NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – Employees from around the country convened at Bandit Lites Nashville location for the company’s annual general meeting, a time to reflect on the previous year’s triumphs and plan for the next year’s goals and promote Expect Excellence.
A special celebration was held for Eric ‘Rock’ Shafferman, who has surpassed forty excellent years with Bandit Lites. Shafferman’s storied tenure at Bandit includes touring with Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Rogers and Alabama as well as working the Super Bowl, Bonnaroo, Farm Aid and President George W. Bush’s inauguration. More information about Shafferman’s illustrious career will follow in another release.
“I first met Rock in 1979 when he joined the Bandit family as a driver on Kenny Rogers,” said Bandit chair Michael T. Strickland, a longtime friend of Rock. “He quickly climbed the ladder and became one of the top lighting technicians in the industry. Everyone that knows Rock simply loves him. I have never heard Rock speak ill of anyone, and he has a work ethic and ability second to none. Rock does the work of six people on a daily basis and has spent his entire adult life at Bandit and that is an honor for the company. Rock has been the Bandit crew chief on Jimmy Buffet for the last 30 years, and Buffett cannot imagine touring without Rock. You will never find a better person, technician or friend than Eric Shafferman! The annual award at Bandit for the years’ top employee is aptly named, The Rock Award, in his honor. Thank you for all the miles Rock; I love you sir!”
Craig Richter (Lighting Designer), Sarah Eucker (Shop Supervisor), Carter Fulghum (Lighting Designer), Nikki Dotson (Lighting Technician) and Andrew Fisher (Senior Systems Integrator) were all honored for five years with Bandit Lites while Steve Powell celebrated twenty years in a career that’s included Project Manager as well as serving as the General Manager of multiple Bandit locations.
“Steve joined Bandit in 1999 and has been an invaluable part of the team ever since,” shared Strickland. “Starting in project management in Knoxville, he then moved to Nashville and became General Manager of that facility. After several years in that position, Steve took over the new endeavor, Gear Park. As 2020 begins Steve is now part of the rapidly growing Bandit Nashville Sales and Integration team serving as the team leader for projects in that market and running through that office. The Bandit Nashville Sales and Integration office is going to double in size in 2020 and Steve’s leadership will be critical. Thank you, Steve, for twenty great years, and I look for twenty more!”
Strickland also shared Bandit’s expansive new plans for 2020 including a robust sales initiative across the country and remodeling the Nashville shop to include an addition of over 80,000 square feet of space.
“Bandit is in an explosive but controlled growth phase,” he said. “The quality of our people, our standards and our services are unmatched and the demand that has created reflects the fact we deliver Excellence. The mantra for Bandit is to allow all of our clients to ‘Experience Excellence.’ We are dedicated to that value proposition and will always work tirelessly to deliver excellence on all fronts. Bandit has made multiple new hires to start 2020, with many more slated for the first quarter. A new facility in Charlotte is in the planning phases to keep up with the growth in that market. We want to say thank you to all or our valued clients, designers, manufactures and friends in the industry. Without you we would not exist. Thank you for the trust and belief in Bandit. We promise to always deliver excellence!”
2020 promises to be the biggest year in the 51-year-old firm’s history, coming off 2019, which was the best year ever. Bandit continues to go from strength to strength because of the excellent people, standards and services. The excitement, dedication, knowledge and depth of the Bandit team is world class and we promise you only world class service and results!
About Bandit Lites, Inc.
Bandit Lites is a global leader in the entertainment lighting marketplace. From touring productions to fixed installations, Bandit Lites has a full staff of highly trained professionals to deal with all types of lighting needs. Bandit’s global presence will ensure seamless transitions no matter where your next show takes you. More information available at www.BanditLites.com