Our Community Spotlight highlights some of the most prominent, active users in the AVIXA Xchange community. These quick interviews touch on hot topics within the AV industry right from the minds of experts in their respective fields.

My name is Anthony Castillo Sr. Director Pro AV Division with Rightech. We specialize in providing Field Technicians nationwide to our clients in the Audio/Visual, Data Center, Security/Access Control, Low Voltage, Structured Cable, Fire Control arena. We have viable, well trained, dependable technicians nationwide who can run (CAT3-6A - Rj11/45/59 - RG6 - Coax - Copper - Fiber) pull and terminate cable, hang displays, mount speakers, just to name a few. We also have programmers with Biamp, Crestron, Extron, AMX experience. Lastly, we also have Tech's with DAS Service, Access Control/Security Camera and Fire Alarm experience. All our Technicians are local boots on ground who are actual W2 employees of my company within your area of coverage. We are one of the few companies that can facilitate Union CWA and Prevailing Wage Projects nationwide.

The mission of the AVIXA Women's Council is to provide a global community of AVIXA members and other professionals committed to supporting and empowering women who work in the technology and AV industry. If you are an AVIXA member who wants to support women in our industry — no matter who you are — you are invited to join this council.

The purpose of the Systems Integrators Council is to help advance the interests and capabilities of system integrators in the audiovisual industry by emphasizing standards and best practices, supporting continuing education, and increasing industry outreach with an eye on recruitment and retention. These elements are intended to drive excellence and growth in the Audio-Visual Industry.

Paladin Technologies is North America’s premier complex-systems integrator. Headquartered in Vancouver, BC, and backed by decades of experience, we design, deploy, and support integrated building-technology solutions that span audio-visual, security, low-voltage infrastructure, and intelligent networking. With 30-plus offices coast to coast, our 1,800-strong team provides national reach with local, on-the-ground service. Mission:  Innovate through teamwork and deliver technology that empowers people, protects assets, and elevates the user experience. Core Solutions & Services Integrated Audio-Visual – presentation, collaboration, immersive & experiential environments Unified Communications – Microsoft Teams/Zoom ecosystems, networked DSP, room control Integrated Security – access control, video surveillance, intrusion & duress, perimeter, gates/turnstiles Networking & Wireless – switching, Wi-Fi 6/6E, DAS & public-safety radio, IoT enablement Structured Cabling & Low-Voltage Infrastructure Alarms & 24/7 ULC- & TMA Five Diamond-certified Monitoring Managed & Hosted Services – remote monitoring, proactive maintenance, SLA programs Consulting, Design-Build, & Lifecycle Support – planning, engineering (CTS-D, RCDD), installation, commissioning, training, and long-term service Certifications & Memberships AVIXA member with CTS, CTS-D & CTS-I credentialed professionals BICSI RCDDs and certified installers TMA Five Diamond-certified monitoring centre ASIS, PSA Security Network, BICSI, CaGBC participation (Additional regional licenses & safety accreditations held across Canada & the USA) Why Partners & Clients Choose Paladin Key Differentiator What It Means for You Single point of accountability One team for AV, security, IT & service from concept to close-out National delivery, local support Consistent standards across multiple sites with rapid regional response Certified expertise 100+ CTS, CTS-D, CTS-I; RCDD, NICET, PMP & manufacturer-certified specialists Deep vendor partnerships Direct relationships with Q-SYS, Crestron, Genetec, Axis, Cisco, and more Proven on complex projects Experience with $100 M+ new-builds, phased renovations, and mission-critical facilities Safety & quality focus COR-certified safety program, ISO-aligned processes, ISNetworld & Avetta compliant

I lead AVIXA’s Latin America marketing and communications initiatives and I look forward to making new connections on the Xchange.

