This week's home automation podcast features our host Ron Callis interviewing Tom LeBlanc. Recorded live on Friday, July 15th, 2022, at 9:00 am. EST.

About Tom LeBlanc

Tom has supported the integration market since 2003. He was the editorial director of Commercial Integrator from 2010 to 2019 and held various roles at CE Pro before that. Throughout his career, he specialized in developing content to help integration firms improve their businesses. At NSCA, LeBlanc is focused on executing the visions of the NSCA Board of Directors and NSCA community by providing resources and spearheading events to strengthen members' business and networking opportunities.

Interview Recap

• The Business Leadership Conference and the upcoming Pivot to Profit  conference in the fall.
• Tom’s journey from working in journalism to landing in the AV industry
• NSCA’s strategy to help its members during the COVID pandemic and the current supply chain issue that is being faced by the industry

This week's home automation podcast features our host Ron Callis interviewing Ian Bryant. Recorded live on Wednesday, July 6th, 2022, at 12:30 pm. EST.

About Ian Bryant

Ian started in the AV/Integration industry in the live sound and stage sector in 1998. He migrated into residential integration in 2001 and then into commercial, government and higher education integration in 2010 with his company ZenArray specializing in consulting, system design, control system programming and DSP configurations.

Ian has volunteered throughout his career as a subject matter expert. He has sat on numerous panels and working groups, mostly with CEDIA, where he was awarded volunteer of the year in 2011 and 2016. He recently worked for CEDIA managing technology applications, workforce development and strategic partnerships. Ian is currently a consultant and independent contractor specializing in thought leadership, go-to-market strategies, events and publications.

His qualifications include CEDIA CIT, Crestron CMCP-S, Harman Certified Programmer, Extron Control Professional, BIAMP & Dante Certified, and is a Certified Living In Place Professional.

Interview Recap

• Ian’s experiences working remotely from different locations around the country.
• His background and expertise in the industry
• New technology trends and emerging business model opportunities

This week's home automation podcast features our host Ron Callis interviewing Mike Abernathy. Recorded live on Wednesday, April 27th 2022, at 12:30PM EST

About Mike Abernathy

Mike has been part of the systems integration industry since 2001, when he started his career with NSCA as a Member Relations Manager. During his time in that position, Mike developed a broad understanding of the AV industry and how consultants, integrators, manufacturers, and independent manufacturer representatives interact and work together within the industry. He later joined a commercial audio manufacturer, where he managed international sales for ten years. In 2017 Mike rejoined NSCA and is now the Director of Business Resources. In this role, Mike helps members find and use business resources to more effectively operate systems integration firms. 

Interview Recap

• The many resources being provided by NSCA to its members
• The future of system integration and the emergence of the Super Integrator
• Creative solutions to the Av industries labor shortage

This week's home automation podcast features our host Ron Callis interviewing Lani Godfrey. Recorded live on Wednesday, February 7th, 2018 at 12:30 p.m. EST.  

About Lani Godfrey

Lani Godfrey began his career in 1995 at Circuit City as a Retail Sales Associate and has since worked in custom sales and installation, purchasing and inventory, operations and process management in distribution.

For the past couple of years, Lani has happily been with the ProSource buying group covering the Southeast region. Lani is a proud University of South Carolina Graduate and enjoys fishing and golfing in his downtime.

Interview Recap

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

• Lani’s background in the industry
• The value of buying groups
• What ProSource is planning for the future
• Best practices for people development

This week's home automation podcast features our host Ron Callis interviewing Richard Glikes. Recorded live on Thursday, August 16th, 2017 at 12:30 p.m. EST. 

About Richard Glikes

Richard Glikes is the President and Founder of Azione Unlimited, a consortium of like-minded dealers, customer retailers, integrators, and vendors. Richard has more than 40 years of experience in the custom integration business, with roles at Wall to Wall Sound, Hi Fi House, Bryn Mawr Stereo, Tops Appliance City, and HTSA..

Interview Recap

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

• Richard's reasoning for starting Azione Unlimited
• What Azione Unlimited has to offer integrators
• The biggest mistakes Richard sees integrators making
• What at CEDIA has Richard excited
• What to expect at the Azione Fall conference

This week's home automation podcast features our host Ron Callis interviewing Paul Starkey. Recorded live on Wednesday, April 5th, 2017 at 12:30 p.m. EST. 

About Paul Starkey

Paul Starkey has been in the custom installation business for 24 years, and in that time, Paul has raised venture capital twice, acquired two companies, started two others and has in-depth knowledge of the CI business.

These acquisitions and mergers exceeded $280M in value. He has business operations, sales and marketing experience.  His keen insights, innovation, and creativity have been recognized by many in our industry. 

Interview Recap

The live interview covers a series of topics surrounding the AV and automation industry, such as: 

• Bi4Ci: what is it and why do CI dealers need it?
• Characteristics of successful business owners in this channel
• The three ratios integrators should definitely be watching
• Which manufacturers are starting to stand out and having staying power in this space