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James Thomas management restructure

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - John Hickinbotham, known to his associates as 'John Jig', returns to UK-based James Thomas Engineering as client liaison co-ordinator. This is part of the company's current management restructuring, and follows the departure of Mervyn Thomas.

Jig returns to the company after three years working in IT, previous to which he worked at JTE for 20 years. He will be working alongside the sales and product development teams for both Pixel Range, and JTE's core trussing, metalwork and lighting fixture business. His focus will be on ensuring that JTE stays at the forefront of technical innovation - an element that's helped keep the company a market leader in the production industry for over 25 years.

Jig commented: "It's really great to be back. It's hugely exciting to be part of a lively and energetic team, all working together in creating a new, revitalized and highly effic

L-R: Julian Pieters, Leon Pieters and Ken Hollands.

Ampetronic strengthens management team

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Induction loop specialist Ampetronic has announced two new appointments to accommodate the increasing demand for induction loop systems in new and challenging environments. Julian Pieters assumes the position of managing director, with Ken Hollands becoming commercial director. Ampetronic's founder, Leon Pieters, takes on the role of technical director.

Julian Pieters joins Ampetronic from Cambridge Consultants, one of the foremost consultancies delivering turnkey product and technology development programmes. His management experience there, plus an INSEAD MBA, makes him ideally suited for his new role. Hollands, meanwhile, has a strong technical background and extensive international sales and marketing experience within the advanced technology and communications industries, working for companies such as Marconi and JDS Uniphase. During his career, he has successfully de

McMillin joins JHS' HK Audio team

Details: 14 March 2016

UK/Ireland - Acclaimed sound engineer Moray McMillin has been appointed pro audio sales manager South/National Concert Sound Specialist for John Hornby Skewes & Co. Ltd - the exclusive UK and Eire distributor for HK Audio. From Nov 1st, a, dealing with the continuing acceleration of interest in HK Audio pro audio systems, concentrating on the mainly southern section of the UK.

McMillin is a hugely experienced sound engineer with over 30 years of top flight experience under his belt. He has toured the world many times over with major rock acts such as Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Dio, Whitesnake, Souxsie and The Banshees and Suzanne Vega. "The last nine years have been spent touring worldwide with Deep Purple," explains Moray. "That was a wonderful experience as innovation and quality of sound is very important to the band. Consequently, I was given the opportunity

Sarah Cox for Live Business International

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - London-based entertainment venue A/V installation specialists Live Business International has appointed Sarah Cox to the post of Technical Administrator.

Cox has joined LBI having worked for a rental company as a lighting technician, specialising in automated lights. Before that she worked as the stage manager for the Comedy Store in London. She has a wide range of experience from running - and even performing in - cabaret shows to editing videos.

She now works for LBI as the Technical Administrator, administrating and co-ordinating installations, and various other projects, from conception to completion. LBI founder and director Roland Hemming says: "Sarah's wide ranging experience of both the creative and technical sides of the entertainment business make her ideally suited to this busy role and it's great to have her on board."

(Mike Lethby)

Vickie Claiborne leaves High End Systems

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - Industry training specialist and lighting programmer Vickie Claiborne has left High End Systems to launch an independent career as a training development consultant and automated lighting programmer. Claiborne has worked with High End Systems for over 10 years developing training programs recognized worldwide for lighting control consoles and digital media systems. She has created and maintained a consistent training curriculum for many leading products, including LCD Controllers, Status Cue, Wholehog 2 and most recently Wholehog 3 and Catalyst. Her programming experience includes the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony as well as numerous live concerts, broadcast events, and corporate industrials.

Claiborne is now actively expanding her coverage of product support seminars to include various lighting control systems and digital media products throughout the lightin

Stefan Fiedler joins MA Lighting

Details: 14 March 2016

Germany - MA Lighting has announced the appointment of Stefan Fiedler as technical sales and project coordinator, in which role he will support the company's international sales and project business, especially concerning tenders and complex system integrations. Fiedler is both a product and system expert and has experience of R&D, production, sales and the market.

As engineering graduate (Dipl.-Ing) for theatre and event technology, Fiedler worked for the Nationaltheater Mannheim, before joining Stella AG as stage and lighting director. Since November 1999 he has worked for the Despar Licht- und Bühnentechnik GmbH, where he was responsible for the planning as well as realization of special projects.