With over 20 years of experience in the AV and ELV industries, I specialize in AV system design, installation, management, and integration across diverse sectors, including corporate, education, sports, healthcare, hospitality, and government. My career began in 2003 with the AV team at a 5-star hotel in Lebanon, where I developed a passion for AV systems. I hold certifications as a Project Management Professional (PMP) from PMI, as well as CTS-D and CTS-I from AVIXA, blending technical expertise with strong project leadership. I have extensive experience deploying technologies from leading manufacturers such as Crestron, Extron, Biamp, and many others, while managing vendors and ensuring seamless integration. Currently, I am part of BLINQ, a division of IMAR Trading and Contracting in Qatar, where I serve as the ELV Projects Manager, focusing on ELV systems and immersive AV solutions. I am committed to continuous learning, staying ahead of industry trends, and mentoring emerging professionals to elevate the AV field

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. 

Dr. Josiah Way is the Executive Director, Digital Spaces at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), known as a revolutionary visionary and innovator in the audiovisual industry. As the leading educational technology thought leader, Joe was recognized as the 2019 AV Professional of the Year, 2023 AV Living Legend, 2008 Businessman of the Year, and is named to multiple top industry and influencers lists, including the 2024 global Top 100 Innovators and Entrepreneurs, 2024 Who’s Who in America, 2023 Top 50 UC Professionals, and 2019 and 2022 Top 30 Higher Ed IT Leaders lists. He is a highly sought keynote speaker and writer, most acclaimed for his innovative design of the technology standard for hybrid instruction and business development within the higher ed vertical. Joe is the cofounder of the Higher Education Technology Managers Alliance (HETMA) and serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Higher Ed AV Media, host of the Higher Ed AV Podcast, and writer of the Business of AV monthly column. Dr. Way authored the bestselling book, Producing Worship, and is a regular contributor to multiple leading AV-industry publications, while also serving on numerous corporate and higher education advisory boards. Joe has over 30 years’ experience in education, technical production and the arts, and organizational leadership and management. He has been featured in Forbes Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, ABC and PBS Television, Yahoo News, and consulted for high profile organizations like the United Nations, US Department of Education, and over forty Fortune 500’s. In his free time, Joe enjoys cruising the lake on his boat with family and friends, golfing PGA West, and perfecting his Traeger meat-smoking techniques. Oh, and he once won his fantasy football league. Joe is available for speaking engagements, media appearances, and business development consulting.

Ben currently serves as the Head of Pro AV and the Sr. Director of Publishing for MarketScale, a B2B publisher and strategic marketing firm. He has over a decade of award winning experience in media publishing for large scale events, OTT & live streaming platforms, marketing, network television, and podcasting. Ben decided on his career path at the age of 7, and to date has led some of the most influential brands in the world including Intel, Nokia, Samsung and Segway, to billions of content interactions. A huge hockey fan (Go Stars!), and former contestant and current fan of Family Feud, Thomas resides in Dallas, Texas.

Helping lead the charge of AVIXA's research efforts into the trends and opportunities in the pro AV industry. When not digging into data, speaking and writing about the trends, or discussing where to focus our research efforts next, I enjoy spending time outdoors on walks, hikes or fishing adventures. Though I also have a soft spot for consuming AV content in my DIY home theater, thanks to a love for good audio I get honest from my Dad! 

Currently a Senior Solutions Engineer at Mechdyne Corporation. I started at Mechdyne as an AV Systems Designer from 2013-2018 where 90% of my projects were under-budget and delivered on-time.  In 2020, I was listed as one of Commercial Integrator’s “40 Influencers Under 40”. I started in the AV Industry in 1998, running sound at my church and school in Bloomington, MN , and doing it professionally since 2000. I graduated from Iowa State University with a BS in Aerospace Engineering in 2009 where I worked as a local stagehand at CY Stephens Auditorium and Hilton Coliseum, as well as other freelance stagehand work in the Minneapolis area. Since 2022, Aaron has continued to work various events back at CY Stephens Auditorium and at other locations in the central-Iowa area.