This week's home automation podcast features our host Ron Callis interviewing Wim De Vos. Recorded live on Wednesday, July 8th at 12:30 p.m. EST.

About Rusty Deeble

We initially spoke with Rusty on May 6th, 2020, where he gave us a tour of their recently renovated Long Beach showroom. To catch the full video tour, visit the One Firefly Facebook page or go to our website, onefirefly.com/au.

We catch up with Rusty 2 months later to get a closer look at how recent world events have affected his business and his thoughts on the overall future of our industry.

Rusty founded Digital Installers in 2001. Since inception, he has worked hard to make his customers happy by providing friendly, professional, and clean custom audio/video installations regardless of project size.

Interview Recap

• The positive impact that the ProSource Dream Theater Makeover Contest has had on Digital Installers
• Ways Rusty gives back to his clients and community by offering their showroom as an event space
• Rusty’s recent experiences with homeowners ready to invest into their property such as outdoor spaces and home offices
• Rusty’s love of MMA and Wrestling

This week's home automation podcast features our host Ron Callis interviewing Wim De Vos. Recorded live on Wednesday, July 1st at 12:30 p.m. EST.

About Wim De Vos

We initially spoke with Wim on April 14th, 2020 and discussed the challenges his European-firm, Genesis, Home Technology Architects, and clients were experiencing due to the lockdowns.

We catch up with Wim 2.5 months later as the lockdowns have begun to lift throughout Europe. Wim shares a new perspective on his company approach and the state of the custom integration industry.

Genesis has been growing for over 10 years and offers design, training, and marketing solutions with its premium branded products to a select network of 300 certified installation partners in France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal.

Interview Recap

• Changes throughout Europe that Wim, his business, and clients have experienced since April
• Whether America’s political and economic climate will affect the European market
• Wim’s approach to digital transformation as his business re-opens and why he has decided to re-think his business as if it were a start-up
• Inspiring books Wim has been reading in light of COVID and the resurgence of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States

This week's home automation podcast features our host Ron Callis interviewing Maryellen Oswald. Recorded live on Wednesday, June 24th at 12:30 p.m. EST.

About Maryellen Oswald

With 22 years in consumer publication, Maryellen and her team at Connected Design Magazine work to build bridges and create networking opportunities between technology professionals and the design & build community.

Connected Design Magazine is a seasonal publication venture between CT Lab Global Media and IFA that offers a visual showcase of the modern-day technology industry partnering with world-class architects, builders, and designers as they pioneer a new era of sophisticated connected homes.

Interview Recap

• How Maryellen got her start in Consumer Electronics with Widescreen Magazine 
• The potential permanent move to virtual meetings, demonstrations and trade events 
• Insider look at the benefits of being featured in a publication such as Connected Design Magazine
• Maryellen’s thoughts on the current state and future of our industry

This week's home automation podcast features our host Ron Callis interviewing Kyle Steele. Recorded live on Wednesday, June 17th at 12:30 p.m. EST.

About Kyle Steele

Kyle got his start in the audio/video industry as a way to make ends meet after moving to California with his bandmates shortly after graduating from college.

He started California-based Global Wave Integration in 2004, after gaining experience working for two southern California based integration firms.

Today, Global Wave Integration has completed projects that span from the West Coast to the Middle East, has been named "Best of Houzz Service" for seven years in a row, and can be found in publications such as Architectural Digest.

Interview Recap

• How the Global Wave Integration wellness showroom has transformed due to COVID
• What the last 90 days have looked like for Global Wave Integration as a California-based business with job sites located around the US.
• Kyle’s thoughts on the industry’s role in approaching conversations around race 
• Kyle’s strategies around building strong teams using personality types as a rubric for team composition.

This week's home automation podcast features our host Ron Callis interviewing Steve Haas. Recorded live on Wednesday, June 10th at 12:30 p.m. EST.

About Steve Haas

With over 30 years of experience as an acoustic and audio designer, Steve discovered the field of acoustics while studying at Cornell University.

Steve has consulted on a variety of high-end projects ranging from concert halls to Broadway theaters and residential spaces throughout the New England area.

Over the last two decades, Steve has brought the quality audio experience into the high-end residential market where he works with homeowners, architects, interior designers, builders, and technology integrators to help keep sound quality and control top of mind.

Interview Recap

• Steve’s origin story and his transition into the high-end residential space
• Steve’s approach to educating end-users and integrators about home audio
• Changes Steve and his team are making in light of COVID, such as offering webinars revolving residential acoustics
• The importance of having conversations around race and Steve’s plans to bring in more diversity into our industry

This week's home automation podcast features our host Ron Callis interviewing Alex Camara. Recorded live on Wednesday, June 3rd at 12:30 p.m. EST.

About Alex Camara

After an exciting career in technology startups including Coinstar and Redbox, London Native, Alex joined Seattle based Audio Control in 2011 and ultimately acquired the company in 2013.

At AudioControl, Alex and his team of obsessive audio experts focus on designing, engineering, and manufacturing in the USA some of the most innovative, high-performance audio solutions for residential, commercial, and automotive markets.

Interview Recap

• Alex’s backstory in technology startups before acquiring Audio Control
• Alex's thoughts on approaching conversations within the workplace revolving race and creating a safe space for all employees
• Audio Control’s “restart” message means in light of COVD-19
• How demand for “home entertainment” has increased and what he is seeing in demand for audio control solutions throughout the country.