Derek Smith

Inside Sales @ BOSCH, Bosch Communications
Joel Pilgrim

Business Development Manager, Barco

Matt Eckstein

Senior Engineer, CENSEO AV+Acoustics

Christopher Vann

Training Manager, Barco

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.
Christopher Dechter, CTS-D, CTS-I

Manager, Instructional Technology, University of Wyoming

Frank Padikkala

Snr. Technical Sales Architect, Zoom

Frank is an IT/AV Evangelist in the AV Industry. Frank strives to bridge the knowledge gap between Tech disciplines. As a self proclaimed "cert junkie" he holds more than 10+ IT/AV Industry certifications, along with an MS in Cyber-Security/Information Assurance and BS in IT Sec. Frank is active on social media, is a life-long learner and believes in constant self-improvement. He contributes as an SME to AV publications and IT/Cybersecurity podcasts and events. He also hosts ITFactor, an IT - AV - Tech centric podcast on www.avnation.tv He volunteers with AVIXA currently serving as the Chair of the Diversity Council where he is constantly mentoring and creating opportunities for community development through open communication.
Christopher Hewitt

Manager, Classroom Technical Infrastructure, University of Guelph

Owen Ellis

Chairman, AV User Group

Keri Lartz

Director of Operations, THE rAVe Agency

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.
Byron Tarry

Founder & Chief Transformation Officer, NEXXT

Lauren Moore

Manager, Live Content, AVIXA

Mohannad Mousa, CTS

Head Of Projects, Maktabi Tech

Powering Projects With Precision AV Delivery | Proud Finalist – AV Awards 2025, AV Professional of the Year
John Watts

Vice-President , Mills James

Carrie Deato

Systems Engineer, AVIXA

Greg Bronson CTS-D

Project Manager, Standards, AVIXA

In my role with AVIXA standards and content teams I provide technical advisement and technical content leadership. This primarily includes standards publications and the Exam Guide books. My interests span the broad spectrum of AV/IT technologies and systems our industry provides.  Prior to taking a staff role with AVIXA I worked supporting AV/IT solutions for both public and private education as a "Technology Manager" (roles including repair, installation, design and project management) as well as a longtime volunteer for AVIXA education and standards programs.
Carlos Cavalcante, CTS-D, CTS-I

Consultant, CAV Audiovisual

Strategic Executive and Engineer with over 30 years of experience leading pre-sales engineering and the delivery of high-complexity integrated systems (AV, BMS, and Fire & Life Safety/SDAI). My career is defined by technological convergence, leveraging a solid background in Computer and Industrial Automation Engineering to design mission-critical solutions that meet rigorous global standards. AVIXA volunteer in the CTS-D exam review. Amateur (and frustated) guitarist and mountain biker.
Matt Bercot

Member Services, AVIXA