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. 

I'm passionate about the Pro AV market and excited to assist AVIXA members and the broader community to engage in more business and support for the overall growth of the industry.

I have been in the Audio-Visual industry for 20+ years in various sales and marketing roles in both the private and public sectors. My work history includes working with integrators and manufacturers such as Christie Digital, Epson, and currently with QSC. I am passionate about helping women succeed in the industry and have spent the past 6 years working with the AVIXA Women’s Council, a group of professionals committed to supporting and empowering women who work in the technology and AV industry – first as a member, two years ago appointed as co-chair to the Los Angeles/Orange County region, and at the start of 2022, Co-Chair to the council. The council has over a thousand members and 50 groups throughout the world.

Renee Benson is a seasoned veteran of the A/V industry with over 15 years experience as a Regional Account Manager in the Midwest. Over the years, Renee has worked as a reseller, distribution and manufacturing rep, most recently with Sharp NEC Display Solutions.

People + Process + Space + Technology = COLLABORATION

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.

I believe marketing should do more than make noise. It should make it matter. Whether it’s driving demand, building brand heat, or giving sales teams something real to run with, I’m here to make sure marketing actually moves the needle. At CTI, I lead a team of people who give a damn about results and relationships. From Pro AV to broadcast, mission critical spaces, and beyond, we create campaigns that build trust and drive growth. No cold DMs. No gimmicks. Just work that works. What drives me? The endurance mindset. I’m an athlete, a coach, and someone who believes showing up when it’s hard is what makes it count. Let’s build something that lasts. If you care about people, growth, leadership, or building brands that actually work, I’m all ears.

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.