NEW HIRES AT BANDIT, 4WALL, VARI-LITE, VLPS

It's hiring time at four top industry companie.

Brent Barrett has returned to Bandit Lites after a 22-year absence; his new title is business development officer. Barrett started with Bandit in 1977 and toured with Conway Twitty. He continued working with the company until 1984, when he became LD for Alabama. He becme the group's production manager, touring until 2003.

Meanwhile, 4Wall Entertainment-East, based in Moonachie, NJ, announced the addition of Al Ridella as VP of sales. Ridella, who has more than 20 years' experience in the lighting industry, most recently spent three years with High End Systems as sales manager for the Northeast region and Eastern Canada. Previously, he worked for BASH Theatrical Lighting and Fourth Phase.

Ridella will be responsible for 4Wall's sales-and-installation accounts for the Eastern US and Canada. He will be also be involved with used equipment sales via the 4Wall-owned website, www.UsedLighting.com.

Charlie Hulme joins Vari-Lite as regional sales manager for the Western US. Hulme spent seven years in the automated lighting industry with another manufacturer. During that time, he served as regional account manager for the Midwestern US, special projects manager, and also as sales manager for architectural projects. Most recently, he was sales engineer for the system integration group at Audio Visual Innovations.

Last, but certainly not least, VLPS announces the return of Lee Magadini, a 25-year veteran of the lighting indusry. She will be handling account executive duties from the company's New York office

Magadini began her career on the West Coast. She moved to New York in 1985. In the mid-90s, she spent five years as general manager of VLPS' New York office. Her primary duties will be focused on securing business in the Broadway and US theatrical rental market.