(Lee Baldock)

Vision appoints Russian sales exec

Details: 14 March 2016

Russia - Vision Systems, the global provider of early warning fire, public address and security systems which purchased Ampekko/Millbank earlier this year, has announced the appointment of Mikhail Elisseev as a regional sales executive for Russia. The appointment is a result of increased demand for Vision Systems' very early smoke aspirating VESDA solution. The appointment will ensure even better levels of technical support to Vision Systems' network of channel partners, and promote awareness of VESDA to target end users and specifiers throughout Russia and CIS region, say the company.

Mikhail has extensive experience in the field of fire engineering from his role with SEM, the leading Russian Fire Engineering and VESDA reseller. Prior to his time with SEM, Mikhail was a teacher at the State Service Technical School and holds a Masters Degree from the Academy of State Fire Servi

David Wilkins joins Selecon

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Selecon UK has announced that David Wilkins, formerly a senior manager with Lancelyn in Oxford, has joined their team as UK market manager with effect from 25 October. Mike Goldberg, Selecon's European sales director comments: "This is a very positive appointment. David has a great deal of experience in the lighting industry and I'm looking forward to working with him."

Wilkins originally trained in stage management at the Guildford School of Acting, after which he worked for a number of hire companies rigging lighting and staging equipment. It was the lighting side of the business that caught his imagination and he joined Strand Lighting, where he stayed for seven years, doing a variety of jobs including estimator, project manager and mobile sales engineer. A variety of other jobs primarily in the lighting industry gave him the broad experience that he now bring

Lift Turn Move's new team member

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Lift-Turn-Move, the newly-launched company fronted by John Jones, has already announced the appointment of an additional team member, as Alan Wood joins the core LTM team of five. As works engineer, Wood will be working alongside his colleagues prepping Lodestars, and further improving LTM's systems for faster and more efficient processing of orders received since the company's inception at PLASA.

Wood first worked with Jones at PCM, which he joined aged 18. He left four years later to work as assistant engineer with industrial lifting and rigging specialist Cosalt, continuing his career in the lifting business. Wood comments: "It's going to be a great challenge working with LTM - a brand new company with a brand new attitude and lots of drive and enthusiasm. I am looking forward to helping make the company a great success."

John Jones says: "Our business

PRG merger sees Pagett depart

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Ed Pagett, the well-known general manager of VLPS Lighting Services which merged with PRG recently, has left the company following an internal reorganization which sees David Keighley of LSD-Fourth Phase take over at the head of the newly-formed PRG Lighting division. It is understood that Pagett left the company in mid-October, although no official statement had been issued by PRG at the time of going to press.

L-R: Francesco Romagnoli, Eric Mueller and P. J. Turpin of Clay Paky America.

Eric Mueller joins Clay Paky America

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - Industry veteran, Eric Mueller, has joined Clay Paky America as regional sales manager for the central and eastern US. Mueller joins Clay Paky America with 14 years of experience in the entertainment lighting market and for the last four years he has been with another intelligent lighting manufacturer. With the recent restructuring of the dealer and distribution arrangements for Clay Paky products on the East Coast, Mueller will be the face of Clay Paky across a significant portion of the country.

"We are thrilled that Eric chose Clay Paky America as his new home," said P.J. Turpin, CEO of Clay Paky America. "He makes a great addition to the team, which now includes a fantastic technical support manager in Giovanni Zucchinali and an almost seamless interface with the factory thanks to the excellent support of Francesco Romagnoli, the area manager for North

New chairman at APRS

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - David Hamilton-Smith, owner of Soho audio post-production facility, China Blue has been elected by the APRS Board to succeed Focusrite's Phil Dudderidge as the new chairman of the Association of Professional Recording Services.

Hamilton Smith has a broad experience of the recording industry both in music recording and audio post-production. His career started at Olympic Studios in Barnes under the stewardship of Keith Grant where he was involved in recording every conceivable kind of music. A five-year spell as a freelance engineer/producer preceded joining Complete Video as head of sound where he stayed for 12 years, becoming a director, before leaving to open his own facility, China Blue, which has recently launched a new 5.1 Surround Room.

