MDG has enjoyed steady growth over recent years, with recent projects including the Universal Studios 'Coin' project in Florida, and all the atmospheric effects for Céline Dion at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. As wel
(Lee Baldock)
Managing director Martin Hawthorn told PLASA Media: "The company has grown dramatically in recent years, to the point where we regularly complete a wide range of contracts from international conferences to parties, music tours, product launches and major permanent installations. Tony's appointment offers us the opportunity to take our services into the exhibition and allied markets, at a time when the true value of effective lighting is becoming appreciated in these areas."
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
"Greg's will be a tough act to follow," Sager confides. "He did a tremendous job building the market and providing our customers with the support they need. As far as my own plans are concerned, promising business as usual sets the bar fairly high right from the start." Sager joined QSC in November of 2002. Prior to making the move to southern California, he spent six years with EAW, most recently as the company's director of market development for installed sound products, and before that was director of strategic projects with Mark IV Audio. Sager will play a vital role in the introduction of QSC's next gener
(Lee Baldock)
Derek enjoyed a long and successful career in audio sales - his extensive product knowledge was paralleled by an enduring personal interest in computing and a garage full of everything you would ever need to fix anything. His years in audio included positions with beyerdynamic, Hayden Labs, ASC (with his famous Skoda company car) and Alice (Soundtech). In 1998, he joined Nagra (GB), where he approached the role of sales and marketing manager with typical self-effacing humour - often adding that he had only himself to manage, which was quite enough!
As a long-standing and active member of the Institute of Broadcast Sound, Derek accepted honorary membership in December 2002 'in recognition of his contribution to broadcast sound over many y
Doemelt has a lot of experience having served as a lighting programmer for Princess Cruise Lines, a staff master electrician at The San Diego Repertory Theatre, a shipboard lighting technician and programmer for Carnival Cruise Lines, and a lighting designer for several San Diego theatres, including Asian American Repertory Theatre, New Village Arts, the Fritz Theatre, Euro Trash Productions, and McCaleb Dance.
NED principal consultant Jim Tetlow commented: "This year we are on track to design a
The Board's enquiries suggest that the cause of his contracting mesothelioma was his close contact with asbestos curtains and borders - commonly used to provide heat separation between lanterns and scenery in British theatres during the fifties, sixties and early seventies. "As an assistant electrician in various London theatres at that time, I remember
(Ruth Rossington)
Fenwick has spent many years specializing in the nightclub and bar areas of the professional entertainment industry. At Robe UK, he will be working across all disciplines, including dealing with hire companies, corporate event producers and the retail industry. Ian Brown says: "It's great to have Stuart onboard, bringing more positive energy into the Robe UK equation, specially in time for PLASA!"
(Lee Baldock)
Meanwhile, at the company's HQ in Austin, Texas, returning HES veteran Grif Palmer has accepted the role of vice-president of Americas sales. Palmer reports to Wiseman and also manages sales operations. "There couldn't be a better time to return to High End," says Palme
At the same time, Gear-Source and AVR have announced that they have relocated to a new facility in Weston, Florida. The new contact address for the companies is: 1930-1 North Commerce Parkway, Weston, FL 33326, USA. Telephone: +1 (954) 389 8866, Fax: +1 (954) 389 5747. The toll-free number will remain the same: +1 (866) 669 GEAR.
(Lee Baldock)
Previously a technical support engineer for the company for over two years, Alistair had also fulfilled the same role for two years at Vari-Lite. His technical knowledge and overseas experience will prove invaluable to Fourth Phase, as the company adds the Madrid production of We Will Rock You to its portfolio. Smyth will join the existing project management team of James Hall and Simon Harborow.
(Ruth Rossington)
Simon has 10 years of experience in the lighting industry and returns to Martin UK after three years as technical manager at moving light rental company Set Lighting & Sound. Prior to that he was employed at Martin UK as a technical support engineer, working on various on-site projects, as well as conducting training courses and helping to run the Martin University.
