This week's home automation podcast features our host Ron Callis interviewing Jeff Goldstein. Recorded live on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020 at 12:30 p.m. EST.

About Jeff Goldstein

With decades of experience in the CI space, Jeff landed at Sony early in his career and held executive-level positions for 25 years.

In 2013, Jeff decided to leave Sony to pursue other interests before realizing his true passion was working in the CI space.

Today, Jeff manages Sony’s CI channel where he has been navigating the challenges and opportunities that this year has brought to our industry.

Interview Recap

• How Jeff’s passion for audio landed him at Sony
• What managing the radio business for Sony looked like in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s
• Jeff’s approach to building relationships with the CI channel
• Jeff’s experience since returning to Sony in the midst of a pandemic

This week's home automation podcast features our host Ron Callis interviewing Tina Baker. Recorded live on Monday, October 30th, 2020 at 12:30 p.m. EST.

About Tina Baker

With over 15 years working in Recruiting and Human Resources, Tina joined One Firefly in the beginning of 2020 with a proven track record of implementing programs that focus on company culture and improving employee satisfaction.

At One Firefly, Tina’s responsibilities encompass all areas of Human Resources such as talent acquisition, performance management, benefits enrollment, and employee engagement.

Interview Recap

• The importance of company culture
• Best practices around hiring the right people
• How the hiring process has changed at One Firefly since Tina joined the team
• Tools One Firefly has implemented to improve their company culture as a fully remote team.

This week's home automation podcast features our host Ron Callis interviewing Harshul Parikh. Recorded live on Wednesday, October 21st, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. EST.

About Harshul Parikh

Harshul founded Trescent Lifestyles in 2006 after he returned to India following a career stint in Silicon Valley. Back in India he observed the growing demand for smart technology in the home and the shortage of integration firms available while he was renovating his own home in Mumbai.

Harshul understood that India needed World Class System Integrators with the growing demand for Smart Homes and Home Theatres and he decided to be part of the solution.

Harshul is a founding member of CEDIA India and has been instrumental in bringing CEDIA into the country. Since its founding, Trescent has grown to a team size of 35 employees and completed residential projects over 100,000 sq. ft with budgets of $2.5+ million USD.

Interview Recap

• Harshul’s role in bringing a CEDIA chapter to India
• How the custom integration space has been impacted due to COVID
• Harshul’s thoughts on the potential boom that will come from the increased interest in smart home automation
• An exciting AI software Harshul and his team are working on to make projects more seamless for Integrators and the design-build community

This week's home automation podcast features our host Ron Callis interviewing Jesse Silva. Recorded live on Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 at 12:30 p.m. EST.

About Jesse Silva

Jesse founded The ProView Audio Video Experience out of Phoenix, Arizona in 2009 as a side hustle while still in college and later on while working IT for Bank of America.

Jesse went all-in on The PAVE 3 years ago and hasn’t looked back. The PAVE is known nationally and internationally for their creative use of social media to stay connected with their clients, showcase their work, and to drive business development efforts.

Interview Recap

• The impacts of COVID-19 on Jesse’s business
• The PAVE doubling their growth since 2019
• Innovative ways Jesse has expanded their reach and customer acquisition through social media
• Manufacturers that embody “exceptional support” and how it has helped Jesse and his team grow

This week's home automation podcast features our host Ron Callis interviewing Michael Cogbill. Recorded live on Wednesday, October 7th, 2020 at 12:30 p.m. EST.

About Michael Cogbill

Michael Cogbill got his start in the custom integration industry in the ‘80s after reading an Electronic House article he found while traveling for work in the Defense and Aerospace industry.

Throughout his career, Michael has been involved in several startups, maintained a private consultancy for high net-worth homeowners, and was proudly involved in CEDIA since its founding.

Today, Michael is also on the CEDIA Board of Director and a new member of NEC’s Code Panel 3.

Interview Recap

• The early days of custom integration in the 80’s and early 90’s
• His experience working on a project for Bill Gates’ Seattle home
• CEDIA initiatives Michael is most excited about
• Michael’s predictions for the future of our industry

This week's home automation podcast features our host Ron Callis interviewing Murray Kunis. Recorded live on Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 at 12:30 p.m. EST.

About Murray Kunis

Murray Kunis got his start in the music industry where he worked with top names including Prince, Van Halen, Barbara Streisand, and Michael Jackson. In 1990, Murray founded Future Home out of the demand from his clients for help with their home technology.

Murray was one of the founding integration firms of the trade organization CEDIA, he installed America’s first home THX system, and is the only Two Time Best-Of-Show winner of the International Home Technology Expo.

Interview Recap

• Murray’s thoughts on the first 2020 Presidential Debate
• Murray’s experience with installing America’s first home THX system
• His recommendations for business just getting started in the custom integration industry.
• Murray’s thoughts on the current state of our industry and what 2021 might have in store