Laurie Widmaier – President & CEO

In my spare time I like to Skype with family, visit with friends, read and sew.

My musical talent - I have played the piano for many years.

My favorite season is Spring. I like seeing all the perennial plants poking thru the garden and adding new ones to the colorful group.

The biggest change I have noticed since my start in the AV Technology industry is the integration of IT with AV and the empowerment of the end user to create their own "show". Also the current energy efficiency of products.

I have guided the implementation of many exciting projects during my leadership of The Presentation Source. Most recently, the sophistication and complexity of the Crestron Digital Media project at First American Equipment Finances created many integration and scheduling challenges. I am proud of our team's commitment to delivering a quality solution with an outstanding level of customer service.

The most important talent that I bring to my job on a daily basis is the ability to multi-task and my anticipatory problem solving skills.

My favorite TV show is NCSI. I am intrigued by the plots and, of course, the use of technology

Jim Widmaier – VP Sales & Engineering

My spare time is reserved for family and a game (or two) of golf when the weather cooperates. Exercise is currently on the "waiting list".

I dreamed of being a world-famous accordion player; Baseball and small hands got in the way! Tried to learn guitar one summer so I could play camp fire songs. Small hands again?

Fall is my favorite season. There is lots of sunshine, fresh air and colorful foliage. Not to mention the World Series and College Football.

The biggest change I have experienced has been the introduction of HD video formats and related copy-protection standards. Integration challenges have been ongoing and make for many "learning experiences".

There have been many interesting projects and events since we created The Presentation Source, 22 years ago! My trip to Extron Headquarters for Technology Design Certification and a tour of their manufacturing facility is an experience that I really appreciated.

I am proud of my ability to visualize a customer's audio-visual needs and turn them into a workable solution.

My favorite TV show is Wisconsin Badger Basketball and Football Games!

Bill Reuther – Installation Manager

My spare time is mostly taken up by my 130 year old house. I might like to be doing something else in my free time but it is satisfying.

I have been the Lead Vocalist for the band "7 Days" for 7 years now. We primarily play covers but also write and record our own originals.

I'm a big fan of summer! The sunlight and the temperatures during summer make the winters here tolerable (maybe with the exception of the 2011-2012 winter). I like to be able to get outdoors and hike the finger lake creeks and ride motorcycles.

The biggest change I have noticed since my start in the AV Technology industry is the blending of IT and AV. The evolution of content delivery over twisted pair with either CODECs or built in receivers has forced a merge of the two fields. The use of HD video standards is still pushing further the collaboration of these groups.

The most interesting project I have worked on was during the summer of 2011. We installed a complete system that encompassed all phases of AV integration, Video Conferencing, Digital Content Delivery and System Control. The ability to walk from room to room with a single touch panel allowing the user to control all equipment is a great convenience .

I have a very strong talent to troubleshoot issues. With AV integration, even the best laid plans need to be adapted.

My favorite TV show is any NFL football game in the fall.

Jared Allen – Installation Technician

In my spare time I like to build custom automotive furniture, and create custom logos and graphics on the computer.

I have "managed" sound for a few of my friends bands and for my Church, where I sing as well.

Summer is my favorite season. I get to spend time outside enjoying the weather, and coaching softball.

In just five years in the industry I am still amazed at the change in size and brightness of the projectors. It seems like such a short time, yet the technology has advanced so quickly. Some of the brightest and best projectors now are only the size of "small" conference room projectors from five years ago.

The most interesting project I have worked on was a customer of ours commissioned Presentation Source to install a video camera on a boom over his operating chair to record procedures he was doing. I enjoyed setting up the video equipment and recording devices. We were able to stream live video into there meeting room so students could watch, as well as record the procedures. I enjoyed this job because it was a good mixture of our work here, and the video production background I have from school.

I take pride in being able to design and build an AV component that will work onsite when the right product isn't available from a manufacturer.

My favorite TV show is Lost, even though it isn't on anymore.

Jimmy Sturrup – Audio Engineer/Service

In my spare time I like music production, DJ'ing and fly fishing.

I spent 10 years as a club and traveling DJ. I graduated from Trebas Institute where I majored in audio engineering and music production. Assistant engineer credits for the debut album of Ning An recorded at the world famous Jordan Hall in Boston, MA.

My favorite season is fall because the fishing is great and it's a relief from the humidity of summer.

The biggest change in AV technology that I have experienced since working in the industry is the advent of smart phones and iPads giving users the ability to access information instantly and wirelessly.

The most interesting project that I have been a part of at the Presentation Source is the installation and integration of the new 600,000 square foot Harris RF facility on Jefferson Road. This includes the conference center which is a 3 room divisible configuration with audio/video conferencing and voice lift. This project was the most complicated and technically advanced DSP program I have written. Successfully completing this project gave me the confidence and skills needed to tackle future projects.

The most important talent I bring to my job on a daily basis is my attention to detail, personality, and eagerness to learn.

My favorite television show is Wild on the Fly.

Andrew Kuter – Sales Executive

In my spare time I enjoy excersicing and spending time with friends and family.

I played piano for 10 years and still occasionally hit the keys.

Summer is my favorite season because I enjoy being in the sun, running and hiking.

Describe the "biggest" change in AV technology since you started to work in the Industry. TBA

In twenty words or less describe the most interesting project or "event" that you have been a part of at the Presentation Source. TBA

The most important TALENT that I bring to my job on a daily basis is my ability to listen and understand customer needs.

My favorite television show is Mad Men!

Greg Esce – Sales Executive/Digital Signage

In my spare time I like being at my camp on Lake Ontario and all that goes with it. I relish the time with my Kids and whatever they like to do. I enjoy very much going to plays, movies and concerts and (of course) going out to dinner.

I play trumpet and some keyboards. I spent time in bands and drum and bugle corps. Later I formed my own record label and produced the rock band Zoid. I recruited my friend Matt Forger who was the technical engineer on Michael Jacksons "Thriller". He mixed our album and added tracks in LA with Sax player Ernie Watts (Rolling Stones, Johnny Carson Show). The album was a regional success. I also spent many years as a club and mobile DJ across New York State.

All the seasons have unique beauty; however winter can get old really quick up here in Upstate New York. This year (2012) was one of the warmest I can remember in my life time. Keep them coming!

The evolution of this industry parallels the IT/Computer Industry in that; everything is getting smaller, brighter, thinner, less expensive, digital, touchable etc. To pinpoint one "big" change would be an understatement. The constant is change and we have to interpret and translate these changes to our customers everyday.

The work we have done at the Greater Rochester International Airport has been challenging yet "right up my alley". Airports are a "Mecca" for Public Displays, Video Walls and Digital Signage. They have all kinds of "eyeballs" looking at screens for different reasons. Whether it is Command and Control, way finding, advertising etc., it presents our Company a variety of interesting solutions to come up with.

My strongest talent is developing realistic relationships with customers. I am not there to just sell them something. I build a consultative relationship, no different then a lawyer, doctor or mechanic. I also rely on my many years of sales experience and love for the industry itself. I have a passion for seeing the customer's reaction when something really looks dynamic on screen. This would apply especially when it comes to Digital Signage and Video Walls.

Favorite TV Show? I really liked "24" when it was on. Now I have to say I like "Person of Interest" and "Fringe".

Important Person – Administrative Manager