UK - Le Maitre's Events Department has announced the appointment of a new team member.Emerson Wellens has been appointed as Special FX Technician, following the departure of head pyrotechnician, Mark Thomas.
Wellens will assist with technical queries from clients, as well as designing and firing shows, generating risk assessments and method statements, advising clients on the effects to be used for their projects, undergoing site visits and preparing proposals for shows.
USA - Biamp Systems has announced the promotion of Steve Metzger to vice president of business development and Paula Linn to vice-president of manufacturing. Both executives are long-time members of the Biamp team, and in their new positions will report to Ralph Lockhart, president, Biamp Systems.
"Since their arrival here, Steve and Paula have independently helped make Biamp Systems a better company," Lockhart explained. "In their new roles I have every confidence they will help make Biamp even stronger - not simply in terms of the product that we build but also the support that we provide, the partnerships that we enter and the strategic direction that we take."
USA - Lighting designer Ken Billington is to present the keynote session at the third annual Stage Lighting Super Saturday seminars. Billington says: "I am always happy to speak at any stage lighting educational seminar. I think that the Stage Lighting Super Saturday seminar is one of the best."
A dozen theater lighting professionals will speak. About 20 manufacturers will be on hand and have technical personnel and equipment to demonstrate.
Sonny Sonnenfeld says: "The programme is designed to educate beginners and new professionals who seek additional training. It will be 10 hours of hard work, fun, and a great learning experience."
The tentative program includes inspiration, stage lighting 101, fixtures, colour, consoles, moving lights, trouble shooting, paperwork, and other subjects. The seminar will take place at LaGuardia High School for the Fine and
UK - KV2 Audio has announced the appointment of Dave Ball to the role of field sales manager, covering the Midlands and Southern area of the UK. Ball brings a wealth of audio sales experience, technical knowledge and a surfeit of enthusiasm to the role.
KV2's operations director, Andy Simmons, commented: "We're delighted Dave has joined the KV2 Audio team. He understands the KV2 philosophy, the technology behind it, and combines the right mix of personality with passion for the product."
Ball elaborates: "KV2 Audio is the best sounding system I've ever heard. Moving to KV2 Audio was an easy choice for me as I have such faith in the system."
Ball is no stranger to audio sales and comes to KV2 Audio from Birmingham's LMC Audio, where he held a technical-sales position for three years. Previously, he managed Bullet Sound, the Staffordshire-based PA hire comp
USA - Theresa Kelley has recently joined Total Structures as sales executive for the US Central and Mountain Regions and will be making her first 'public appearance' on Total Structures LDI stand. Prior to joining Total Structures, Kelley was western regional sales manager for fellow truss manufacturer Tomcat USA and sales manager for Barbizon Light of Arizona.
Kelley will be based mainly in Telluride, Colorado, however she intends to spend a large amount of time on the road visiting both old and new customers alike.
UK - Bryan Robinson took office as president of the Institute of Sound and Communications Engineers at this year's Institute Day and AGM in October 2007, taking over from David Hopkins OBE.
With 50 years in the industry, and his experience with Robbotronic Co, Horsham, Robinson's ambition is to encourage young people to become involved in the sound industry, and the ISCE are working closer than ever with Colleges and Universities throughout the UK to promote this.
Robinson commented: "The ISCE is committed to furthering the knowledge of all our members and we are rolling out a training programme which will actively help raise the standards of design and installations within the industry."
USA - Meyer Sound has announced the appointment of Bob Langlois to the position of senior technical support representative. Langlois will be providing technical support and design services to Meyer Sound's customers, and will also join the company's worldwide education programme to teach seminars on audio concepts and real world applications.
A pro-audio veteran with more than 30 years experience, Langlois joins Meyer Sound from Audio Analysts in Colorado, where he held the positions of vice president of worship design and senior project manager. Langlois has designed and managed the sound system installations at some of the best known churches in the country, including Phoenix First Assembly and Jubilee Fellowship Church. His career has also included positions with MXR, Whirlwind and other manufacturers in the audio industry.
UK - As a result of expanding market shares in the audio-visual and custom install sector, Dynalite Europe has appointed Phil Hardy as UK sales engineer to provide technical and sales support to dealers and distributors.
Hardy has been working for Dynalite in a technical support and engineering role for the last eight months and his promotion to this role will enable Dynalite to continue providing first class technical sales support to the custom installer and AV dealer whilst also managing the planned expansion of sales, says the company.
In his new post, Hardy will be "actively seeking out custom installers looking to distinguish themselves from their peers in an increasingly competitive marketplace".
