Aaron Peterson, CTS-D, CTS-I

Senior Solutions Engineer II, Mechdyne
Kelly Smith - AVIXA

Marketing Manager, US/Canada, AVIXA

Hi! I help connect people to AV education, standards and more resources from AVIXA. I am an expert in finding resources to help you meet your training and certification prep needs to help you reach your goals.
Erin Maher-Moran

IT Manager - Classroom Technology, Johns Hopkins University

Erin Maher-Moran is the IT Manager – Classroom Technology at Johns Hopkins University (JHU).  She manages the Classroom/Audiovisual Technology Services team. Her team designs, installs, supports and maintains the classroom technology in general pool classrooms, as well as supports events, on the Homewood Campus in Baltimore, MD. She is also the Vice Chair of the Higher Education Technology Managers Alliance (HETMA.org) and the host of AVNation’s EDTech podcast. With 25+ years in Higher Education AV, Erin has seen the industry grow and change in leaps and bounds.  She has been programming Crestron control systems since the early 2000’s and an AVIXA Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) since 2008. Erin is a former roller derby skater and coach.  This has helped her understand the importance of building a dynamic team as well as allowed her an opportunity to develop her leadership skills and style. Erin holds a BFA in illustration and an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Interactive Multimedia Development from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). She is currently pursuing her MS in Engineering Management – Technical Leadership at JHU. 
Ryan Corcoran

Director of Campus Media Services, Wichita State University

Michael Stokes

Director of Audio visual Services, Northwestern College

Patty Wanzer

President, Synigize llc

George "Red" Fournier Jr. CTS

Founder, Vice President of Technical Services, Laia Technologies North America

George “Red” Fournier, CTS, serves as Vice President of Technical Services for Laia Technologies North America, leading the company’s technical strategy, partner enablement, and product‑integration initiatives across the U.S. and Canadian markets. With over 40 years in audiovisual engineering, systems design, and unified communications, Red works closely with Laia’s global product and development teams to ensure the company’s camera and software ecosystem delivers seamless, reliable, and customer‑centric experiences. His ability to blend deep engineering expertise with real‑world integrator insight makes him a trusted voice in translating emerging Laia technologies into practical, scalable solutions for corporate, education, and government environments. Red is also known for his leadership and advocacy across the AV industry. He founded AV Gives Back in 2015, uniting the AV community around service and support efforts under the #AVGivesBack banner. He has held several roles within AVIXA’s councils—including the Manufacturers, Diversity, and Women’s Councils—and served as Chairman of the Systems Integrators Council from 2020 to 2022. Throughout the pandemic, he helped guide integrators through unprecedented disruption by establishing collaborative forums, partnering with the ITS Council, and advancing initiatives on contractor best practices, workforce development, and new‑hire onboarding, reinforcing his long‑standing commitment to industry standards and community resilience. Beyond his professional impact, Red is a lifelong volunteer dedicated to service, mentorship, and community support. Since 1985, he has served North Jersey communities as a volunteer firefighter, fire police officer, trainer, and hazardous‑materials emergency responder. He remains deeply engaged in youth development with the Patriots Path Council of Scouting America in New Jersey as a District Commissioner at Large, Unit Commissioner, merit badge counselor, and advancement administrator for both Troop & Crew 144. Red and his wife Beth, celebrated as the first female firefighter and first female captain in the 190‑year history of the City of Paterson Fire Department, are especially proud of their son, Seán, who will enter NJIT’s Ying Wu College of Computing as a first‑year student academically classified as a junior, pursuing Computer Science, Cybersecurity, and AI after completing his A.S., 61 credits, Security+ and ISC2 CC certifications through the County College of Morris/Morris County Share Time Program in Pequannock HS.
Mike Brandes

Senior Product Marketing Manager, Q-SYS

I'm currently a Senior Product Marketing Manager for Q-SYS, engaging with all of our customers and channel partners to help identify and build better solutions. Previously I was the Q-SYS Video product manager, and before that Q-SYS Control product manager as well.
Michael Hooper, CTS-I

Education Solutions Manager , Biamp

Talks about #biamp, #triathlon, #audiovisual, #mountainbiking, #sci-fi, #technology #wine, #tacos, and #highereducation
Mechdyne Corporation is a broad-based technology partner specializing in audiovisual and information technologies (AV/IT), visualization and software solutions, immersive virtual reality environments, technical support services, physical security, and network infrastructure. We excel complex projects where an in-depth understanding of user requirements leads to the development of customized solutions involving elements of display, graphics computing, software, and professional services. Headquartered in Marshalltown, Iowa, with offices across the North American and in the UK and Malaysia, Mechdyne serves a global client base that includes leading government laboratories, university and research centers, energy, aerospace, manufacturing, and medical organizations, as well as any other user of advanced technology.
Mark Eggert