In a statement to mark his election DHS said: "I am genuinely touched and honoured to have been invited to be the new chairman

New marketing coordinator at Wybron

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - Wybron Inc announces the appointment of Joan Bolen as Marketing Coordinator, effective November 3, 2004. Joan holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing from The University of Texas at Austin and brings an energetic and creative perspective to Wybron's sales and marketing efforts. She has a long background with computers and graphic design and has worked in marketing and public relations for the past 15 years.

An admitted theatre addict, Bolen says she is excited about learning more about the technology of Wybron's stage lighting products and hopes to contribute in all aspects of promoting them.

(Lee Baldock)

New secretariat appointment at ISCE

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - The Institute of Sound & Communications Engineers (ISCE) has announced that Ros Wigmore has been appointed to provide secretariat services to the ISCE, replacing Cathy Mackezie, as of 1 October 2004. Ros Wigmore can be contacted at PO Box 7966, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 7WY.

(Lee Baldock)

Vari-Lite adds to training team

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - Vari-Lite has hired Todd Kessler to oversee additional growth and development of its product training program. Expansion of the program will help ensure that the market is staffed with qualified technicians and will allow authorized Vari*Lite dealers to provide greater product support for end users. The company says the position was created due to the large increase in demand for Vari*Lite fixtures following the recent introduction of four new Vari*Lite Series 3000 and Series 2000 luminaires.

Kessler, who is fully trained on all Series 1000, Series 2000 and Series 3000 luminaires, has nearly a decade of experience with Vari*Lite products. He joins Vari-Lite from PRG, where he was shop manager for the Orlando rental office. At PRG, and previously VLPS Lighting Services, Kessler trained all incoming employees on the use and maintenance of the rental inventory. He also superv

New faces at Stage Electrics London

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Stage Electrics has announced two new additions to its team serving the London scene - Matt Townsend and Darren Beckley. Townsend, who joined the company in September and is working with West End theatre and touring clients, is well known in the industry and most recently was the technical manager for Gilded Balloon. Prior to this, he toured with Saturday Night Fever and Forbidden Planet. "Working closely with Stage Electrics in the past allows me to bring a different perspective and insight to make sure our customers receive the best possible service," says Townsend.

Darren Beckley has recently been promoted to business development manager for London, taking on the responsibility for securing new and growing existing business by satisfying local customer requirements. Beckley has worked for the company for three years, starting in the Bristol ware

Promotions at L-Acoustics USA

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - In tandem with the announcement that L-Acoustics of France is now the sole owner of L-Acoustics US, three promotions of North American-based personnel have been announced by Dr. Christian Heil, president of L-Acoustics.

Paul Freudenberg, formerly the director of sales for L-Acoustics US, now assumes additional responsibilities as vice-president of sales and marketing for L-Acoustics US. In this role, he will continue to spearhead all North American sales activities in addition to now directing the distributor's marketing initiatives and overseeing daily operations for the company.

Diane Monet also takes on more responsibility as she moves into the capacity of vice-president of finance and administration, while Bernie Broderick remains the office's primary technical contact under his new title, head of technical support.

"Each of these three individuals has been

ELP appoints new project manager

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Continued growth and company expansion have led to a new faces joining ELP. Martin Brennan has been appointed as Project Manager at ELP and brings 18 years' experience as a freelance LD, touring with acts including Iron Maiden and Jethro Tull. Martin believes that his diverse experience of lighting rock and roll productions, pop promos, conferences and other live events will benefit ELP by bringing a fresh 'client side' perspective to the projects they handle.

"I have a hands-on approach and like to see jobs through form concept to completion. ELP already has a fantastic reputation for looking after their clients but I want to raise the bar even higher. I expect to be frequently out on location making sure that the LD's we service are getting exactly what they need."

ELP is well-known for their work in lighting televised live music performances and Martin feel

Ken DeLoria (left) and Mike Case join Digidesign.

DeLoria and Case at Digidesign

Details: 14 March 2016

USA / UK - Digidesign has appointed Ken DeLoria as worldwide director of live sound sales and Mike Case as European live sound sales manager. Together, they will introduce Digidesign's new Venue live sound product line to the world. Venue is an innovative, state-of-the-art, modular live sound reinforcement mixing and processing environment offering the quality and functionality of high-end live sound mixing systems at an affordable price.

