Anaheim, Calif. – Starpower CEO David Pidgeon was elected
president of Home Entertainment Source (HES), the A/V specialty division of the
BrandSource buying group.
In a statement, the co-founder of the Dallas-based premium
A/V dealer and custom installer noted that “The independent dealer is facing
many challenges, including a tough economy and shrinking margins. I will work tirelessly to improve the
performance of our group, forge tighter bonds with our vendor partners and
raise the trajectory of our business channel so together we can help our
membership increase bottom-line profits.”
Joining Pidgeon on the HES board is first-time director Jeff
Schneider of Pyramid Audio Video, who succeeds
Marty Hayse of Dennis Sage Home
Entertainment. Returning board members include Vance Pflanz of Pflanz
Electronics; Bill Janka of Mission Audio Video; Bob Dodge of Talk of the Town;
Alan Guyes of Audiotronics; and Andy Kersey of Hamlin & Kersey.
“We’re confident that
David and Jeff will make enormous contributions to our board and help us to
continue building momentum and success for our members,” said HES executive VP Jim
Ristow.
In other BrandSource news, former
digital marketing manager Bob
Donaldson has been promoted to digital
communications VP. In his new role,
Donaldson will oversee member
communications; social media and email marketing campaigns; Internet sales; the
BrandSource app; an extensive redesign of the group’s backroom communications
area; and other new digital technologies, the
buying group said.
“Bob’s vast knowledge
of digital technology and his strong leadership skills will help us continue
our commitment to evolve and expand the digital communications side of our
business,” said BrandSource CEO Bob Lawrence. “We look forward to his
contributions.”
Donaldson has over 20
years of retail sales and management experience in the major appliance and consumer
electronics industries, including 16 years at BrandSource as a regional
manager, communications director and his more recent digital roles. He previously served as a key accounts
representative with Simmons, helping the company expand its mattress business
into non-traditional retail stores. Before that he was a national sales manager
for Federal Warranty, an extended service plan division of American Bankers’
Insurance Group.
BrandSource is a member-owned merchandising group with
nearly 4,500 independent dealers in North America and nearly 3,000 BrandSource branded
stores in the U.S. Its HES specialty division has over 500 member integrators
and dealers who receive specialized pricing, merchandising allowances and
rebate programs while leveraging BrandSource’s general business services.