(Ruth Rossington)
"By providing excellent customer service, as well as supporting the sales department with all questions regarding control products, Matthias will help provide the right product for the right application," commented Michael Nevitt, control product manager at Martin US. "He was an integral part of the Maxxyz Beta Test Group for the past year, which makes for a seamless transition into the Martin team. It's a great benefit to have another control expert on the staff."
Henrichs, a German native who originally hails from Berlin, moved to Los Angeles in 2002. Prior
Nick Spalding MD of Leisuretec Distribution commented on the appointment: "I am delighted that Adrian has joined our sales team as I believe he is very customer-focused, an element that is crucial in our aim to provide high levels of customer service through our 'Pure Distribution' policy'."
Leisuretec Distribution currently offers in excess of 5,000 products from more than 75 manufacturers to trade customers only.
(Ruth Rossington)
Arthur was from a large family of 10, and in his earlier years, life was a huge struggle for all of them. However, he managed a good Grammar School education and became interested with (then still relatively new) radio/wireless. During World War II, he was one of a secret team making concealed radios/transmitters for use by the Special Operations Executive (SOE) and the airforce.
Following the war, he was asked to set up a new loudspeaker factory in Wales (Truvoice - part of Phillips) and instigated the first flow-line assembly, along with various test procedures. In 1957 he moved back to London area and was the service manager for Goodmans L
Since 1992, Fuller has been president of the Lee Filters USA division of Panavision. He says: "Wybron products have consistently maintained the best possible reputation for quality in our industry. While I will miss my colleagues at Lee Filters, I am honoured to become part of the fantastic group of people building some of the best gear in entertainment lighting."
(Lee Baldock)
"Vari-Lite has always prided itself in being a lighting company, and not just a company that makes lights," said Steve Carson, general manager of Vari-Lite parent company Genlyte Controls. "When we created the technical product manager position, it was important that we bring in someone who recognizes the 'show must go on' mentality of the entertainment industry. George understands the needs of true lighting professionals because he spent years on the road as one of them."
Masek will be based out of the company's Dallas headquarters.
David Catterall, managing director of High End Systems Europe, commented: "Fons knows the industry, he knows the products and best of all, knows our customers. It's a perfect fit - this is a people business and we've got the right guy."
(Ruth Rossington)
Staff changes are completed with the appointment of existing production manager Sue Ellis to the role of operations director. Sue has been with the company for a couple of years and masterminded the recent factory move. While not known for his gushing praise, Chris Scott offered a few words: "From day one, working with Sue has been like working with a partner, not an employee; her support and commitment is invalua
"In one sense, mine is a building mission of sorts," McLagan commented."QSC has dedicated a lot of resources to the development of new products outside of its amplifier lines. Now, with the DSP, loudspeaker, network control and signal transport technologies we've added to our catalogue well on their way to becoming established here in the US, it's time to build the presence of these systems in the rest of the world too. As part of this expanded international commitment, we'll also be offering added support to both distributors
Fowler has been in the professional lighting industry for 12 years. His career started at Theatre Projects in Greenford, from which he moved on to Vari*Lite's technical support department. He also worked at the Millennium Dome as a programmer/operator for the Wholehog II consoles running the Central Show, plus multi-tasking in other areas of the attraction. In 2001 he joined Flying Pig Systems' technical support department, and has now moved to P.I.D.
In addition to his wealth of experience in technical support, Fowler has also worked on a variety of live events
Ward joined Allen & Heath's Sales Department in 2000 at the company's base in Cornwall, UK, where he managed sales activities for the UK reseller market. Sales and marketing director, Bob Goleniowski, commented: "Jamie has developed excellent relations with our dealer channels during his time working in the sales office. His insight into the audio market has matured and we believe he is more than capable of supporting our UK dealers as our market share continues to grow. I am confident that he will quickly be
