A.C.T Hires Dowd and Sonnleitner

A.C.T. Lighting, importer and distributor of lighting products in North America, has announced two new and significant additions to the team. Industry veterans Brian Dowd and Paul Sonnleitner join the team and will comprise A.C.T’s enhanced east coast presence.

“We’re thrilled to have these great professionals join our team,” comments A.C.T Lighting’s president and CEO, Bob Gordon. Both Brian and Paul are very well-known and highly-respected and will further enhance A.C.T’s reputation in the industry. I just could not be happier about this. When you add Brian and Paul to our existing team members, you find a motivated and talented team. I would not trade them for anyone else, anywhere.”

Dowd will handle customer relations and product development for the east coast, working with A.C.T’s customers and supporting the company’s complete line, which includes products from MA Lighting, Zero88, Brother & Sons, and MDG, to name a few.

Prior to joining A.C.T, Dowd was manager of sales and business cevelopment for TMB’s New York office, which he helped launch. Prior to that, he was Eastern regional sales manager rental/production for Martin Professional in Sunrise, FL, Mid-Atlantic sales manager for Color Kinetics in Boston, and general manager/East Coast sales manager for TMB. Dowd has also held posts at Main Light Industries in Wilmington DE, DuPont Company in Wilmington, and McManus Enterprises in Philadelphia.

“What drew me to this opportunity is A.C.T's focus, support, and commitment to its customers and product line. I believe that the skills and historical experience I have will only enhance what A.C.T already excels in,” comments Dowd. "While making a living in this industry for almost 30 years, I have been involved in rental, production, design, manufacturing, product R&D, distribution, sales, operations, and management. I have seen just about every side of things and am particularly excited about becoming a member of the A.C.T team.”

Sonnleitner is a leading console developer who will work part-time for A.C.T Lighting providing sales and technical support and console development for the grandMA range of products. Additionally, Sonnleitner will be spending time training users in the New York market and evangelizing the benefits of integrated products. Sonnleitner will also continue his career as a freelance automated lighting programmer.

Sonnleitner’s vast programming experience comprises Broadway shows including Hot Feet (2006), HairSpray (2002), Titanic (1997), The Scarlet Pimpernel (1997); TV shows and events including Showtime at the Apollo and Live and Lincoln Center; and industrials and trade shows around the globe. He had held titles of director of special projects for High End Systems, console development consultant for Flying Pig Systems, and ObsessionII UI designer for Electronic Theatre Controls.

"This is an exciting time for MA and A.C.T Lighting. I believe they've introduced the right products to the marketplace at the right time. As a professional programmer, I am ecstatic about the creativity these products will unleash in the hands of industry professionals,” comments Sonnleitner. “I intend to be a direct conduit from the end-user to the MA Lighting software team, ensuring the voices of industry professionals are heard and that the best possible product can exist in the marketplace.”