IN MEMORIAM: On May 6th, during a David Bowie concert at Miami's James L. Knight Center, spotlight operator Walter “Wally” Thomas fell 50' to his death. Thomas was a 20-year veteran of the concert lighting industry.
High End Systems (HES) New York has relocated to a new suite number in its building and increased its tech support. Joe Haller joins the automated lighting manufacturer as a fixture specialist for HES legacy products and the new digital product line of Catalyst and DL1. The new address: 311 W. 43rd St., Suite 604, New York, NY, 10036.
HES has also launched a community website at http://www.highend.com/community. The site enables registered members to ask questions and exchange valuable information about all aspects of digital content preparation.
Mike Wood Consulting LLC launched a free, web-based database containing full versions of US utility and design patents relating to entertainment lighting and available for immediate download as PDF documents. Applications and European patents will follow. To access the database visit: www.mikewoodconsulting.com.
Entertainment Technology is expanding its distribution chain, finalizing distribution networks in Asia, Europe, and Latin America and furthering its presence in Canada. Vice president of sales Bob Schacherl and regional sales manager Jim Crooks have met with dealers in Europe, while regional sales manager Jaime Friedstadt has begun the same process in Latin America, as has JR Chai in Asia. Regional sales manager for Canada John Bilyk, Chai and Friedstadt will retain their roles as regional sales managers for Vari-Lite in each of their respective territories.
Troels Volver, CEO of Martin Professional, Inc., recently celebrated his ten-year anniversary with the company. Volver, a Danish native, started at Martin's international headquarters in Aarhus, Denmark, where he led the international sales department. He has spent the last six years at the helm of Martin US
Philips Luminaires and Martin Architectural have formed a commercial cooperation in Europe that enables Philips Luminaires to offer Martin Architectural luminaires within certain segments of the architectural lighting market. The agreement does not involve Martin's entertainment division or any other division of Philips.
Creative Stage Lighting Co., Inc. announced the addition of Jennifer Farrell, Sharyn Wright, and Kimberly Stevens to the sales team. The new sales associates will service the West and Mid-West territories.
ETC has announced new titles and roles for two of the current vice presidents. Industry veteran Steve Terry will assume the leadership of the global R&D department, expanding his role to vice president of research and development and professional services. Steve Downs has been appointed to the position of vice president of manufacturing and European operations.
Strand Lighting has appointed Tim Burnham president of the Strand Lighting Group, based in Cypress, California. Burnham recently left French multi-national Legrand, where he was marketing vice president and director of strategic planning for North America.
Rodney Fitch, chairman and CEO of Fitch, has formed Fitch:RPA after acquiring RPA (Retail Planning Associates) — a retail experience agency based in Columbus, OH. RPA CEO Todd Cameron will be president and CEO of Fitch:RPA, with clients that include BP, Sprint, and Toys “R” Us.
Leviton has appointed Joel Manjarris to the position of lighting controls sales specialist. He will focus on Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston. Manjarris formerly owned and served as president of LLM Corp, a subsidiary of ERT Lighting and Sales, Inc.
Ron Fogel & Associates (RF&A) is the new Wybron representative in New York City, expanding on its current New Jersey/New York territory. Ron Fogel & Associates' customer service and intimate industry knowledge made it the logical choice to further represent Wybron products.
Kurt Kern, longtime TMB sales representative, has relocated to Cleveland to join Vincent Lighting Systems.
Creative Technology San Francisco announced the addition of Alex Richards to the position of project manager. Richards comes to CTSF from AV Images where he was involved in numerous high profile events.
Tryka LED Ltd. appointed a new Canadian distributor, Chimera Electronics Corporation. Already well established in the electronics industry, Chimera branched out into the architectural and entertainment markets just over a year ago.
Hollands Licht, the lighting design practice of Rogier van der Heide, is now part of Arup Lighting. He can be reached at +31 (0)20 305 8500, or email: [email protected].
Rose Brand has moved its Los Angeles operation, tripling its warehousing space. The new address is: 10616 Lanark Street, Sun Valley CA 91352. Phone and fax numbers remain the same.