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, Director of Technical Services, Laia Technologies North America

I have worked in AV since the early 1980s in various positions ranging from staging to video production. My responsibilities have included engineering, systems design, technical sales, product development, tech support, project management, customer service, CAD Management, drafting, purchasing, and marketing for A/V Integrators and Manufacturers. In 2015 I founded the AV Gives Back initiative on Twitter. Through the use of the #AVGivesBack hashtag on Twitter and LinkedIn, we help people and companies in the #AVcommunity get the information out about fundraisers, community service events, charity events, natural disaster relief, and more. Our motto is ‘helping others help others.’ https://twitter.com/AVGivesBack In the past, as a CAD Manager, I was responsible for managing successful drafting teams in the high-volume NYC Metro Area. While establishing CAD Standards and Drawing packages for A/V & Digital Signage companies I have also worked with the InfoComm International Standards development team that was working on the J-STD-710: Audio, Video, and Control Architectural Drawing Symbols Standard. As a Social Media Advocate, I am active on Social Media (Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram) helping to get out the company message and project information. I have appeared on industry Podcasts including AVNation’s AV Week, ArchiTech, and EDtech. I have presented online webinars for AVIXA's System Integrators Council on Change Orders, and FSR on AV Infrastructure and HDBaseT technologies. I have been a volunteer firefighter in North Jersey since 1985 and currently volunteer as Fire Police in Pequannock NJ. I volunteer with my son's Boy Sout Troop 144 as the Advancement Chair, Assistant Scoutmaster, and Merit Badge Counselor. I also volunteer for the Northern New Jersey (NNJ) Chapter of the Guardians of the Ribbon.
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

Director, Standards and Technical Editor, AVIXA

In my role with AVIXA standards and content teams I provide technical advisement and strategic 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

Head of AV - Mexico, Seal Telecom, a Convergint Company

In the AV Industry for more than 30 years, passing through virtualy all areas, as design, installation, commissioning/programing, sales and market development. Actually Head of AV Convergint, Mexico. AVIXA volunteer in the CTS-D exam review and in the J-STD Symbology standard revision. Amateur (and frustated) guitarist and mountain biker.
Matt Bercot

Member Services, AVIXA