USA - At the Opening Ceremonies of the 123rd AES Convention in New York City, Soundcraft technical director and co-founder Graham Blyth was presented with the Fellowship Award "in recognition of his distinguished career in mixing console design and service to the Society", noted AES President Wieslaw Woszczyk, who officially conferred the award at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
"I was both surprised and delighted to be awarded an AES Fellowship, particularly because I've never presented any papers on my subject," notes Blyth. "What I have learned and done in the 37 years I've been designing consoles has more to do with having green fingers and a very inquiring mind than any structured research process, so I was flattered for the recognition of my contributions. It was also an honour to share the stage with such luminaries as Bob Ludwig, Phil Ramo
Germany - Stephen Rodway has joined Telex/RTS with responsibility with immediate effect for Eastern Europe and the rapidly growing Russian market.
Comments Nico Lewis, director sales CCS EMEA, "I am absolutely delighted that we have been able to secure the services of yet another seasoned expert to add to our team. Stephen has already accumulated many years of precious experience in the broadcast, intercom and telecommunications market and has been active in a leading role for the last seven years in a variety of regions."
For years, I have admired the innovations and company philosophy of Telex/RTS," says Rodway. "To be a part of the firm now fills me with pride."
UK - SES Entertainment Services has announced the appointment of Graham Barron as their new north-based account manager, after advertising the position at www.lsionline.co.uk. Barron will join the growing team at SES, working from his office near Leeds. Barron, who has been in the industry for many years, will be expanding the customer base, and developing new markets and products.
UK - Bringing many years of product management and technical knowledge, Neal Tomlinson joins the 11 business development managers who make up the business development team at Stage Electrics. Tomlinson will be based in Wales, working closely with customers in the area.
Hailing originally from a retail background, Tomlinson spent 12 years at Roland, latterly as product manager for the RSS division, part of the successful Sound Snake launch.
USA - QSC has named Dale Sandberg as its new senior product manager. Sandberg, who comes to the post from dbx Professional Products, will take charge of guiding the development of the Costa Mesa, CA-based manufacturer's installed sound product line.
"Dale joins us at a truly venturesome time in our company's history," QSC VP of marketing Gerry Tschetter said upon officially announcing Sandberg's appointment. "With his solid background in multiple vertical markets, and reputation as an innovator of industry-leading technology, he'll be bringing fresh new insights into our marketing and product development efforts."
From 2005 until taking on his current role at QSC, Sandberg served as dbx's senior product manager in Sandy, UT. While with dbx, Sandberg's accomplishments included playing a vital role in the development and marketing of the DriveRack and ZonePRO
USA - Meyer Sound has announced the appointment of Mauricio Saint Martin as director of Middle East sales. In his new post, Saint Martin will be responsible for company sales throughout the Middle East and North Africa, as well as on the Indian sub-continent.
During his 18-year career in pro audio, Saint Martin has gained experience in contracting, sales management and international distribution. Prior to his recent appointment at Meyer Sound, Saint Martin served as international sales director for QSC Audio.
"I have known Mauricio for many years and his reputation in the pro audio market is impeccable," says Mike Cooper, Meyer Sound's International sales director. "We are very fortunate to have someone with his abilities and experience join our team."
UK - Element Labs has announced that it has appointed Andrew Hawker as senior project manager, Europe and Middle East. He will be based in Element Labs' London offices and will lead the company's newly created dedicated European project management and support team.
Hawker has over twenty five years experience working within the events, broadcast TV and corporate communication industries. Prior to joining Element Labs, he held senior commercial and technical positions at Blitz Communications and Creative Technology (London). Over the course of his career, he has played a key role in the success of many high-profile projects, including the Athens 2004 Olympic opening and closing ceremonies, where he acted as video and projection consultant for Jack Morton Public Events.
Claas Ernst, European managing director for Element Labs commented: "We are enormously proud to have Andr
Sheffield company tdc has expanded its operations with two key appointments. The audio visual and live event specialists have taken on Andy Briggs, from Worksop, to head up the company's production and project management division. Andy has more than 20 years industry experience and previously worked as production manager at Harrogate Conference Centre and project manager at national AV company MCL.
Christopher Laffey, from Huddersfield, has also joined tdc and will head up the company's sales division. He has more than 25 years sales experience working for Sony in the broadcast division - 18 years in the installation of audio and video systems.
The appointments come as tdc is currently in discussions about expanding its operations in to Manchester. Eamonn Hunt, director at tdc, said: "We are delighted to welcome Andy and Christopher to the company at what is a very exciting time
USA - Tony Forman has joined Theatre Projects Consultants (TPC) as a project manager in the group's US office. Forman has over 25 years of experience working in international, regional, and collegiate theatre. His responsibilities at TPC include project management, programming, theatre planning, and advice on both facility management and operations.
