Italy - Martin Professional A/S has announces that, as of late April of this year, Pio Nahum, managing director of Martin's Italian subsidiary, will be seeking new challenges outside of the Martin Professional organization. Nahum joined Martin in 1996 and, since that time, has held a variety of key positions at the company's Danish headquarters and subsidiary offices.

As a long-time lighting veteran, Nahum is a well-known personality in the industry and he was an important player in Martin's rise to the top of the intelligent lighting market. Pio's contribution to the success of the Martin Professional organization is greatly appreciated, say Martin Pro, and the company wishes him success in his new endeavor.

(Lee Baldock)

UK - After three years working in California for Total Structures Inc, Peter Hind has returned to the UK to join consulting structural and civil engineers, Anthony Ward Partnership Ltd working from their offices near Winchester in Hampshire. However, his return to consulting engineering will not mean the end of his involvement with the design and use of aluminium structures in the entertainment and associated industries which stretches back over 20 years.

Anthony Ward Partnership Ltd has a reputation for providing innovative design solutions for projects within the building construction industry and now offers a range of structural engineering services relevant to the entertainment industry including concept design, preparation of engineering calculations and drawings, inspections and third party reviews. Hind will also continue his work with ESTA Technical Standards in America

USA - Richmond Sound Design Ltd (RSD) of Vancouver, Canada, and London, England, has appointed Merv Buchanan to the newly created position of market development manager for North America. Buchanan brings a wealth of experience to RSD, having worked as a music producer, systems designer, college instructor and marketing executive with organizations as diverse as Videomax, Trend Records, Toa Electronics, Fanshawe College and MuchMusic. A native of Cape Breton, Buchanan began in the entertainment business in 1963, while attending DeVry Technical Institute, an electronics college in Toronto.

During the sixties, Buchanan operated his own record label and recording studio in Toronto. Trend Records was Canada's first independent, fully integrated record company. In 1969 he produced the landmark 'Sussex' by Bent Wind, the most collectable album ever produced in Canada. In the 70s he ra

USA - A. C. Lighting Inc has appointed Fred Mikeska as its US sales and marketing manager, with immediate effect. In his new role, Mikeska will be responsible for the company's sales and marketing activities in the US, including all product lines sold exclusively in the USA by A.C. Lighting Inc, such as the Chroma-Q Color Block multi-purpose LED system and the Jands Vista lighting console - as well as general distribution products.

Mikeska will be actively involved in establishing A.C. Lighting's direct presence and dealer network in the USA. He will be supported by an experienced sales team at A C. Lighting Inc.'s North American headquarters in Toronto and their distribution facility in Buffalo. Mikeska has formerly held senior management positions with Creative Stage Lighting and Leprecon, and is currently a director of the Entertainment Services and Technology Association (E

USA - Industry veteran Jack Schmidt is retiring from Strong Entertainment Lighting, but he's not leaving the lighting industry. He is now principal in a company called Special Lighting Solutions, which offers services specifically aimed at the people who own, use, specify, and service followspots - particularly Strong Entertainment Lighting products. Schmidt will offer architects and consultants the benefit of 30+ years in the industry (the past 20 as Strong Entertainment Lighting's followspot product sales manager), in training technicians on the maintenance of Strong spotlights, as well as hands-on technical support and advice.

For facility planning and management, Special Lighting Solutions offers:
5A plan review specifically aimed at ensuring that the followspot positions in your facility are located and outfitted to offer the most flexibility and utility;
--Assista

UK - Seasoned pro audio technical salesman, Tim Shaxson, joins DiGiCo's sales department as technical sales to work alongside sales director James Gordon. Shaxson joins DiGiCo from HHB Communications where he spent 12 years as Senior Pro-Audio technical salesman and was consistently one of its highest achieving team members. His appointment comes during a period of exceptional growth in the digital mixing console market and the expansion of its sales department is a reflection of DiGiCo's continued confidence and increased demand.

