CEDIA is adding three new members to its prestigious Fellows program, which honors long-time members and volunteers who have contributed significantly to the association’s success.
The 2010 honorees, Frederick J. Ampel, Anthony Grimani, and Jeff Zemanek, join the first group of 10 CEDIA Fellows, who were inducted last year. The 2010 inductees will be recognized at the annual Electronic Lifestyles Awards Banquet, September 25 during CEDIA EXPO 2010 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
“The CEDIA Fellows represent some of the brightest minds in the industry,” said CEDIA CEO Utz Baldwin. “We are proud to honor these pioneers with the distinction of CEDIA Fellowship, and we thank them for their many contributions to the industry and to the association.”
Here more about the 2010 inductees:
Frederick J. Ampel, Technology Visions, Overland Park, Kansas
Fred Ampel has been involved in the professional A/V industry for nearly 40 years. His career has included work in live
sound reinforcement, broadcast audio production, residential system integration, and sales and marketing. He has served in an editorial capacity at several prominent industry publications and has been published in numerous industry journals. In 1991, Ampel founded Technology Visions, a consultancy specializing in marketing, business, and technology development for the A/V industry. He was the principal editor for CEDIA’s 1997 Home Theater Manual and created and produced CEDIA’s Garden of High Definition Delight from 1997–2002. He chaired CEDIA’s Certification Task Force, has served on the CEDIA education council, and is a longtime CEDIA Certified Instructor. Ampel holds a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering from Boston University and a B.A. in English/Music from Long Island University.
Anthony Grimani, Performance Media Industries, Novato, California
Tony Grimani’s 25 years of experience in the audio industry include positions at Dolby and Lucasfilm THX. While at Dolby, he was involved in the development of surround sound for consumer applications. At THX, Grimani managed the THX consumer licensing program and the technology development program. He is now president and lead consultant of Performance Media Industries Ltd. (PMI), a consulting firm specializing in multi-channel A/V system design. Grimani also heads up Media Specialty Resources Inc. (MSR), which distributes specialty A/V tools, and has taught at every CEDIA EXPO since 1990. He has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of California at Davis.
Jeff Zemanek, Lutron, Coopersburg, Pennsylvania
As Lutron’s director of new residential business development, Jeff Zemanek is the primary contact for associations and manufacturer relations and works to increase sales by creating new programs and policies. Zemanek joined Lutron in 1998 and has filled many roles over the years, most recently serving as director of residential sales. An active member of CEDIA and PARA, Zemanek served on CEDIA’s board of directors from 1993 through 1997, was the organization’s 1994-95 president, and has chaired several CEDIA committees and councils. A 29-year industry veteran, Zemanek was re-elected to the CEDIA board in 2005 and served through 2009. Zemanek attended the University of Cincinnati.
