Willis has played many roles in the concert touring industry since his start in the 1980s. With a law degree in hand, he left New Zealand to tour as a lighting tech. He returned to New Zealand in 1989 and soon become general manager of Theatrelite - a manufacturer of lighting consoles and dimmers - where he established a dealer network throughout Australia and Asia. In the early 1990s he moved to Tennessee to join Bandit Lites as marketing manager, moving up to vice president. While there he established relationships with the industry's top designers, production and tour managers for WWE, Van Halen, Queen, Radiohead and more.
"After being out of the touring market for the last four years," Willis said, "it is my great pleasure to join Christie Lites and get back into the business that I enjoy so much. I never realized how big and successful Christie Lites is, and the employees are happy, friendly and highly skilled. I am pleasantly surprised by all the support I have received from the industry. It's great to be working with all my friends again."
Christie Lites owner/CEO Huntly Christie said, "Richard Willis? We Canadians get along okay with the Kiwis - it's probably our shared inferiority complex. LOL! Richard's arrival to Christie Lites is certain to bring more colour, depth and personality to our already eclectic and somewhat crazy group of reps."
(Jim Evans)