Audio Visual Technician, Macalester College

Tobi Tungl

Chief Marketing Officer, CTI

I believe marketing should do more than make noise. It should make it matter. Whether it’s driving demand, building brand heat, or giving sales teams something real to run with, I’m here to make sure marketing actually moves the needle. At CTI, I lead a team of people who give a damn about results and relationships. From Pro AV to broadcast, mission critical spaces, and beyond, we create campaigns that build trust and drive growth. No cold DMs. No gimmicks. Just work that works. What drives me? The endurance mindset. I’m an athlete, a coach, and someone who believes showing up when it’s hard is what makes it count. Let’s build something that lasts. If you care about people, growth, leadership, or building brands that actually work, I’m all ears.
Chuck Espinoza

Instructor, AVIXA

Jeff Brum

Director of Marketing and Sales Operations, Mechdyne Corporation

Steph Beckett

Managing Editor, rAVe [PUBS]

Lisa Matthews, CTS

Open to opportunities , NA

A marketing professional and 20-year AV industry veteran, I am a proud CTS holder and enthusiastic #AVfoodie who is passionate about innovative technologies, design, and all things AV. I look forward to connecting with you here on Xchange and invite you to join me on LinkedIn as well.  To reach me, please message me on LinkedIn, as I am unable to reply to conversations here. 
Noreen Esson

Client Success Manager, Diversified

As a Client Success Manager at Diversified, a leading global technology solutions provider, I oversee the delivery of cutting-edge audiovisual (AV) services to clients across Canada. With over 12 years of experience in customer-focused and operational roles, I bring a strategic approach to client relationships, ensuring both satisfaction and long-term success. My expertise spans strategic planning, cross-functional team leadership, and optimizing operational performance. I am passionate about leveraging technology to drive business transformation and enhance the customer experience. In addition to my role, I am a strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and I actively support initiatives that promote these values both in the workplace and the AV industry. Some of my recent honours include being named Service Delivery of the Year, Top 100 Women in Events, 40 Under 40 by Commercial Integrator and BizBash, and Outstanding Volunteer of the Year by Meeting Professionals International Toronto.
Megan Dutta

Director of Emerging Technologies, THE rAVe Agency

As a technology journalist, Megan A. Dutta puts her passion for the audiovisual industry on each and every page, whether print or digital. Dutta is currently the director of emerging markets at LAVNCH and editor-in-chief of LAVNCH [CODE] where she explores new technologies like extended reality (XR), experiential advertising, projection mapping, and more.
Annie Foster

Associate Director, Classroom Technology, Washington and Lee University

Mike Pedersen

Audiovisual Experience Manager, Iowa State University

Mike Pedersen, the Audiovisual Experience Manager at Iowa State University since the summer of 2018, brings over 30 years of experience in the engineering industry with a focus on the professional audiovisual (AV) sector for the past 25 years. Leading the Audiovisual Experience Team (AVXT) at Iowa State, Mike oversees the maintenance of AV systems in over 200 university classrooms and provides consulting, installation, and repair services across campus. The AVXT won the 2023 Higher Ed AV Team of the Year with Higher Ed AV Media.  Recognized as an expert in the field, he holds both Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) certifications in Design (CTS-D) and Installation (CTS-I), a distinction shared by only approximately 700 individuals worldwide. In 2018, AVIXA named him CTS Holder of the Year.  Mike currently serves on the Membership Committee and Certification Renewal Committee with AVIXA, and he previously served as an elected member of the Certification Steering Committee and chair of the Technology Mangers Council.  He currently serves on the board of directors with the Educational Technology Collaborative (ETC) as the Membership Committee and Program Committee.  He has previously served extensively with HETMA including as the 1-year at large board member.  Before joining Iowa State, he spent almost 19 years at Mechdyne Corporation, contributing to various roles including engineering manager, R&D, and pre-sales engineering. Outside of his professional endeavors, Mike actively volunteers in STEM education, serving on the governor's North Central Iowa Regional STEM Advisory Board. A 1994 graduate of Iowa State University, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with distinction and a minor in History and is working toward a Master of Engineering in Engineering Management degree.
Narin Nara

Producer, Digital Media, AVIXA

Hello, I'm the Digital Media Producer at AVIXA! I'm a proud #AVTweep and love working in the awesome, vibrant industry known as AV. I'm Thai-'merican, overly-obsessed with cars, a hockey rink rat, and a doggo dad. (he/him)