"We had been looking for a suitable addition to our sales department for sometime and Tim's experience in the industry and relaxed customer style make him the perfect fit for DiGiCo," comments Gordon. "Tim is going to be focusing his activities on promoting Soundtracs and DiGiCo consoles both nationally and internationally in conjunction

UK - Leicester-based effects lighting company EVL Lighting has announced the appointment of Scott Callis as accounts manager. Callis, formerly with Robe UK and previously the now defunct Mad Lighting Ltd, brings a wealth of industry knowledge and experience. His new role will see him liaising with the already extensive dealer network and bringing onboard new area accounts. Callis said: "I'm looking forward to working with EVL and giving total support to their dealer network."

(Lee Baldock)

UK - The Lighting Technology Projects sales team has expanded with the addition of Tilly Howarth, who joins the existing team in the company's new Birmingham office. Howarth's sales skills and experience comes from the new build and construction industries, and she was hand-picked for the LTP job because she has no specific background in lighting, and therefore "No baggage" says LTP's Terry Reeves. "I specifically wanted new blood and a fresh perspective," he explains.

Howarth will be part office-based and part road-based, and will develop LTP's direct sales operation initially around the Midlands, concentrating on the short lead-time projects in the retail, leisure, entertainment and public arts sectors. The expansion of the sales team is part of LTP's new long-term business strategy that kicked off with the move to Birmingham last autumn, say the company.

UK - Rob Merrilees has joined Essential Lighting Group as project manager, specializing in exhibition lighting and power. Merrilees brings 20 years of worldwide experience in the exhibition and event industry. Since joining the company in early January, Merrilees has completed projects in London, Dubai, Turin, Berlin and Dusseldorf.

(Lee Baldock)

Australia - Melbourne-based Lightmoves Pty Ltd has appointed Lauren Carter as marketing coordinator. Her main responsibility involves exposing the company's "best kept secret" - the diversity of its activities as well as the knowledge and skill they posses. Lightmoves says it has kept this secret for 15 years and now believes it is time to uncover it!

After achieving outstanding results in her university degree, Bachelor of Multimedia and Business Marketing, Carter says she is looking forward to the challenge.

(Lee Baldock)

Italy - FBT Elettronica SpA has announced the appointment of Mr. Roberto Mataloni to be in charge of international sales for East Europe, Africa, Middle East, Far East and Oceania. He will work alongside with Mr. Mauro Zazzini.

Mataloni is pleased to be back to FBT after the six years he spent at Proel, he comments: "For me this is like returning home, having previously worked ten years with FBT before joining Proel. A lot has changed during this time and this opportunity finds me very motivated: over these years FBT has built a stronger reputation of a professional sound reinforcement manufacturer, developing and manufacturing high quality products to meet the most demanding applications. FBT has grown a lot in these last years, both in sales and in "made in Italy" technology: today, the company can present one of the most advanced R&D department. Products like t

USA - In a move that is bound to set the lighting industry talking, Strand Lighting announced today that Sonny Sonnenfeld would be rejoining Strand after a 20-year absence, as commercial consultant and New York representative, serving the consultant, Broadway, and dealer community. Sonnenfeld joined Century Lighting (now Strand) in 1945, after serving throughout World War II in the South Pacific. In 1961 he co-founded Lighting & Electronics, rejoining what had then become Strand Century between 1975-85.

Strand president Tim Burnham comments: "Sonny is coming home to Strand after a brief 20 years away from the family - it's a very cool thing! Sonny has forgotten more about this business than most of us will ever know, and his rejoining us speaks volumes for the direction Strand Lighting is taking. We're working very hard every day to satisfy our growing customer base, and n

UK - It's been a case of in with the new at Scottish lighting specialist black light, with two new faces on the team. Hire manager Alan Jackson has decided to return to his native England, so managing director Gavin Stewart has taken the opportunity to reorganize the company's hire department.

Richard Hogg was already doing a fine job running the day-to-day business of the department and Seonaid "Shonny" Aitkenhead has now joined him, having worked with black light as a freelancer at the end of 2004.

