AV/IT Amplifier

AV/IT Amplifier

Higher education institutions rely on audio-visual (AV) and information technology (IT) solutions as a key backbone for modern teaching and learning. The AV/IT industry plays a critical role in providing these solutions, and it is important to highlight the latest trends, innovations, and perspectives in this sector. The podcast “The AV/IT Amplifier” aims to fill this gap by featuring interviews with people from Higher Education Institutions and the AV/IT Industry who have an idea, concept, perspective, event or product that would be helpful or interesting to the target audience of higher education technology managers. The host of the podcast is Ryan Gray, Assistant Director of IT at Yavapai College. “The AV/IT Amplifier” podcast will have a bi-monthly schedule with two recordings per month, each being split in half to provide for weekly episodes. Each episode will be targeted for 30 minutes to be about the length of an average commute. The first half of each recording will focus on the primary topic for that guest, while the second half will be a profile of the person. The podcast will not only focus on technical topics but also on non-technical ones such as effective people management, pedagogy, community building, building a personal brand, career planning, professional development and other similar topics for our audience. The split episode format allows for a dive into the topic and the opportunity to get to know the person and perhaps draw the connections between why that topic is so important to that guest.

Episodes

July 30, 2025 41 mins
This debut episode of This Month in Higher Ed AV kicks off a monthly panel discussion reviewing key content posted to Higher Ed AV Media. Host Ryan Gray is joined by Jon Gunzel of John A. Logan College, Renee Benson of Sony Professional Display Solutions, and Erin Maher-Moran, Chair of HETMA from Johns Hopkins University. Together, they explore major trends and insights shaping the higher ed AV landscape, all grounded in fresh arti...
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Recorded live at the HETMA Roadshow in Chicago, this week’s episode continues the conversation with Atkins Fleming, Assistant Director for Learning Spaces at Texas State University and Treasurer of HETMA. Picking up where Episode 115 left off, this candid discussion drifts from music to meaning, from fake Zoom backgrounds to the real impact of integrity in leadership.

Atkins and Ryan go deep into what drives decision-making, the sli...
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Recorded live at the HETMA Chicago Roadshow on the campus of Northwestern University, this episode features a candid and insightful conversation with Atkins Fleming, Assistant Director for Learning Spaces at Texas State University and current Treasurer of HETMA. Ryan finally manages to sit down with Atkins after years of crossing paths, and the result is a conversation full of heart, structure, and purpose.
Atkins walks listeners th...
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July 9, 2025 28 mins
In this completely off-the-rails, hilariously human second installment, Rebecca Wade returns to the AV/IT Amplifier for a wide-ranging and joyfully unpredictable conversation that barely touches technology—and that’s exactly the point. What begins as a follow-up to her work with Igloo Vision turns into a full character study as Rebecca opens up about introversion, extroversion, road-tripping across America with only the Twilight so...
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In this immersive episode recorded live from the HETMA booth at InfoComm 2025, host Ryan Gray sits down with Rebecca “Bex” Wade of Igloo Vision to explore the transformative role of shared immersive spaces in education. From her nickname on her badge to her engineering team’s creative geometry problem-solving, Bex brings energy, humor, and insight to every corner of the conversation.
Together, they dig into the flexible applications...
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In this episode of the AV/IT Amplifier, we’re back with the one and only Frank Alaimo, Manager of Classroom Technology Services at UNLV, for part two of our conversation. If you thought the first episode was candid, insightful, and full of AV realness, buckle up. We go deeper into career resilience, camping disasters, philosophical takes on human nature, and what it really means to be a no-nonsense decision-maker in higher ed tech.

...
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Ryan Gray interviews Frank Alaimo, Manager of Classroom Technology Services at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Frank shares his journey from crashing on a friend’s couch to leading one of the most respected AV teams in higher education. They discuss what it takes to build a culture of trust, how to lead without losing your hands-on instincts, and the balance between autonomy, accountability, and just getting things done...
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Live from the InfoComm Show Floor, right before opening Ryan gives us an update of where the state of industry tradeshows is and where its going!  Whether your at the show this week or at home get a feel for whats happening and whats to come.
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We’re back for a brand-new second conversation with Charity Anne Caldwell — and this time we’re keeping it fun, insightful, and future-focused! Charity and Ryan swap stories about running for school board, building more inclusive spaces in tech, and why conferences like InfoComm are about so much more than just the gear. Charity also shares her sci-fi favorites, what makes great leadership in higher ed, and why asking “Why are we d...
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Ryan Gray is joined by Charity Anne Caldwell, Classroom Technology Supervisor for the University of Illinois College of Medicine. In this lively conversation, they explore the unique culture of working in a medical school environment, the tension between tradition and innovation in higher ed, and how personal idealism can shape leadership.