"I am excited to apply my accumulated experience in production, administration and community cultural organizing to the work of TPC." says Forman. "Building or renovating a performance space has always been a keen interest of mine, and I now feel well suited to this unique endeavour. I am thrilled to be part of the team."
UK - VISLINK Group has announced a number of strategic appointments to augment its specialist Defence, Law Enforcement and Security (DLES) business development initiative, with dedicated sales appointments to cover Europe and Asia.
Lee Norton has been appointed as DLES regional sales manager for Europe, and David Ayotte has transferred from group company Microwave Radio Communications (MRC) to take up the position of International DLES regional sales manager, with responsibility for Asia. In addition, Laurence Venner has joined the team as a specialist systems engineer.
DLES business unit director, Matthew Richards, commented: "These appointments reflect the market opportunities for our unique combination of solutions, providing best of breed systems for a range of government agency and defence applications."
USA - Biamp Systems has confirmed the appointment of Peter Owen as regional sales manager for Western Europe. In his new position, Owen, who most recently served as international sales manager for Martin Audio, will be responsible for managing sales operations in the UK, Ireland, Scandinavia, France, Spain, Iceland and Greenland. Owen reports directly to Graeme Harrison, Biamp Systems vice president of international sales and will be based regionally in Bedfordshire, UK.
Owen joins Biamp Systems with extensive sales management experience in professional audio and systems integration. He became international sales manager for Martin Audio in 2003 and was responsible for all operational and distributor management in 20 key territories. Prior to Martin Audio, Owen was project sales specialist at Arbiter Group in London where he managed projects including installations at major stad
UK - Alan March has joined Sennheiser UK as Business Development Specialist after twenty-one years in various roles at HW International and Shure Distribution UK. Having spent his years in the Pro Audio field working in marketing, sales and engineering roles, March arrives at Sennheiser UK with a wealth of experience and a broad knowledge of the industry.
"Coming to Sennheiser UK is a tremendous opportunity," he explains. "The role of Business Development Specialist is a new position and that excites me. Through the years I've done many different things ¬ sales, marketing and most recently applications ¬so I feel I'm very much suited to the role. This is a chance for me to move on and create something new, which is very appealing."
"My role at Sennheiser will be to develop business, particularly with regard to the Pro and Install side, which will, no
USA - A.C. Lighting Inc has appointed a new North American Sales Representative to support the company's continuing growth plans in the US and Canada. Graham Likeness joins A.C.'s sales team in the newly created position of sales representative - Western US and Canada.
Based in Calgary, Alberta, Likeness will provide in the field support for the company's stockholding of general distribution products and leading technology brands - including the exclusively distributed Jands Vista, Hog 500/1000, Event, ESP and Stage lighting console ranges, and the Chroma-Q range including colour changers, gobo rotators, PSUs, and the Color Block, Color Split and Color Web multi-purpose LED solutions.
Likeness has nearly 20 years' entertainment lighting sales experience, holding the previous positions of VP for sales and marketing at Pathway Connectivity Solutions for 11 years and eight years
UK - Media Powerhouse has appointed Howard Jenkins, formerly of Blitz Vision, as account and project manager where his priorities will be "to ensure that the company delivers the highest quality of services to Media Powerhouse's rapidly developing AV project rental business, catering for small and medium sized production companies".
Jenkins has over 30 years' industry experience. He was employed by Blitz for 17 years and prior to this he worked at Hammond AV for 13 years. Jenkins joins forces with Alan Macdonald and Kevin Orwin who are already installed in the new enterprise.
UK - Selecon has announced the addition of Ritchie Reed to the sales team at Selecon UK. As the Southern area territory manager Ritchie will be responsible for working directly with end users whilst maintaining relationships with current dealers in the South East including London.
Ritchie brings a wealth of experience to this new role with a combined production, technical, exhibition and sales management background in the entertainment services industry.
Reporting to Mike Goldberg, Selecon's European sales and marketing director Ritchie will work alongside Louise McCoy in the on-going development and support of Selecon's position as recognised leaders in fixed luminaire technology for theatrical and entertainment lighting.
"Ritchie's experience with corporate clients at Edric Audio Visual brings the understanding that the end user is the all important part of our busine
USA - Harman International Industries has announced that Ken Yasuda, president of Harman Japan, is expanding his responsibilities with immediate effect to assume the newly created position of country manager of Harman Japan. In his new assignment, Yasuda will report directly to Harman International chief executive officer, Dinesh Paliwal.
"The successful implementation of Harman's new best practices management programme will play an important role in driving our long-term growth in Japan and throughout Asia," said Yasuda. "I am honoured to have been selected to lead this initiative for Harman International, as I am convinced this approach will produce results that will directly benefit Harman customers in all professional, consumer, and automotive market segments."
In addition to serving as president of Harman Japan, Ken Yasuda is also chairman of the Inter