 years. Mr. Walthall's passion to teach the end-user, and God's confirmation thereof, led to him resigning his position as general manager in order to pioneer his calling.
Mr. Walthall earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Arts from The University of West Florida and his Masters degree from Capella University. Mr. Walthall has served on the associate faculty staff at Okaloosa-Walton College/University of West Florida where he developed and instructed courses in acoustics & audio technology and facilitated on-line distance learning curriculums.
Mr. Walthall authored “Sound Made Simple”, a basic guide to audio system operation in 1994 and the companion CD in 1997. In June 2000, Mr. Walthall developed an on-line, Internet based learning curriculum. In May 2006 Walthall & Associates Inc released “Sound Made Simple SMS iCD”, an interactive training curriculum that teaches the basic fundamentals of audio and acoustics.
Mr. Walthall has to his credit over 275 completed projects and holds 3 earned state low voltage licenses. Mr. Walthall is a member of the Audio Engineering Society, National Systems Contractor's Association, Deacon at Olive Baptist Church , Pensacola , FL and served on the Florida Baptist Convention's Committee on Nominations. Mr. Walthall married Laurie Ann Watkins in 1991 and they have two children, Andrew, born September 1997 and Stephen, born March 2004.
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Tony M. Warner
Tony serves as RTKL’s Director of Audiovisual Design. For over ten years he has been involved in a variety of audiovisual disciplines, ranging from broadcast systems to large presentation systems. He is among the few individuals worldwide to hold the audiovisual industry's top design certification, the CTS-D.
As an active member in both InfoComm and BICSI, the two dominant communications industry associations, he recently served as the co-project manager for a joint endeavor to create and publish a new comprehensive audiovisual design reference manual. He regularly contributes to various audiovisual publications, addressing such issues as new trends in AV technology and commercial construction.
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Mike Webb
As a former touring and studio musician, Mike performed with artists, Hank Williams, Jr., Charlie Rich, Jerry Reed, and others. Later, he started his family while working as a salesman in a retail music store in upstate New York. After the business was sold, Mike and his family moved to Huntington, West Virginia, where he managed the pro audio sales department for The Pied Piper, Inc. Mike recognized an opportunity for business based upon high demand from churches, schools, and commercial businesses for installed sound systems. In 1980, he founded Piper Sound Engineering, which evolved into a profitable sound contracting company. As the operations manager for nearly 20 years, Mike learned how to run the business, and to perform estimating, systems design, project management, and installation. In March 1999, he was hired by Electro-Voice as a U.S. Sales manager for commercial sound. Soon after, EVI Audio and Telex Communications, Inc. merged companies. Mike has been appointed to several positions while working in the Telex Pro Audio Group. Currently, he is the Director of Installed Systems Sales for the Americas.
Other accomplishments highlight Mike’s career. As an entrepreneur, he has owned multiple businesses. These include a martial arts academy, three restaurants, and MISU Residential Rental Properties. Mike holds a Second Degree Black Belt in the United Fighting Arts Federation, attended the Ohio Peace Officer’s Training Academy, studied at the Cleveland Institute of Electronics, and has acquired advance skills in customer service and repair service management. He is a member of Syn-Aud-Con, NSCA, and InfoComm. Mike is currently pursuing education in areas of “Lean Thinking” for the office environment, highly productive methods of “Getting Things Done” by David Allen, and to become a Certified Project Manager.
Mike enjoys working long hours in sales, administration, and management for Bosch Communications Systems, which is the largest sales group inside Bosch Security Systems. He is respected by his colleagues for being organized, an excellent communicator, a strategic thinker, an activist, disciplined, and consistent in business.
Courses:
Bill Whitlock
Bill Whitlock has designed professional audio/video electronics for 34 years and has been president of Jensen Transformers since 1989. His lectures, seminars and writings have helped thousands unravel the mysteries of grounding and interfacing. Writings include numerous AES papers, dozens of magazine articles and white papers, as well as several chapters in Glen Ballou's "Handbook for Sound Engineers." He’s been a guest lecturer at MIT and several other universities. His patents include the InGenius® balanced input circuit and the ExactPower® voltage regulator. He’s a fellow of the Audio Engineering Society and a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.
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Ian Wolfe
Ian graduated from the acoustics program at George Brown College, Toronto in 1981. Subsequently, he worked for a sound contracting firm in Vancouver. In 1983, Ian then worked for Coffeen Anderson & Associates for five years where his primary duties included extensive testing and commissioning of sound systems. Ian joined Acoustical Design Group, Inc. in 1988 as the primary systems designer. He became a principal with the firm in 1990 and now directs the systems design and commissioning activities. Ian has designed hundreds of sound systems for projects ranging from lecture auditoria, museums, athletic facilities, houses of worship, performing arts centers, casinos, arenas, and stadiums.
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Ben Wilson
Ben has a wide range of experience in security, fire, access, high security integration and management for over 26 years. He has been the manager for two security companies that have won SDM (magazine) dealer of the year.
As the former owner of a security company, Ben handled all areas of running a business, and found his passion to be in management.
He spends much of his time making sure the project management maximize the budget and ensure that all installations are of the highest quality with the best trained/educated and highly skilled employees. Raising the bar for the industry helps ensure that each customers purchase is the best value.
Ben is a member of the Arizona Burglar Fire Alarm Association and is the chair of the Education Committee.
He is a member of the local National Classified Management Society and is the chair of the Education Committee.
Presently, Ben is the Vice President of Operations for Safeguard Security and Communications, Inc. in Arizona.