Your browser is out-of-date!

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

×

Associations Focus: InfoComm’s ICIF Creates Michael Vergauwen Education Fund

InfoComm International’s International Communications Industries Foundation (ICIF) has announced the creation of a new education fund to recognize the career achievements of AV industry leader Michael Vergauwen

Associations Focus: InfoComm’s ICIF Creates Michael Vergauwen Education Fund

Aug 6, 2009 12:00 PM

Michael Vergauwen

InfoComm International’s International Communications Industries Foundation (ICIF) has announced the creation of a new education fund to recognize the career achievements of AV industry leader Michael Vergauwen. Vergauwen, the COO of AVI Systems and officer of InfoComm International, died in an accident on June 28.

“Michael’s dedication to the industry and to its members serves as a role model for all InfoComm members,” says Randal A. Lemke, Ph.D., executive director of InfoComm International. “This fund recognizes his dedicated service and will help more people participate in the AV communications industry.”

The Michael Vergauwen Education Fund will foster educational opportunities, enhancing the audiovisual industry’s service to the public through scholarships, curriculum development, community engagement, and the promotion of careers in the AV field. Proceeds from investing the fund will be used on an annual basis to create these new educational opportunities, while the balance will be maintained to continue to make investments in the industry on an ongoing basis.

The fund has set an initial target of $100,000 to begin the activities of the fund. “Da-Lite Screen Company has graciously directed the ICIF to put their recent $25,000 NEC Best of InfoComm Award prize and their $25,000 matching donation toward the Michael Vergauwen Education Fund,” Lemke says. “InfoComm has also set aside $25,000 to match additional donations. It is our sincere hope that the AV industry will be as generous as it can to help continue the legacy of Michael Vergauwen.”

Companies and individuals wishing to contribute to this fund should send donations to Michael Vergauwen Education Fund, ICIF, 11242 Waples Mill Rd., Suite 200, Fairfax, VA 22030. Checks should be made payable to the International Communications Industries Foundation. Donations will be tax deductible as provided by Section 501(c)(3) of the United States International Revenue Code.

For additional information, please visit www.infocomm.org.

Jim Ford

InfoComm International Board Names Jim Ford, PE, Secretary-Treasurer

The board of directors of InfoComm International has selected Jim Ford, PE, of Ford Audio-Video Systems to serve as InfoComm’s secretary-treasurer for the remainder of 2009. He will serve as president-elect in 2010, and will continue to ascend through InfoComm’s offices, in accordance with the InfoComm bylaws.

“InfoComm’s board of directors had the unfortunate task of selecting a successor to Michael Vergauwen, who passed away a few weeks ago,” says Jay Rogina, CTS, president of InfoComm International. “The board consulted with the Leadership Development Committee and concluded that Jim’s expertise on technical issues, his prolonged commitment to the industry, and [his] dedicated service on the InfoComm board made him the right choice for the secretary-treasurer position.”

Jim Ford is president of Ford Audio-Video Systems, an Oklahoma-based audio, video, and lighting contractor, where he has directed operations since its inception in 1973. Under his guidance, the company has expanded to seven national locations. Ford received his Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Oklahoma, in Norman, Okla. He is a registered professional engineer in Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas. Ford is a frequent instructor for a wide variety of industry groups, and he contributes articles to industry trade publications. Ford is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers; the Audio Engineering Society; the Acoustical Society of America; the National Society of Professional Engineers; the Oklahoma Society of Professional Engineers; and NSCA.

 
Related Links

Associations Focus: InfoComm 09 Largest Pro AV Show Ever Held on East Coast

InfoComm 09 was the biggest commercial AV show ever held on the East Coast, with more than 29,000 AV professionals attending from more than 80 countries…

Associations Focus: InfoComm Reaches Out to Architects

InfoComm International recently visited the American Institute of Architects Exposition in San Francisco to promote the value of the CTS credential to architects…

Associations Focus: InfoComm International CTS-D Credential Earns ISO/IEC 17024 Accreditation

InfoComm International announced that the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has expanded the scope of InfoComm’s accredited Certified Technology Specialist program…

Register Today for New Online Courses

InfoComm has two new online courses:

AV Math Online (GEN104) is suited to those beginning their AV career or anyone needing a refresher when it comes to basic formulas used in everyday situations. It is a series of online lessons supplemented by videos and a workbook to help reinforce and apply the math formulas taught.

Project Management for AV Online (GEN105) is a great core knowledge course for anyone who has just been promoted to project manager and for those who are already managing projects. It is a series of video training, taught by Brad Malone, PMP. An introductory video about the class is available on the course’s description page, found on InfoComm’s website.

Both courses are particularly important for CTS holders as well as those studying for the exam. Each course earns RUs, and EduBucks may be used to purchase either course. Visit www.infocomm.org/store to register.

ICIF Scholarship Winners Announced

The International Communication Industries Foundation (ICIF), the nonprofit foundation administered by InfoComm International, has issued nearly $40,000 in scholarships for the 2009-2010 academic year. Thirteen students who are employees or dependents of employees of InfoComm International member companies were awarded $1,500 each. Seventeen students who are outside the industry were awarded $1,200 each.

To be eligible for ICIF scholarships, students must be majoring in audiovisual subjects or related fields, including audio, video, telecommunications, electronics, technical aspects of the theater, data networking, software development and information technology. Students with other majors may be considered if they can demonstrate a relationship to career goals in the AV industry.

Featured Articles

Close