Minal Papalkar (She/Her)

Head of Pre-Sales Department, Panacor Technologies LLC
Rajasekar Krishnan

AV Project Engineer & Programmer, Technoa Middle East LLC

Urmil Vaidhya

Solution Design Engineer and Consultant, AV Industry

Started Journey as Live sound System Engineer For small AV company in 2007. Then join one Dubbing studio and Done Some Movies Dubbing and Music Mixing Till 2008. After 2008 Started working as Freelancer for Audio Jobs as Recording, Dubbing and Mixing engineer for regional language Music and Movies. From 2010 corporate journey Started with Manufacturer of AV Acessories in India. Till 2012 worked as Technical Marketing team Head for the Product developments and Possible solutions for Pro Audio and Video Industry Acessories. After 2013 Started working for Pro Audio Industry Products as BDM for West India. From 2016 Working as Individual Audio, Video and Acoustics Design Consultant for freelance projects across India and in global market.
Camila Chavarri

Embajadora Avixa XChange | Head of Marketing , Newtech Group

Hi everyone! i´m very happy to be part of this community! I´m Camila, Head of Marketing at Newtech. I´ve been part of this profession for 10 years, going through different industries and now I have been in the AV industry for 4 years and counting! I am very excited about all the innovation and constant evolution that this field brings. It is quite a challenge for us marketers. I would love to hear more from everyone at Avixa Xchange. Let's get in touch!
Virginia Molina

Gerente de Marketing y Relaciones Globales | Embajadora de AVIXA Xchange | Embajadora de SAVe, Proyecciones Digitales - GPA Argentina y Uruguay

¡Hola a todos! Estoy encantada de ser parte de esta comunidad. Soy Virginia, Gerente de Marketing y Relaciones Globales en Proyecciones Digitales – GPA Argentina y Uruguay. Con 13 años de experiencia en la industria AV, me apasiona la innovación, el arte y todo lo que impulsa nuevas formas de crear y conectar. A lo largo de mi carrera, he buscado integrar la interculturalidad y la sustentabilidad en cada proyecto, porque creo que solo con una mirada consciente y diversa es posible generar un impacto real y duradero.
Alexis Bou Farhat, CTS-D, CTS-I

ELV Project Manager, IMAR Trading and Contracting

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. Technical leadership spans advanced audiovisual ecosystems including digital signage networks, broadcast and media systems, large-format LED environments, video mapping, PAVA and emergency communication systems, intelligent wayfinding, collaboration spaces, lecture theatres, hospitality technologies, and integrated control platforms. Known for bridging the gap between consultants, architects, operators, and technology vendors to ensure cohesive design delivery and future-ready infrastructure. Strong focus on user experience, operational efficiency, scalability, and reliability across complex facilities. Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and AVIXA CTS-D / CTS-I, demonstrating mastery in AV system design, integration, and project governance. Active contributor to the global AV community as an AVIXA Xchange Advocate across the Middle East and GCC. Industry speaker at the Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2023 & 2025 in Barcelona, Infocomm India Sep 2025, representing Qatar and contributing insights on evolving AV technologies, project delivery practices, and knowledge collaboration within the global AV community. 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
Franklyn Mogale

Technical Sales Engineer, Wyrestorm Technologies Europe Ltd

At Newtech Group, we guide our customers throughout their digital transformation and technological adoption journey. Making complex communications and collaborations solutions simple for all types of organizations. We streamline and transform traditional channels into agile and effective ones, allowing for greater efficiency and productivity. We started the business 22 years ago but before those years we inaugurated the first videoconference service though Latam in 1989, leading us today to help the customers in design and deployments of MTR rooms.  Our knowledge on phone system integration evolved from LCS (Live Communications Services) to OCS (Office Communication Services), to Skype for Business, and now to Microsoft Teams. As we continue to grow, we are leveraging our expertise in audio and video, adoption and change management, cognitive services, and software development, we provide a comprehensive view to ensure successful customer outcomes. Partnering with Microsoft in many areas: FastTrack Ready Partner, Microsoft Teams Rooms partner program, JumpStart Employee Experience Viva program and performing as an ISV to develop extensions to the Microsoft 365 platform, positions us to tackle customer issues from different fronts. Besides, we have strategic partnerships with global hardware vendors, like Poly/HP, Logitech, Crestron, Lenovo, Jabra, Cisco, Neat, Yealink, Jupiter and more to complete our offering. We provide services throughout Latin America with commercial offices in Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Panama, Brasil and the United States.
Alejandro Laserna

General Manager, Riegner Pop Media

Antonio Vaca

Project Manager, Dextra Electronics Mexico

I´ve been in this industry since 2002, I graduated from electronics engineering while working as AV designer, after a while I realized that there were many things I couldn´t understand about sound that I was passionated about so I decided to do masters on sound and vibration in Sweden, during all these time had the chance to design and be responsible for relevant projects like Panamerican games athletic stadium, soccer stadiums, arenas, concert halls and many other of all kind
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.
Najam Hussain

ELV Engineer, IMAR Trading & Contracting Co. W.L.L.

Carla Charlton

Manager, Live Content EMEA, AVIXA

Sheila Bowman

Sr. Manager, Member Services, AVIXA

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ABU ALI FARMIDI

BROADCAST-PROFESSIONAL-MULTIPLATFORM-STRATEGIST, Weboxyzen

As a broadcast professional and multiplatform strategist with a passion for writing, I bring a unique perspective to content creation. Throughout my broadcasting career, which began in 2005, I have honed my skills in video production, system integration, and live event management. I have also managed interns and performed field marketing projects while maintaining a self-driven commitment to ongoing learning and growth. In addition to my technical expertise, I am also an avid reader and enjoy exploring new avenues for personal and professional development. My work in the digital media and web development sector has given me a fresh perspective on the power of content to connect with audiences and create meaningful change. As a multifaceted individual, I take pride in excelling in various pursuits. From international competitions and sports events to writing and volunteering, I always seek new ways to challenge myself and positively impact the world. If you're looking for a collaborator who can help you bring your ideas to life and deliver results on time, I'm here to help. Let's connect and explore how to work together to achieve your goals.
George "Red" Fournier Jr. CTS

Founder, Vice President of Technical Services, Laia Technologies North America

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.
RAMESHA NAYAKA

Manager–Pre Sales, BLACK BOX LIMITED (Formerly AGC Networks Limited)

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as a highly capable and 20 Years experienced AV professional with a strong engineering background on the consultancy, design, implementation, project management and commissioning of integrated AV systems and troubleshooting & Maintenance. I have been serving our clients in various industry segments across various levels of organization like Education, Corporate, Government, Hospitality, Medical / Hospital, Residential AV/Home Theaters and Auditoriums.
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.
Guillermo Burgos Barroso

MEA Sales Manager, LDA AUDIOTECH

I've worked in LDA Audiotech (PA/VA manufacturer) since 2018 taking care of sales in the Middle East and African markets.
Manoj Kumar K

Account Manager -India,GCC, AVIXA

Passionate in identifying and delivering the right resource to our members in the Pro-AV market from India & GCC countries to achieve their goals in Education , Certification, Standards and Market Research so they better utilise them for the development of their businesses. https://xchange.avixa.org/users/avixa
Monisha Devaiah

Marketing Manager -APAC, AVIXA

I lead AVIXA’s APAC marketing and communications initiatives, which include member communication, vertical market events, educational programmes and AVIXA’s brand presence at the association’s trade shows in the region. I look forward to making new connections on the Xchange and leverage digital as a medium to offer value to members and support the association’s commitment of being a hub for AV in the region.  https://xchange.avixa.org/users/avixa