Global Diversity and Inclusion Program Lead for Exertis.
About Exertis Exertis is the leading technology distributor of consumer, business and enterprise products from pioneering technology brands, playing an integral role in supplying the world with cutting-edge tech. Over forty years Exertis has distributed the technology that transforms societies and facilitated the world’s transition to digital. These days Exertis distributes everything from AV solutions to AI-powered smart-tech. Exertis is powered by the mantra 'our people, our customers, our business'. In 2020 it won 'Best Company to Work For' at the CRN Sales & Marketing Awards. In the year to March 2021, Exertis had a turnover of £4.483 billion. Exertis, a wholly owned subsidiary of parent company DCC PLC, a FTSE 100 company, represents more than 700 brands in the UK alone and continues to grow. As technology evolves, so does Exertis. www.exertis.co.uk
A higher education technology leader well versed in AV, broadcasting, live and recorded video production, and teaching. Experienced in the study of virtual environments, video games, and accessibility.
Don is the current President of the Educational Technology Collaborative (ETC, etcollaborative.org), The mission of ETC is to provide leadership and a forum for information exchange to the providers of media content, academic technology, and support for quality teaching and learning at institutions of higher education.
Don is also the Director of UCF’s nationally recognized Office of Instructional Resources, which is responsible for AV design, consultation, integration and engineering, project management, end-user support and training, and planning for the university.
For the past 20 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. 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.
Works for Queen Elizabeth II Centre, Westminster, London in the Studio Visual and Event IT department.
I have worked in AV since the early 1980s in various positions ranging from staging to video production. My responsibilities have included engineering, systems design, technical sales, product development, tech support, project management, customer service, CAD Management, drafting, purchasing, and marketing for A/V Integrators and Manufacturers.
In 2015 I founded the AV Gives Back initiative on Twitter. Through the use of the #AVGivesBack hashtag on Twitter and LinkedIn, we help people and companies in the #AVcommunity get the information out about fundraisers, community service events, charity events, natural disaster relief, and more. Our motto is ‘helping others help others.’ https://twitter.com/AVGivesBack
In the past, as a CAD Manager, I was responsible for managing successful drafting teams in the high-volume NYC Metro Area. While establishing CAD Standards and Drawing packages for A/V & Digital Signage companies I have also worked with the InfoComm International Standards development team that was working on the J-STD-710: Audio, Video, and Control Architectural Drawing Symbols Standard.
As a Social Media Advocate, I am active on Social Media (Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram) helping to get out the company message and project information. I have appeared on industry Podcasts including AVNation’s AV Week, ArchiTech, and EDtech. I have presented online webinars for AVIXA's System Integrators Council on Change Orders, and FSR on AV Infrastructure and HDBaseT technologies.
I have been a volunteer firefighter in North Jersey since 1985 and currently volunteer as Fire Police in Pequannock NJ. I volunteer with my son's Boy Sout Troop 144 as the Advancement Chair, Assistant Scoutmaster, and Merit Badge Counselor. I also volunteer for the Northern New Jersey (NNJ) Chapter of the Guardians of the Ribbon.
Still a bit of an AV rookie. Not technical at all unless you need the clock on your VCR reset. Ally for Diversity & Inclusion across all industries. Member of the AVIXA Foundation Board, Diversity Council, and Women's Council. I have no clue what that component does. Professional Speaker. Aspiring Game Show Host. Below Average Charity Golfer. Overuser Of Capital Letters Where They Are Not NECESSARY. He/Him.
With over 20 years in the audiovisual industry, Leon Prather has worked extensively in both the technical and creative sides of AV. A digital native and advocate, he has also held numerous roles across digital services for organizations, including AVIXA, where he serves as Manager, Digital Product Operations. You can find him writing about topics like product management, entertainment technology news, and whatever geeky notion catches his attention today.
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 love sharing what this dynamic community has to offer and am excited to serve as Community Manager of AVIXA Xchange!
I'm Tyler Lawrence, the Administrator of Member Engagement Programs here at AVIXA. I work with the AVIXA Councils to support their missions and projects. Please chat with me if you would like more information on our Councils or would like to get involved.