Ken DeLoria brings nearly 30 years of experience to Digidesign's entry into the live sound market. He will be responsible for putting together a global sales team, setting up world-wide distribution, and helping to guide marketing in the development of materials and programs. DeLoria founded and sold Apogee Sound Inc, a worldwide manufacturer of loudspeakers and amplifiers. His previous experience also includes eight years at McCune Sound prov

Digigram's Asia-Pacific appointment

Details: 14 March 2016

France - Digigram, the digital audio network solutions specialist, has appointed Joe Tan to the position of regional sales manager for the Asia/Pacific region. Based in the offices of Digigram's sales subsidiary in Singapore, Digigram Asia Pte Ltd, Joe's mission is to further develop Digigram's sales throughout the region.

Tan has over 10 years' experience in the broadcast sector, having spent the last three years as regional sales manager for Asia Pacific with UK-based intercom manufacturer, Drake Electronics. Prior to that he occupied different sales and engineering positions with Transmarco H. Warte, Panasonic, and Techmen Communications. He also has a degree in Electronics and Communications.

Digigram managing director Philippe Delacroix is pleased to welcome Joe on board. "Joe has already proven himself capable of handling both project engineering and sales respons

UK sales manager for EAW and EAWC

Details: 14 March 2016

UK - Loud Technologies Inc. recently announced the appointment Steve Badham to the position of UK sales manager for the EAW and EAW Commercial brands. Badham has a long history in the professional audio industry, and in particular with EAW, and is also an associate member of the Institute of Acoustics.

Badham's association with EAW began in the late '90s when he held the position of European technical sales engineer for EAW International, as they were known then, and formed part of the commissioning team for Barcelona Camp Nou Stadium. After that he went to EAW's UK distributor, Sound Department, where he commissioned EAW's first UK multiplex cinemas in Epsom and Bradford. More recently he has been running his own audio/acoustics company before rejoining EAW in October.

Loud Technologies' Martin Warr commented: "We are delighted to welcome Steve to the UK sales team. He i

Promotions at expanding Audio-Technica

Details: 14 March 2016

Europe - Audio-Technica Ltd (UK and Europe Division) has announced the promotion to its Board of Directors of Tony Cooper as UK sales director and Adrian Rooke, as European finance director. The company reports that this expansion of the Board of Directors comes towards the end of a year that has seen considerable growth of the company's structure. Other appointments to the Board of Directors of Audio-Technica UK Ltd include Toshiyuki Hatakenaka and Shigeru Uzawa, representing two manufacturing divisions of the Corporation in Japan.

On 1 April 2004, Audio-Technica UK assumed responsibility for all European distribution and completed a refurbishment and expansion of its Leeds-based office and warehouse facilities in June. To support this major expansion of European operations, new appointments during this year began in April, with that of Richard Garrido as European marketing and

Adamson/DV2 appoints European sales manager

Details: 14 March 2016

Canada - Adamson Systems Engineering has announced that effective January, 2005, Andreas Weingärtner will join DV2 (Adamson Support Europe) as the company's European sales manager. The appointment was made by Guy Vignet, managing director of Paris-based DV2.

"With Andy we won an extremely competent and enthusiastic salesman for this new position," said Vignet. "His experience and specifically, his expertize is relevant to loudspeaker technique and will certainly be beneficial to Adamson."

Weingärtner is well known to many in the pro audio business. Since the mid-'80s, he has worked with a number of established manufacturers and has built and extended his national and international connections within the field.

"I am very excited to be able to fulfill this position, particularly with regard to the Adamson brand," said Mr. Weingärtner. "Lo

LOUD builds sales management team

Details: 14 March 2016

USA - LOUD Technologies introduced the addition of Carolyn Hommer as director of customer fulfilment and Paul Roberts as domestic sales administration manager. Hommer brings ten plus years of management experience from Trendwest Resorts in a variety of departments including Financial Services and IT. During her time at Trendwest, she was recognized for her contribution as recipient of Manager of the Year for three successive years and IT Employee of the Year. In her new role, Hommer will manage the sales administration department, with a primary focus on processing new sales orders and working closely with the sales, finance and operations departments.

Paul Roberts was inside sales coordinator at Symetrix for the past seven years and worked in all aspects of international and domestic sales administration. At LOUD Roberts will focus solely on domestic sales administration, and l

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