"Fred's visionary leadership has propelled ETC into the top rank of the world's leading manufacturers of stage lighting equipment. ETC has been constantly innovative in technology with such products as the Source Four spotlight, the Sensor dimmer and the EOS and Obsession control systems. From the outset of ETC in 1975, Fred knew that the stage lighting industry was a people-oriented one and he has constantly attracted the brightest talent in the world to his rapidly growing international business," commented Richard Pilbrow, Chairman Emeritus of The Wally Russell Fund.
"Fred is by far the youngest winner of the Wally Russell Lifetime Achievement Award," commented Tom Folsom, president of the Wally Russell Fund. "His accomplishments to the entertainment industry have however been clear, and unprecedented. It was never the intent of the Wally Lifetime Award to have to wait until a deserving individual was near the conclusion of their career, and it is our hope that by recognizing Fred and his many accomplishments at this time that The Wally Award and Fred will continue to motivate and contribute to the industry."
"I never had a chance to work with Wally Russell, but many of my friends did. The impact that Wally made on these people, as well as on our industry, makes receiving this recognition in his name truly an honor," comments Foster.
Since 1992, The Wally Russell Fund has sponsored Lighting Interns at the Los Angeles Opera and the Canadian Opera Company on an annual basis and also awards the Wally Russell Lifetime Achievement Award as well as the annual Wally Newcomer Award in honour and memory of Wally Russell, an industry pioneer and mentor to many in the entertainment industry.
(Lee Baldock)
