Electrosonic's Alan Dresner Passes Away

Alan Dresner, general manager of Electrosonic's US Work Environments Business, passed away on July 8, in Minneapolis, of lung cancer. He was 52.

Dresner brought Electrosonic a wealth of knowledge based on over 25 years in the industry. “Alan was an assertive sales manager and a well-disciplined, process-oriented leader, possessing a solid understanding of the technology and strategies employed in the industry”, said Kyle Carpenter, CEO of the Electrosonic Group.

Prior to heading up the Electrosonic division, Dresner was director of Christie's control room and immersive visualization business. From October 2002 to April 2005, Dresner was Christie’s Senior Director, Advanced Media Display Group for the US and South/Latin America. He began a 15-year career with Electrohome in late 1985 starting as a consultant to Electrohome USA, Inc.’s Projection Systems Group in Washington. He was promoted to market development manager for control rooms and other emerging display markets. While at Electrohome, he served as product manager, director of market development, and subsequently relocated to the UK as general manager and then vice president of Electroshome’s European and Asian subsidiaries in England and Singapore.

Dresner is survived by his wife, Deya’, and his son Alexander.

For more information, visit www.electrosonic.com.

Christie Announces Acquisition of Vista Controls Systems

Vista Controls Systems has been acquired by Christie. The move creates a comprehensive source for image processing and projection solutions for professional display markets – combining the power and flexibility of Vista’s video switchers and real-time windowing and composition products with Christie’s projection systems.

According to the terms of the acquisition, the Christie and Vista transition plan ensures no disruption to employees, customers or business partners, many of which are already shared by both companies. This powerful merger of complementary technologies brings a professional display solution for a diverse range of global markets, including fixed installations, rental/staging, broadcast, and advanced visualization environments.

“Christie’s acquisition of Vista Controls Systems significantly increases our opportunities for deeper market penetration and reflects Christie’s core strategic goal of establishing solid leadership in markets for professional display solutions,” remarked Jack Kline, president and COO, Christie Digital Systems USA, Inc. “Vista offers advancements in technology that no other image processing company has been able to achieve, making our two companies an ideal fit. We already share many of the same channel partners, philosophies and commitment to providing the highest quality, best-in-class solutions to our customers. We welcome Vista, its staff, and partners into the Christie family.”

“The acquisition is an ideal ‘marriage’ of complementary technologies, whose combined power and performance have no equal in the industry,” observed Clark Williams, president of Vista Controls Systems. “Joining Christie provides us with an exciting opportunity to significantly enhance our extensive network of channel partners worldwide, to create cutting-edge, advanced display solutions and an unmatched level of service.”

Williams noted that Christie and Vista have a long history of working together in many successful installations.

For more information, visit www.christiedigital.com and www.vistasystems.net.

Management Buyout Signals New Push Ahead for DiGiCo

David Webster, Helen Culleton, John Stadius, James Gordon (l-r)

DiGiCo announces their new management team comprising of Chief Executive, Bob Doyle, Managing Director, James Gordon, Marketing Director, David Webster, Technical Director, John Stadius, and Company Secretary, Helen Culleton.

Having taken over the mantle of Managing Director from Doyle in January, this was Gordon’s first significant project in the role. “We’ve always been a reactive and pro active company that understands the market place we’re in,” says Gordon. “However, when you have external investors, there is a need to explain the ins and outs of decision making processes and that can slow things down.

“The management buyout removes that requirement and means we can focus more of our time on doing what we do best, making us an even more agile and focussed company.” Gordon adds.

Bob Doyle, Chief Executive

Along with a number of plans yet to be revealed, DiGiCo will be putting a share incentive scheme in place for its employees. “It’s nice that as a modern company we’re able to reward the people that work with us and put in the extra time,” continues Gordon. “We have a lot of staff that work 24/7 for the benefit of this company and they will now be able to share in the success with us fully.”

“Lots of companies evolve as we did,” adds Doyle. “It was necessary to introduce shareholders into the mix to make the initial purchase of the company back in 2002. But now, those whose hard work over the last five years has enabled the company to reach a position to where a buyout was a reality, need to be rewarded with equity ownership so that we can take things to the next stage in company development and growth.”

“The potential of what we can achieve with the technology we have within the company, both current and future, is amazing and I thank John Stadius for that every day,” says Gordon. “The enthusiasm and drive for success that has got us this far is back to where it was when we started in 2002 and will carry us forward.”

For more information, visit www.DiGiconsoles.com.

Tascam Announces Launch of Website

Tascam completed the launch of its spirited new brand and re-engineered web site. Tascam’s new tagline, “Make It Happen”, reflects the organizational commitment to delivering technology that empowers its end users.

“There has been – and continues to be – a natural evolution in music and technology, and we believe we have fostered an environment for that growth,” said Rick McClendon, Tascam’s vice president. “Our customers have shown us what they need and want, and our new brand and web site reflect our long-held commitment to deliver the technology that works best for them.”

A highlight of Tascam.com is the ease with which visitors can locate and gather specifications on Tascam products. When browsers arrive at the desired product page, they’ll have access to an array of information – an overview, technical specs, applications, resources and various images of the product – without the need to navigate to other areas of the site. One page provides all of the information.

“This is quite an exciting time to be a part of the Tascam family,” said Tascam Marketing Manager, Margie Ulm. “It’s a thrill to help us to launch a new look and new messaging that mirrors the sophistication and customer focus in which Tascam is known. When we say ‘Make It Happen’, we’re sharing that enthusiasm with musicians, audio engineers, post-production, system integrators, retailers and our entire global constituency.”

For more information, visit www.tascam.com.

Chris Foreman Joins Community

Chris Foreman

Industry veteran Chris Foreman has joined Community Professional Loudspeakers as associate product manager and technical writer. In his new role, Chris will coordinate the product development process, writing product-related materials and performing educational seminars on new products for consultants, dealers, distributors and end users.

During his professional audio career, Chris has worked in manufacturing, contracting, tour sound and as an independent consultant and technical writer. Most recently, Chris was vice president of marketing for Electronic Contracting, a low-voltage systems integrator headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. There, he worked with a wide range of low-voltage systems from security and life safety to professional sound and video and worked with customers in the health care, education, religious, commercial/industrial and entertainment businesses.

"We're very excited to welcome Chris to the team," said Community's Director of Sales and Marketing, Julia Lee. "Chris' years of experience and extensive business and technical knowledge will truly be an asset during this pivotal time in our company's growth."

When asked about his decision to join Community, Chris remarked, "Since I first worked for Community, over 25 years ago, the company has continued to innovate in product design and manufacturing. But, as a contractor, I was also very impressed with Community's commitment to a high level of customer service. I look forward to my involvement in both of these areas."

"As Community continues to widen our market share, the introduction of innovative new products to expand our product offering will become increasingly more vital," commented Bruce Howze, Community's founder and president. "With his wide-ranging skills and impressive background, the addition of Chris to our product development team is certain to make a significant impact. We are very pleased to have Chris back at Community.”

Chris will be based out of his home office in Lincoln, Nebraska traveling for dealer training, market surveys and to work with the staff at Community's headquarters in Chester, Pennsylvania. Chris can be contacted at cforeman@communitypro.com.