Charity shares insights about navigating institutional politics, the evolving role of IT in ed...
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Welcome back to The AV/IT Amplifier! In Episode 107, host Ryan Gray sits down again with the one and only Jon Hamilton, Senior AV Manager at Emory University’s School of Medicine. Jon is a well-known voice in the higher ed AV world, and this episode gets personal — touching on everything from alternative career paths and deep-sea fishing to building trust, forging partnerships, and staying true to your word.
💡 In this episode:
  • J...
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What happens when a former dinosaur-hunting integrator turns higher ed AV hero? In this episode, Ryan reconnects with Jon Hamilton — a man whose AV origin story begins in the ’80s and who now serves as a trusted fixture in the higher ed AV landscape.

From aggressive integrator days to nurturing secret-service-style classroom support, Jon shares hard-won insights, hilarious metaphors, and a grounded philosophy on service, leadership,...
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Chris Kelly returns for Part 2! Ryan and Chris pick up where they left off, diving into everything from AV tech spaces that feel like “home” to the personal and professional journeys that shape us. Chris shares insight into his transition from mental health counseling to IT, how he approaches major life decisions, and why taking a pay cut for the right opportunity can be life-changing.

The conversation also explores the realities of...
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April 30, 2025 34 mins
We roll past 100 with momentum! Ryan Gray interviews Chris Kelly, a senior IT support specialist at Creighton University. Chris shares his unique journey from social work to the AV and IT field, emphasizing the importance of human interaction in technology. The discussion explores the intersection of psychology and technology, the value of advisory boards in the AV community, and how individuals can get involved in these initiative...
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In Part 2 of the AV/IT Amplifier’s 100th episode celebration, Ryan is joined by an expanding cast of brilliant and chaotic friends from higher ed and beyond—including Robyn Bryce, Jon Hamilton, Tom Aldridge, Lyle Waldron, and Britt Yenser.

What starts as a continuation of gratitude and reflection quickly evolves into a deeply honest conversation about amplifying unheard voices, leading through constant change, and finding resilience...
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Welcome to a very special 100th episode of the AV/IT Amplifier!

What started as a casual invite to past guests turned into an unscripted, heartwarming, and hilariously chaotic reunion of AV/IT voices from across higher ed. Ryan is joined by Adrian Doughty, Robyn Bryce, Jon Hamilton, and Evan Gray in this first of a two-part celebration. From the origins of the show’s three-digit numbering scheme to deep dives into wisdom vs. knowled...
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We're back with week 2! Ryan Gray and Patrick Angielczyk discuss the significance of trade shows in the AV industry, the importance of lifelong learning, and the value of mentorship. Patrick shares his experiences at ISE, his passion for music and lean manufacturing, and his pride in mentoring others in the AV field. They also explore networking opportunities and the role of the Rising Professionals Council in career development.
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In this episode of the AV/IT Amplifier, Ryan Gray interviews Patrick Angielczyk, an AV Technologist at Mohawk College. They discuss the importance of roadshows in the AV community, the value of volunteering, and the opportunities for networking and learning at industry events. Patrick shares his journey into the AV field, the significance of certifications, and how to get involved with the Rising Professionals Council. The conversa...
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We're back for week 2 with Adrian Doughty.  He and Ryan discuss the importance of human connection in the tech industry. Adrian shares his approach to connecting with customers, emphasizing the need to talk with people rather than at them. They explore themes of introversion and extroversion, personal interests in cooking and travel, and philosophical views on humanity and aging. The conversation wraps up with Adrian's thoughts on ...
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This week Ryan Gray interviews Adrian Doughty, the Director of Sales at Nureva, who shares his unique journey into the AV industry, the evolution of audio technology, and the importance of flexibility in modern learning environments. Adrian discusses Nureva's innovative approach to audio solutions, particularly in higher education and corporate settings, and highlights the company's growth and future plans, including exciting new p...
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