John Thomas
AV Sustainability and E-waste Research, Member, AVIXA Sustainability Advisory Group
Retired in 2021 after 45 years in the commercial AV Industry, to pursue education and research in sustainability and electronic waste. After completing a three year term on the Board of SAVe - Sustainability in AV, my goal is to further address the environmental impact of AV e-waste—specifically on our water, soil, and air—by promoting thoughtful, sustainable business practices within the commercial AV community.
Entrepreneur of the AV industry and communication technologies. Enthusiastic and committed to people, in creating companies with a high human sense, passionate about marketing and new forms of digital communication. With more than 27 years of experience, I currently manage Viewhaus, my goal is to lead the company and make it a benchmark in the AV industry in Mexico, as well as being part of the most important AV service provider network around the world. I I volunteer for AVIXA Xchange and I am part of the AVIXA sustainability advisory group, this allows me to endorse my interest and commitment to sustainability, circular economies and the environment.
Senior Director of Development for AVIXA in EMEA with over 20 years experience in AV and IT industries. Started off in sound engineering in the late 90s then pursued a career in IT. After working in web development I returned to AV and have not looked back! I do at times pine to work more directly with the amazing technology available today to help create great AV experiences but I do get to see them being shared and celebrated! I look forward to seeing many of those examples on the Xchange!
As a Principal Design Consultant at HMBA, I lead the transformation of performing arts and facility projects from innovative concept through construction and commissioning. In this leadership role, I ensure that every project not only meets aesthetic and technical standards but also resonates with our clients' vision and needs.
Core Responsibilities:
- Project Leadership: Direct and oversee the design of various theater components—including stage rigging, seating, lighting, acoustics, and sound systems—ensuring that each project is executed with precision and creativity.
- Client Communication: Serve as the primary client contact, expertly translating their unique needs into practical design solutions that bring artistic visions to life.
- Team Management: Lead and mentor multidisciplinary design teams, fostering an environment of collaboration and innovation to achieve successful project execution.
- Technical Expertise: Apply a deep understanding of theater technology, design principles, and industry best practices to elevate every project from concept to completion.
- Business Development: Drive firm growth by identifying new opportunities and actively engaging with prospective clients in diverse markets.
- Strategic Planning: Develop and implement strategic plans to address complex client needs and achieve project goals effectively.
- Quality Assurance: Rigorously maintain the highest quality standards in design and construction, ensuring impeccable outcomes for every project stage.
- Problem-Solving: Proactively identify challenges in design, construction, or project execution—and implement innovative solutions to overcome them.
- Documentation and Reporting: Prepare comprehensive project drawings, detailed reports, specifications, and other critical documentation for internal teams and clients.
- Budget Management: Collaborate in developing and managing project budgets, ensuring that initiatives remain within scope and are delivered on time.
Analytical and results-driven Project Manager with extensive experience leading large-scale projects and on-site implementations in Control & Automation, Low-Current Systems, and AV technologies. Passionate about smart building and smart home solutions, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned with client expectations. Strong background in physics and computer science, enabling structured problem-solving and innovative system integration.