Bill Larsen, CTS, serves as District AV Technology Coordinator for ISD 197 (West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan, Minnesota), managing AV services across nine buildings including two high schools, two middle schools, and five elementary schools. He holds the CTS credential from AVIXA and serves as a Subject Matter Expert for CTS exam development.
Bill is the founder of Backstage Essentials LLC, an independent consulting practice focused on K-12 performance space and AV systems. His forthcoming book, Backstage Essentials: Skills for Stagehand Technicians in Live Event Production, is being published by Routledge/Taylor and Francis in 2026.
He also serves as Education Coordinator for IATSE Local 490 and brings more than 30 years of experience in educational technology and live event production.
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.
Presently as Regional Director, AVIXA for India and GCC, I do aspire to support the AV and IT industry with access to the resources that are most beneficial to the businesses and professional outcomes.
My focus will be to bring to the AV/IT community in the region, knowledge and skill development through AVIXA Education, Certification and Training Resources. I look forward to work closely with allied associations, industry groups and professional society in the region with a similar focus.
And my areas of interest and learning are indeed the Emerging Technologies (what we know as AI, Metaverse, Cloud, Industry 4.0, and the likes) and how they impact what we do in our professional and personal lives as Humans!
Do feel free to reach out to me.
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.