Richard Hodges
University Library AV Architect & IT Systems Engineer , Universtiy of Virginia
Up through May 2022, I managed the AV Engineering & Operations team at the University of North Georgia. We maintained multiple campuses of classrooms with control systems in each and we worked with a team of support technicians who handle work on incident management while we handled incident escalations as well as problem management, change management, and request fulfillment (to use the ITIL vernacular).
In May 2022, I became a Design Engineer 1 for AVI-SPL, based out of the Atlanta, GA office. I worked with the Account Managers to design systems for customers prior to sales, then worked with the post sales team once a system is purchased. Over the next two years, I was promoted to Design Engineer 2. In October 2024, I became an Engineering Manager for AVI-SPL, managing the Design Engineers and Project Engineers in the Atlanta, GA office.
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.
Works for Queen Elizabeth II Centre, Westminster, London in the Studio Visual and Event IT department.
Michael Willis
Courtroom Technology Specialist, United States District Court - Northern District of Iowa
Eighteen years of experience in higher education AV, three years of experience in government AV. Non-professional interests include tennis, hiking, and the gospel.
Long time AV industry member, lover of tech, and wizard.
George "Red" Fournier Jr. CTS
Founder, Director of Technical Services, Laia Technologies North America
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.