Highlights from our November & December Automation Unplugged Interviews

In this recap post, we've captured some highlights from our interviews with Brad Whitehead, Joe Whitaker, Marie Devlin, and Michael Restrepo. Tune into our weekly show where our CEO, Ron Callis interviews custom integration industry personalities. Learn from the experts in the field with diverse backgrounds and varied roles that make our industry so special. These interviews are designed to help our clients and members of the custom integration industry keep up-to-date with the latest trends and news as well as learn from experts in the field.

Episode #58: Interview With Brad Whitehead

In this interview with our host Ron Callis, Brad Whitehead discusses his background leading and developing entrepreneurial companies for over 20 years. After growing Paragon Technology Group across four resort markets in Colorado, he served as COO of VIA International. Brad now works with leadership teams of companies with 10-200 employees to help them get what they want from their business by implementing EOS — the Entrepreneurial Operating System. Ron and Brad go on to discuss EOS in more detail and how Brad came to develop his own methodology for implementing EOS.

Here are some topics highlighted from the interview:

• There are different types of growth: revenue, business lines, geographic, capability, and profitability.
• Some common challenges companies face that impede their growth and development.
• How EOS can add order to chaos as a company grows, creating a framework to keep the team aligned and on track
• What the process for implementing EOS within a company looks like
• In the CE integration industry, many companies have adopted EOS and are enjoying success.

You can watch the full interview here: https://onefirefly.com/learn/automation-unplugged/item/watch-episode-58-an-industry-q-a-with-brad-whitehead

Episode #59: Interview With Joe Whitaker

This show features Ron interviewing Joe Whitaker of CEDIA. Joe Whitaker has 20 years of experience in Custom Systems Integration and Design Industry. As one of the most proactive members of the CEDIA Community and Control4 tech community Joe continues to design and implement amazing solutions while contributing to the consumer knowledgebase. Joe writes for top industry publications like CePro, Electronic House, and TecHome. He has also helped in product development, creation, and pre-production testing with top. In this interview with Ron, Joe discusses several upcoming trends in the industry, including the future of CEDIA education and voice SEO.

Here are some quick highlights from the interview:

• Joe’s background in the industry and how he came to work with CEDIA
• Upcoming trends in the industry that will benefit CEDIA members
• How education is a key aspect to what CEDIA does
• Voice Docent, Amazon Alexa skills, and the future of voice SEO.

Catch the full interview here: https://onefirefly.com/learn/automation-unplugged/item/watch-episode-59-an-industry-q-a-with-joe-whitaker

Episode #60: Interview With Marie Devlin

In this episode of Automation Unplugged, Ron interviews Marie Devlin, of Smart Systems. Marie Devlin has been running Smart Systems with her husband, Pat, since 2000. Prior to that they owned a tropical plant company in the Dallas area for 18 years. They sold it in 2000 and started Smart Systems. In this interview, Ron and Marie discuss Marie’s unique background, how she got into the custom CI space, as well as how the rise of DIY is affecting integrators like her. 

Here are some of the topics Ron had the opportunity to discuss with Marie:

• Marie’s background and how she got into this industry
• Latest trends in security for networks and automation systems.
• How DIY affects Integrators

Watch the full interview here: https://onefirefly.com/learn/automation-unplugged/item/watch-episode-60-an-industry-q-a-with-marie-devlin

Episode #61: Interview With Michael Restrepo

In the last Automation Unplugged interview of 2018, Ron interviews Michael Restrepo of Restrepo Innovations. They start by discussing Michael’s extensive background in the industry, and how he spent more than 19 years working in the A/V field and perfecting his craft. His passion for all things technology and audio-video lead him to found Restrepo Innovations. His company utilizes cutting edge technologies while delivering reliable systems and easy to use interfaces.

Here are some topics highlighted from the interview: 

• Michael’s background in the industry
• Cooperative Competition
• Power management
• Investing in quality equipment

Tune in to the full interview here: https://onefirefly.com/learn/automation-unplugged/item/watch-episode-61-an-industry-q-a-with-michael-restrepo

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