Diverse group of new directors represent broad range of skills, regions, and business sectors
FISHERS, Ind. (JANUARY 11, 2024) – CEDIA, the association for smart home professionals™, today announced the approval of the 2024 Board of Directors and new Executive Committee. At its January meeting, the Board appointed James Chen and Stuart Tickle as Directors. Chen and Tickle join previously announced newly elected members, Mike Chorney and Edward Gilmore, and re-elected member, Amanda Wildman, into the latest cohort of CEDIA’s Board.
The Board also elected its Officers, who will serve as CEDIA’s Executive Committee. Alex Capecelatro was elected Chairperson, Amanda Wildman as Vice Chairperson, Jennifer Mallett as Treasurer, Jamie Briesemeister as Secretary, and David Weinstein as Immediate Past Chairperson.
“I am honored to serve as Chairperson of CEDIA at this exciting time in its history,” said Capecelatro. “I get to work with an amazing group of talented and dedicated Directors who give their time to make our industry better. As a member of the CEO Search Committee that selected our executive, I am looking forward to continuing to partner with Daryl Friedman to further CEDIA’s upward trajectory.”
Wildman noted, “I thank the Board for their confidence in me as I assume the Vice Chairperson’s role, something I only dreamed of when I first joined CEDIA in 2013. I look forward to working alongside Alex to continue CEDIA’s evolution and to lead the important work of the Governance Committee.”
“As CEDIA’s CEO, I consider myself extremely fortunate to have the guidance and support of this strategically minded group of professionals,” added CEDIA Global President and CEO Daryl Friedman. “I want to sincerely thank David Weinstein for his leadership during my first two years in the role. I’m delighted he will continue to provide his wisdom as Immediate Past Chairperson.”
The full CEDIA Board of Directors can be found at cedia.org/about-us/board-of-directors.
James Chen is a US-Australian entrepreneur, author, and speaker with over 30 years’ experience in the AV industry. James has dedicated his career to creating a connected world that works. At Kordz, a multi-award-winning cable manufacturer, he is managing director and lead product designer of Kordz’ professional-grade connectivity solutions designed for systems technicians. Working closely with the industry and technology leaders, the range is engineered to be robust, fast, and effective and help integrators push the boundaries of the audio-visual experience. James has served on CEDIA’s Technology Council, Governance Committee, and Certification Commission, which creates industry accredited certification to ANSI and ISO/IEC 17024 standards for Professional Systems Technicians. He is now part of the RP23 video standards working group, and in 2023, was awarded the honor of CEDIA Fellow.
Stuart Tickle is the owner and Managing Director of AWE, a leading smart home technology distribution and training company in the UK that represents some of the industry’s best known AV brands and specialist custom installation products. Stuart joined AWE in 1990 when the family business was a small Hi-Fi retailer and electronics manufacturer based in South London, England. He steered the expansion of the business into specialized distribution for the custom installation market and took over as Managing Director in 2001 as the fourth generation at the helm of the family business. Stuart served as a Director of the Industry Association CEDIA UK from 2003 to 2009 holding posts including treasurer and CEDIA Expo Chair.
Alex Capecelatro is the founder and CEO of Josh.ai, a voice-controlled home automation system with a focus on artificial intelligence. Josh.ai utilizes a proprietary natural language understanding (NLU) engine with state-of-the-art home control integrations for a powerful smart home experience. Capecelatro's focus is at the intersection of elegant design, cutting-edge software, and purposeful hardware to offer transformational experiences. Capecelatro received his engineering degree from UCLA, and currently splits his time between LA and Denver.
Amanda Wildman is a dedicated innovator and co-owner of TruMedia, a renowned family-owned business that has been at the forefront of pioneering home automation and entertainment solutions for families across Michigan for over two decades. Beyond her entrepreneurial ventures, Amanda is an active contributor to the smart home technology industry. Her impressive volunteer positions within CEDIA, including Chair of the Professional Development Advisory Council (PDAC), CEDIA’s Certification Commission, CEDIA’s Business Working Group, and participation in Workforce Development, underscore her dedication to advancing the industry's skills and education. Amanda's journey in smart home technology is supported by a solid educational foundation, holding a Bachelor of Arts degree from Calvin University, CEDIA ESC, CIT-SME, and IST-SME certifications, and an electrical apprenticeship. With a keen focus on innovation, dedication to her craft, and commitment to serving her community, Amanda Wildman continues to shape the landscape of modern smart home technology solutions.
Jamie Briesemeister is chief executive officer and co-founder of Integration Controls in St. Louis. An avid speaker at conferences and seminars, Briesemeister often participates in panel discussions, presenting informative sessions, or offering Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to architects and designers. She serves as an advocate for technology considerations and collaboration in the design/build process and has written for Connected Design and Residential Tech Today. Briesemeister is a CEDIA Outreach Instructor (COI), avid volunteer, member of the Industry Relations Advisory Council, and previous chair of the Governance Committee.
Jennifer Mallett has been in the home technology industry for 22 years with 15 years’ experience on the manufacturer side and 7 years’ experience as the owner of her own integration company, Level Up Automation. She founded Level Up Automation in 2016 with a vision to bring outstanding home automation experiences using hands-on showroom demonstration experiences alongside design and education excellence. Today, Level Up Automation creates smart homes and intelligent buildings in Massachusetts, Arizona, Florida, Ohio, and Maryland. Prior to establishing Level Up Automation, Jennifer served as the North American Director for the Home Technology Sales & Services division at global leading audio company, Bose Corporation, leading the custom installation business unit in the U.S. and Canada, as well as providing additional global leadership advisory roles in Europe, India, the Middle East, and Australia. A graduate of Bentley University, Jennifer has a BS in Marketing and earned leading industry technology credentials as a Control4 programmer and Savant programmer, as well as URC, Ring ProX, and Lutron Triathlon shading system certifications. She has spoken on numerous panels at CES, InfoComm, and CEDIA conferences.
David Weinstein is Vice President-Residential Sales for Lutron Electronics Co., Inc., in Coopersburg, PA. He is responsible for developing market and sales growth across residential market segments for all of Lutron’s professionally designed and installed products and solutions. David has worked in the lighting control, shading, and lighting systems business for over 40 years. Before joining Lutron in 1999, he was president of Yusen Associates, a New England based manufacturer’s representative for lighting and electrical construction products. David is past president of the Electric Institute of New England, the Connecticut Section of the Illuminating Engineering Society, and the Connecticut Electric Association. He is currently a board member of CEDIA, where he serves as Immediate Past Chairperson, and is a board member of HTA (Home Technology Association). David has a B.S. from Northeastern University and is a Certified Professional Manufacturers Representative.
About CEDIA
CEDIA® is the association for smart home professionals™. Established in 1989, CEDIA remains founded on the principles of advocacy, connection, and education. Globally, CEDIA defends the rights of technology integrators in governmental bodies, gathers industry professionals and allied tradespeople, and creates trainings, standards, and certifications to ensure the smart home industry advances and draws fresh talent. CEDIA co-owns Integrated Systems Europe, the world's largest AV and systems integration exhibition, and founded CEDIA Expo, the world's largest residential technology show. Today, a community of over 30,000 CEDIA members from more than 80 countries deliver home technology solutions that enrich our lives. Learn more about CEDIA at www.cedia.org.