Your browser is out-of-date!

Update your browser to view this website correctly. Update my browser now

×

CEDIA Selects Utz Baldwin as First CEO

Indianapolis, IN — As CEDIA CEO Utz Baldwin will become the trade association’s primary spokesperson and will focus on advancing CEDIA members’ position in the marketplace through collaboration with other associations and industries.

Baldwin, president and founder of electronic systems company AD Systems in Houston, has resigned from his position as chairman of CEDIA’s board of directors and, upon finalizing his agreement with CEDIA, will begin transitioning into his full-time role as CEO. The process of transferring ownership of AD Systems is already underway.

The selection was made by CEDIA’s board of directors after a committee made up of CEDIA leadership, working in conjunction with executive search firm Career Consultants Group, presented the final two candidates for consideration. The search began shortly after CEDIA announced its intent to establish the new CEO position in April. Baldwin was selected out of 42 candidates who applied for the position.

For the new position, CEDIA sought a qualified individual from the electronic systems industry who was familiar with ongoing issues and trends in the market.

A member of CEDIA’s board of directors since 2003, Baldwin has long been engaged in the association’s efforts to create opportunity for its members. In his role as CEDIA chairman, Baldwin has been responsible for the overall success of carrying out the strategic plan that guides the association and the board of directors.

He has spearheaded many CEDIA initiatives, ranging from authoring education content and speaking on behalf of the association in both interviews and keynote speaking opportunities to actively participating at industry-related tradeshows on behalf of CEDIA. As the chairman of CEDIA’s inaugural Electronic Lifestyles Forum and developer of the Registered Outreach Instructor program, he has demonstrated a vested interest in reaching out to the home design and construction industries and their supporting associations. He has also been at the forefront of CEDIA’s global endeavors, serving on the board of directors for Integrated Systems Europe and delivering education in Latin America.

“After multiple in-depth interviews, Utz was the undeniable best candidate for the CEO position,” said Ken Erdmann, CEDIA vice chairman. “He has an extensive knowledge of all CEDIA initiatives and over the past five years has worked tirelessly on establishing relationships with industry partners to better CEDIA members’ presence within the design-build community.”

According to Erdmann, the transition from Baldwin’s current role as chairman to his new role as CEO will be seamless with little to no downtime.

“It’s a great honor to have been selected from among the many qualified candidates who were considered for this position,” Baldwin said. “I look forward to joining the CEDIA team full-time and taking on a new role in supporting the association and the electronic systems industry.”

Leaders from across the industry say they look forward to working with Baldwin in his new capacity as CEO.

“Having worked with Utz on several occasions, I know that his enthusiasm for our industry, love of CEDIA’s goals and objectives and professionalism will bring even more success to CEDIA and its members,” said CEDIA Region 1 chairman Steve Martin.

Stephen Miller, executive director of CEDIA Asia Pacific, praised Baldwin as “an excellent representative who always has CEDIA’s global best interests in mind.”

Chuck Wilson, executive director of the National Systems Contractors Association (NSCA), believes Baldwin has the potential to make a positive impact on the broader electronic systems industry. “Utz is committed to bettering the industry and emphasizing the importance of education,” Wilson said. “I look forward to working with him as part of the continued collaborative relationship between our associations.”

Randy Lemke, executive director of InfoComm International, also feels Baldwin will be a strong addition to the full-time CEDIA team. “In the last couple of years, Utz has met with our officers and me to create the very positive relationship InfoComm and CEDIA enjoy today,” Lemke said. “I very much look forward to working with Utz in the years ahead as we try to grow our industries and create benefits for our members.”

The announcement has also met with enthusiasm from CEDIA’s partners in the residential design and homebuilding industries. “Utz has been a key agent to formulating and strengthening the ties that are helping the residential supply chain embrace the electronic systems contractor,” said Mark Pursell, senior staff vice president of the National Association of Home Builders’ Exhibitions, Marketing & Sales group. “He has the ability to understand the perspective of other parties and find the common interests of all concerned.”

Close