Walt Zerbe will join the CEDIA professional staff as senior director of technology and standards, according to the trade association. Zerbe has more than 25 years of experience in the industry working primarily in product development and product strategy for audio manufacturers, most recently Legrand.
In addition, Zerbe has lent his expertise to several volunteer leadership roles over the years, including the CTA Audio Division Board (chair), CTA Division Executive Board, CTA/CEDIA R10 Residential Systems Standards body (chair), CTA TechHome, CTA Multi-Room Audio Video Council, R3 standards group (chair), CTA Technology and Standards Council (chair), CTA Board Of Industry Leaders (BIL), and the CEDIA Technology Council.
“It is important for CEDIA to keep pace with the exponential innovation in our industry so that we can continue to provide members with the resources they need to remain profitable,” said Dave Pedigo, CEDIA VP of emerging technology. “Having Walt join the team brings an incredible thought leader and subject matter expert to the table who understands both the manufacturer and integrator side of the industry.”
In this new role Zerbe will direct and implement all aspects of CEDIA standards initiatives; monitor, analyze, and aggregate industry data; create and recommend strategies based on emerging technology developments; and serve as an in-house subject matter expert and liaison to standards committees.
For his extensive involvement in standards development and his leadership within the industry, Zerbe was awarded the CTA Technology Achievement Award in 2009 and the CTA TechHome Division Mark of Excellence Leadership Award in 2012. Before joining the manufacturer side of the industry, he was president of a custom low-voltage integration firm.
Zerbe will begin his role at CEDIA on April 17.
