For our March ‘25 Xchange Community Spotlight, we're featuring AV Industry veteran @Craig Park, Director of Digital Experience Design for Clark & Enersen, and founder of CatalystFactor. As an architect and collaborative technologist with 40 years of experience, he’s known for his thought leadership, creativity, and integrity.

But where did his AV journey begin? While studying at Cal Poly SLO, a valuable internship helped kickstart his career. 

“I got a summer internship in the Los Angeles office of Hubert Wilke Inc. (now Shen Milsom & Wilke), the godfather of AV consulting,” said Craig. “Their clients were all the architects I wanted to work for. After graduation, Hubie offered me a job in their New York City office. As a young, 3rd-generation Angelino, that sounded like a great adventure, and it has been.” 

Early in his career, leaders and mentors encouraged him to take on roles outside of his professional responsibilities. This led him to volunteer and attend a six-month postgraduate course in Leadership at the Advanced Management Institute. There, he began to wonder: What makes effective leadership? He’s been studying and speaking about it ever since—even co-authoring a book, The Architecture of Vision.

“Leadership is a collection of traits and not just a position or title,” he explained. “By dedicating time to developing your leadership traits, you position yourself for career advancement, more substantial work relationships, and a more fulfilling professional life. I've been fortunate to have some great mentors who influenced my career trajectory. The most important advice I was ever given was to ‘love what you do.’ Finding a focus that brings you joy allows you to master your craft, naturally taking you on the path to leadership.” 

Along the way, Craig has watched the AV industry evolve, serving on several AVIXA committees, councils, and the Board of Directors. He’s been involved in many projects, including the CTS and CTS-D certification programs. 

“One of my favorite projects was working with Randy Lemke (then CEO of InfoComm) to develop the marketing plan for the CTS certification program, which raised awareness of AVIXA and CTS's value across the AEC sector. My latest project is as a podcaster for The EdUp Experience network. My new show, the EdUp Smart Space podcast, will feature guests from across the education, design, and AV sectors. We'll explore how technology is transforming the spaces where students learn, collaborate, and innovate,” he said. 

Since joining Clark & Enersen in 2022, he’s been able to add his expertise in AV/IT Security and Smart Building systems design to their portfolio. He also brings his unique knowledge to the table at CatalystFactor, his private consulting practice. Inspired by his mentors and fueled by his passion for work, he continues to significantly impact both environments. 

"Ken Blanchard, a leadership development guru, once said, ‘No one is as smart as all of us.’ That mantra frames my approach to the delivery of our services at Clark & Enersen, as well as my approach to advisory consulting,” he stated.  

On Xchange, Craig often shares tips on working with AEC firms and effective leadership development. When asked about the platform, he expressed that his favorite aspect is the site's variety of insights and perspectives. 

“It's a wonderful place to get a sense of the latest developments in the AV industry. The combination of technical and operational information is unique,” Craig said. 

Thank you, @Craig Park! To stay updated on members of our growing community, make sure to follow the Xchange Community Spotlight page.