Jere Harris
, chairman & CEO of Production Resource Group, LLC (PRG) announces the hiring of Bruce A. McFarlane and Robert S. Kliegl. In their new roles as PRG national account executives, they will be responsible for the development and support of nationally based entertainment and themed architectural installations for clients across the U.S. Working together as a team, they bring to PRG over 35 years of experience in theatrical, film, video, and themed entertainment equipment sales (primarily in lighting and electrical systems).
"We are extremely fortunate to have these two professionals joining us," said Harris. "They understand the entertainment and architectural markets thoroughly, and have worked on every kind of large-scale project imaginable — Broadway shows, feature films, concert tours, themed attractions, and multi-location retail chains. Both new and existing PRG clients will benefit enormously from their energy, expertise and responsiveness."
With the hiring of McFarlane and Kliegl, PRG will continue to develop its sales efforts with retail chains that include existing clients such as Footlocker and Nike. PRG president Michael Tomkin has stated that "these new resources will enable us to offer nationally based production companies and architectural design firms (specializing in multi-location retail chains and themed entertainment venues) an even higher level of across-the-board service for all systems needed including lighting, audio, projection, scenery, and automation."
McFarlane previously worked for over twenty years at Times Square Lighting, helping it grow from a small theatrical shop to a high-volume theatrical and architectural manufacturer. After a brief stint at component company Aromat, he joined up with Kliegl at Altman Lighting, Inc., where he launched that company's highly successful architectural product line. McFarlane says, "I look forward to helping PRG work with the design teams that are pushing the themed architectural envelope beyond attractions and shows and further into the 'architainment' and flagship retail environments."
Kliegl, grandson of the famous theatrical lighting pioneer after whom the Klieg Light was named, moved to Altman Lighting in 1993 after the sale of his family company, Kliegl Brothers. Having grown up in the theatrical lighting business, he is well known by the production community and has participated personally in the construction and outfitting of countless entertainment venues — including theatres and concert halls.
The two have been leading the sales effort at Yonkers-based Altman. "We are sorry to see them go," said Robert Altman, president of Altman, in a statement. "Bruce and Bob are consummate professionals who also happen to have a lot of energy and a fierce determination to deliver what the client needs. We're happy to see them move on into the wider field of entertainment production generally, beyond our particular area of lighting fixtures and systems."
Kliegl cites this expanded field of endeavor particularly as a reason why he was attracted to the new position at PRG. "I have always tried to provide my clients with comprehensive solutions," he says, "lighting, sound, rigging, automation, and so on. But it has always been with lighting as a departure point. Now, with PRG's capabilities and broad product offerings, I can approach each job's unique requirements from the point of view most advantageous to the client, whether that's lighting, sound, scenery, video or really anything else."
Both McFarlane and Kliegl will work from several of PRG's offices in the Northeast but will be primarily based in the company's North Bergen shop in New Jersey, and can be reached at 201-758-4000. Their email addresses are [email protected] and [email protected] respectively.