Strategy in TECH...
On Wednesday, the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) announced the roster of new members joining the Global Board of Directors after a “slate” vote by members recently. The trade association also announced a historic first – for the first time in its history, a woman has been selected as Chairperson of the organization.
Big news this morning out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota as AVPro Global Holdings, LLC, one of the fastest growing companies in the custom integration industry, announces it has named current Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Matt Murray as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Company founder and current CEO Jeff Murray will become the Chairman of the Board in a move that the company says was a long-planned generational leadership transition.
I have sad news to report as highly respected industry veteran Chris Byrne has died on December 5th in Napa, California. Byrne had a long, illustrious career in audio, playing a prominent role with several key brands, including at the launch of the compact disc, when he was VP of Marketing for Pioneer Electronics. However, most in the industry know him best as co-founder of NHT (Now Hear This) loudspeakers, his business home for 30+ years.
Origin Acoustics announced this week that it has added well-known integration industry executive Jeff Brewer to its management team as Executive Vice President of Sales. Brewer will report to Marc Fisher, Origin’s President of Sales.
Goldman Sachs, a leading American-based global investment bank, earlier this month recognized Hagan Kappler, CEO and Co-Founder of Daisy, as one of the Most Exceptional Entrepreneurs of 2025. This recognition was announced at the Goldman Sachs Builders + Innovators Summit 2025 held in Healdsburg, California.
Many in the industry were stunned to learn Thursday afternoon that popular custom integration editor and reviewer Robert “Bob” Archer was released from his prominent role at CEPro by owner Emerald Expositions. It was an inauspicious conclusion to a long, illustrious career at one of the top industry trade publications, where Archer’s insightful product reviews could make a real impact on the success of a product in the market.
Azione Unlimited, a leading North American buying group of upscale custom integrators, announced on Wednesday that it has formed the Azione Collective, a group of women drawn from all walks of the greater Azione ecosystem who have come together to “empower connection, mentorship, and growth.”
Just days after Amazon put on its glitzy annual devices and services showcase for the media in New York City, employees were surprised to learn that a Vice President who helps oversee the devices division is leaving the company. In an internal memo circulated to employees, and viewed by Reuters News Agency, it was announced that Rob Williams, Vice President of Device Software and Services – and part of a small elite group of executives with direct access to CEO Andy Jassy known as the S-team – stepped down from his post…and furthermore, will leave the company entirely at year-end.
Here is a really smart idea: AVPro Global, one of the industry’s fastest-growing manufacturers of a wide range of products designed specifically for the residential and commercial custom integration spaces, is creating an “Expert Advisory Board.” Why is that smart? Because a well-selected advisory board can be a great sounding board (no pun intended) on strategies and tactics, and an almost limitless source of fresh ideas and perspectives for driving above-average growth.
The first expert appointed to this board is well-known industry executive Wally Whinna, formerly of ADI/Snap One, AVAD, Tandem Marketing, and Allnet.
I wrote last week about the sudden announcement from Masimo Corporation (Nasdaq: MASI) that director Bill Jellison had resigned his position on the board, a position he had held for less than a year. What was remarkable about the Masimo announcement was not so much because of what it said – rather, even more mysterious was what it didn’t say – with no clue offered as to why or under what circumstances this resignation occurred.
Now we know more…and it is big! Former director William “Bill” Jellison is one of two new directors at Medtronic plc (NYSE: MDT), one of Masimo’s biggest competitors in the pulse oximetry segment.