This has allowed Jackson's successor to fulfil an expanded role. Phil Haldane has now joined the black light team as events manager to actively develop the company's specialist events work.

"We are seeing our events business develop with an increasing amount of themed weddings, presentations and corporate projects running alongside events like the Edinburgh Fringe

UK - John Houldcroft has had a distinguished career in the Public Address industry, having worked as chief engineer for Eagle International, and with engineering positions with Millbank Electronics and Federal Signal. A specialist in amplifier and PA loudspeaker design, John has expertise in the field of voice evacuation and it is this regard that he and ADSworldwide have come together.

John will be heading up the engineering team and will be responsible for R & D engineering quality control as well as customer services in terms of maintenance. ADSworldwide has enjoyed ISO9001 and Investor in People status for the last 12 years continuously, but according to company chairman David Hopkins OBE, a company is only as good as the level of service that it offers. John Houldcroft will strengthen the team considerably, bringing in-house a level of expertise that few companies in the in

USA - Loud Technologies announced today the appointment of Colin Evan Quek to the position of South East Asia sales director. Quek brings to Loud an extensive background in the MI and professional audio industries.

Schooled at the SAE Institute of Technology, Quek has managed operations, sales, and marketing, for Roadie Communications, NVM multimedia, Casio MI, Celviano Music, and Trektech, representing brands such as Behringer, Sonex, Blue Mics, Chauvet and Layered Sound Technology.

As Loud's new South East Asia sales director, Quek will be the primary contact for all Loud Technologies-related sales business in Singapore. This includes expanding the South East Asia distribution network, as well as managing all regional marketing efforts, and facilitating greater communication with Loud Technologies' worldwide headquarters, in Woodinville, Wash., USA.

"Colin will be an

USA - Color Kinetics has informed PLASA Media that Bill Groener has resigned from his post with the company, with effect from 1 April. The resignation is based solely on personal reasons, say the company. Groener has commented: "The last year has been full of challenges and accomplishments and I am truly grateful to Bill Sims and George Mueller for the opportunity that they gave me. Color Kinetics is (and will continue to be) a tremendous operation and I have great respect for the work that we have done and for the people who 'make it happen' day in and day out. I have absolutely no doubts that the initiatives that we started will result in profitable growth and that Color Kinetics will remain the market leader when it comes to Intelligent Solid-State Lighting."

The statement from Color Kinetics said: "We at Color Kinetics thank Bill for his tremendous contributi

USA - QSC Audio Products has announced that Mark Engebretson has joined its ranks as vice-president of R&D, chief systems architect. Now responsible for the upper-level technical management of QSC's three core product groups - power amplifiers, loudspeakers, and digital systems - Engebretson comes to QSC from JBL Professional, where he led the Northridge,California-based company's R&D department. In his new capacity at QSC, he will play a critical leadership role in the further development of proprietary technologies, enhancing overall R&D capabilities, and shaping new system solutions.

"Given all the buzz associated with my move, you'd think I was a Russian spy that just defected or something," Engebretson joked during the NSCA Systems Integration Expo just past, where QSC first broke news of the appointment. "I want to extend all the best to my friends and coll

USA - Veteran FOH engineer Steve Cochran has joined Meyer Sound in the role of touring and sales support. Cochran will join tour liaison Buford Jones in staffing the company's Nashville office, located in the famed Soundcheck rehearsal complex. Cochran's duties will focus on applications, such as assisting artists and engineers working with Meyer equipment in the Soundcheck facility, and participating in educational seminars and training in the Nashville area.

Before joining Meyer Sound, Cochran most recently spent a year mixing FOH for country star LeAnn Rimes, but his history also includes 12 years of FOH work with Ricky Van Shelton, monitor and FOH duties with Julio Iglesias, and a 15-year association with Wolf Sound of Miami, who first introduced him to Meyer Sound products. Recently, Cochran also has been mixing showcases for Hot Apple Pie, one of Nashville's hottest break

Germany - German manufacturer Kling & Freitag has announced that Michael Kinzel is the new managing director of the company. The changes are the result of the company's continued growth, with a larger company requiring a reappraisal of the management structure. In making their choice, Martin Kling and Jürgen Freitag decided to take somebody who knew the company well. Kinzel has worked with K&F for more than five years and supported Martin and Jürgen in the development of the reputation of the brand. Beside his new position, Kinzel will continue to be responsible for international sales.

