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

I am the Program Coordinator for UK, Ireland and Africa with AVIXA and based in the UK. I can help guide you with anything to do with membership, courses, CTS and AVIXA Partnered ECS Card. 

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 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.

Works for Queen Elizabeth II Centre, Westminster, London in the Studio Visual and Event IT department.

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.

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. You can find him writing about topics like product management, entertainment technology news, and whatever geeky notion catches his attention today. Recently, he was named to Commercial Integrator's 40 Influencers Under 40 list for 2025. https://www.leonprather.com

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 Tyler Lawrence, the Manager of Council Administration 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.

You may also know her as @NerdyGirlAV. Jenn is an active leader within the AVIXA Diversity Council, serving as chair since 2024. Jenn was also a part of SCN The Nine: Class of 2021 and Class of 2022 Commercial Integrators 40 Under 40. She’s passionate about creating opportunities for incoming folks into the industry and advocating for neurodiversity and mental health awareness.  Her experience in AV ranges from project coordination, rentals, marketing, sales, service, AV consulting, and she currently works as a design engineer with AVI-SPL. Something you may not know about her is that she achieved her BS in Media Arts & Design at James Madison University and her Master's in Sociology at The New School for Social Research.