When I first started in AV, I remember hearing how AV professionals really care about the human experience, not just the tech. And it's true! I love connecting the dots to help people find the AV resources they need, building communities where people come together and being a part of such a vibrant (and welcoming) industry. 

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

For the past 22 years, I have been actively involved in this dynamic Industry, witnessing its incredible evolution firsthand.   I started my career as a salesman, working to understand the intricacies of audio and video market. Through education, I climbed the ranks and am now proud to be a partner and Director of Products at Discabos Group Brasil, a leading value-added distributor that supplies products and services to audio and video integrators. My responsibilities are relationships with manufacturers, forecasting, logistics, and product development.   In addition to my role at Discabos, I have been an active member of Avixa for the past decade, immersing myself in this vibrant community of professionals. In 2018, I earned my Certified Technology Specialist (CTS), further solidifying my expertise in the AV industry. I am very proud of it. Four years ago, I received a humbling invitation to join the Avixa Foundation as a Director. Today, I proudly serve as its President, a position that fills me with immense pride and a deep sense of purpose.  For those unfamiliar with the Avixa Foundation, it is a non-profit organization dedicated to encourage the talent pathway and to fostering the careers within the AV industry. We are here to create the futures leaders of our industry. To achieve this, we have assembled an extraordinary team of staff and directors who work to develop activities and programs aligned with our strategic goals. In July 2023 I began to command the operation of DUCaaS, an AV technical services outsourcing company that is part of the Discabos Group. I am concerned about the future of the AV industry regarding two important topics: Education and Sustainability. In November 2023 I started my role at SAVe, as Ambassador for Brazil. Today I serve in The Board of Directors and as co-chair of Sponsorships. I feel a deep sense of purpose in being part of SAVe. I am marathon runner for pleasure, currently live in São Paulo, Brazil, with my wonderful wife Patricia and children Luca and Bianca.

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.