Martin Kling remains in charge of the R&D department as the technical director, while Jürgen Freitag is taking care of the German key customers and is also responsible for special projects and customer support; among other projects he has recently finished a project which incolved the delive

USA - Following the return of Bill Groener to the Production Resource Group (PRG), after a spell at Color Kinetics, PRG has announced that Groener will take on the role of vice-president and general manager of its Systems Integration Group. Groener, a long-time industry veteran, was formerly general manager of PRG's northeast US lighting operations. The company says that Groener left them in early 2004 to help Color Kinetics, an important PRG supplier, launch a series of new initiatives designed to increase and expand its sales and distribution of LED lighting products in North America.

Jere Harris, PRG's chairman and CEO, said: "It's great to have Bill back. New technologies are having a big impact on permanently installed lighting systems, and Bill has acquired a tremendous depth of experience with them."

Groener's return to PRG will allow Anne Johnston, who led

Canada - Lighttex Canada Inc, the manufacturer of Lighttex Soft Egg Crates, has announced the appointment of Robert Paine as director of sales. Paine brings more than a dozen years of experience managing plant operations, quality systems and product and marketing development with a concentration in textiles. In his role as director of sales, he will build a North American sales network to support the commercial launch of Lighttex Soft Egg Crates, an architectural product that delivers aesthetics, space definition, light control and daylighting benefits, say the company.

"My focus and passion is customer satisfaction through quality product and service," says Paine. "Lighttex is both a powerful and elegant product that is poised to add the next dimension of architecture and daylighting. Our goal is to bring world-class service and solutions to help architects, des

UK - Professional audio distributor, Autograph Sales, has appointed Mike Mann to its board of directors. He will be responsible for sales and business development, in addition to handling the increasing number of design and installation projects now being tackled by the company.

Mann has been with Autograph Sales for over two years, holding the post of technical manager, providing pre and post sales support to customers. Previously, he has worked for Meyer Sound, Cadac Electronics, Soundcraft and Drake, while his first job in the industry was in the Royal Opera House sound department.

"I became addicted to live performance as a very junior sound engineer in Covent Garden - and it's that kind of lasting passion that drives the Autograph team. This is an exciting time for pro audio and Autograph Sales," he says.

(Jim Evans)

USA - Entertainment and architectural lighting manufacturer ETC (Electronic Theatre Controls Inc) has named Mark Veldey as vice-president of Finance. Veldey, as an outside investment banker, advised ETC on its successful acquisition of Transtechnik Lichtsysteme, Holzkirchen, Germany, in 2002. After joining ETC as general counsel, he directed ETC's acquisitions of Avab France, Paris; and IES and Penko Engineering, Veenendaal, the Netherlands. ETC's CEO Fred Foster says: "In his many roles with ETC, Mark has become completely familiar with our business and culture. His broad set of skills has proven to be very valuable to us. As part of the ETC executive team, he will add a great new dimension to our strategic financial planning."

Veldey's previous work experience includes practicing law with the Milwaukee firm Cook & Franke, treasury and corporate finance responsibilit

UK - Christopher Darnley has been appointed as sales manager - export at the UK branch of JVC Professional Europe. Darnley brings 8 years experience working in the broadcast and audio visual industry. He joins the established export sales team headed by general manager Tim Rawlings, and will be instrumental in further developing business in the Middle East and Africa regions.

Darnley comments, "I am delighted to be working for JVC. They are strong players in the industry, with an excellent reputation, and I have a great respect for their products, service and expertise."

"To meet the increasing demand for systems solutions in this market, we are delighted to have Chris on board. He has a wealth of experience in the critical aspects of sales, and his practical experience in lighting, sound recording and post production will be invaluable to developing prospec

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