New AV Firm Rises in the Big Easy
Solomon Design Associates, a new technology design and consulting firm, recently opened its doors in the warehouse district of New Orleans. The firm was born of a need for technology design in recovery and new construction across Greater New Orleans and was spurred in part by the Live Performance Tax Credit offered by Louisiana Economic Development.
Solomon Design Associates, a new technology design and consulting firm, recently opened its doors in the warehouse district of New Orleans. Company officials say the firm was born of a growing need for technology design in recovery and new construction across Greater New Orleans and was spurred in part by the Live Performance Tax Credit offered by Louisiana Economic Development.
“We felt that Louisiana’s entertainment industry was lacking a firm that could combine both the technology and the production sides of the equation,” said Gary Solomon, Jr., president of Solomon Design Associates and Solomon Group, in a statement. “The birth of this partnership is exactly what the state program was designed for – to develop a native entertainment industry with all the capabilities here in the state.”
The team, which also includes managing partners Steven Fisher and Rob Pourciau, hash been involved in some of the most high-profile technology, audiovisual, and entertainment projects in the region, according to the company. In their former roles with SoundWorks System Integrators and Frischhertz Technologies, where Fisher began that company’s Technologies Division 10 years ago, Fisher and Pourciau managed the highly complex, state-of-the-art technology and audiovisual systems for Churchill Downs Fair Grounds Race Course, Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, and most recently the National WWII Museum expansion.
Solomon has been credited with creating more than 120 full- and part-time positions for production professionals, actors, musicians, and others under projects that take advantage of the live performance tax credit including the resurrection of Le Petit Theatre, creation of a new signature entertainment attraction for the National WWII Museum, and production and management of the new Broadway-bound musical “White Noise.”
The team also includes Jonathan Foucheaux and Stephen Fink, both of whom bring expertise In entertainment venues. Foucheaux served as director of entertainment at Six Flags Theme Parks and has led the development of more than 30 attraction installations across the country. He has designed the integration of sound and lighting systems for live venues, ride-control systems, show control systems, and other highly customized applications.
Fink spent nine years as production manager at the Louisiana Superdome and New Orleans arena, where he designed and managed integration projects for the two facilities, including managing system upgrades for the arrival of the NBA’s New Orleans Hornets.
“One of the most energizing things about the work that we do, and what we’ll offer clients through Solomon Design Associates, is taking a project’s technology-based systems–whether it’s new construction or the revival of a hotel or an entertainment venue – from the design stage through to completion,” said Pourciau, in a statement. “Not only do we understand the technical and production aspects required of these projects, but we can assist in keeping technology and systems budgets on track by working with architects and builders from the beginning. It’s an exciting time and place to be in this business.”
SDA will continue to work closely with SoundWorks and Frischhertz installation teams. “They gave us a great foundation, and for that we are extremely grateful,” said Fisher.
