Leaving his post as vice-president of PRG Integrated Solutions Group, Bill Groener has joined the Boston-based LED pioneer, Color Kinetics Incorporated as vice-president of Sales for North America, effective June 1, 2004. Formerly with Strand Lighting, Barbizon, and Elliptipar, Groener has been an active player in the lighting industry for three decades. He is also active with various industry associations, including IESNA, USITT, and ESTA, where he currently serves as chair of the technical standards committee. He is also a recipient of ESTA’s Eva Swan Award for outstanding service to the organization.
Anne Johnston, who has been with PRG for many years, will fill Groener’s shoes, moving into a new position as vice-president for PRG Integrated Solutions for the East Coast. For the West Coast, that position will be filled by Joe Schenk in PRG’s Las Vegas office. PRG's Integrated Solutions Group develops permanently-installed entertainment technology solutions for a wide range of venues, including theatres, museums, retail stores, performing arts centers, houses of worship, casinos, and many other types of facilities.
Schenk will lead the Group's West Coast operations while Johnston leads the East. "Assumption of Bill's responsibilities by Joe and Anne will be a natural transition for us," proclaimed Michael Tomkin, President of PRG. "Each is intimately familiar with the operations of the Group. Each also has unique expertise that will help the Group's clients capitalize on important new trends in the evolution of entertainment technology."
As President of PRG's Nevada operations, Joe Schenk has overseen some of the Integrated Solutions Group's most important projects in Las Vegas, including the Masquerade in the Sky at the Rio, Star Trek at the Hilton, EFX at the MGM Grand, the Conservatory at the Bellagio, the Fremont Street Experience, the Cirque du Soleil shows O and Mysteré, new entertainment elements at the Fashion Show Mall, and attractions currently under development at the Wynn Las Vegas resort. Joe has over 26 years of experience directing the installation and operation of showrooms and special attractions.
As PRG's Vice President of Image Systems, Anne Johnston helps direct the deployment of several specialized PRG technologies, including large format projection systems, LED lighting systems, and Mbox, a revolutionary new image server technology available exclusively through PRG. Together, Joe and Anne will help the Integrated Solutions Group's clients take advantage of the full range of services and expertise offered by PRG.
With his departure, Bill Groener received the personal thanks of Jere Harris, PRG's Chairman and CEO, for his many years of service to the company. "During his six years of employment by PRG, Bill made a tremendous contribution to the company in a variety of leadership roles," Jere stated. "We wish him the very best of success with his new opportunity and look forward to continuing to work with him as an important PRG supplier."