CEDIA has announced the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Anthony Grimani, alongside the induction of Patrick Hartman and Joe Wallace as this year’s esteemed CEDIA Fellows.
Lifetime Achievement Award
This award is reserved for those whose efforts have profoundly shaped the smart home industry, leaving a legacy that endures. The Lifetime Achievement Award is a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the pioneers whose vision and dedication continue to influence the industry’s future.
Anthony Grimani, co-founder of Grimani Systems and president of MSR Acoustics, is also a CEDIA founding member, Fellow, volunteer, instructor, and standards leader who holds seven patents in audio and acoustics. Grimani’s 25+ years of industry experience include executive positions at Dolby and Lucasfilm THX. While at Dolby, he co-invented 5.1 surround sound. And during his nine-year tenure at THX, he managed the THX consumer licensing program and the technology development program, setting the direction for consumer and professional AV businesses. Grimani developed the Home THX program, the THX PM3 program, and invented the revolutionary Surround EX 6.1 channel audio format, which was pioneered in Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace.
“Anthony is passionate about our industry and has achieved some outstanding contributions that have impacted the future for us all,” says Alex Capecelatro, CEDIA Board chairperson. “He has also maintained his involvement with CEDIA from the early days, and this year, joined the RP32 Measurement & Validation of Audio Performance Task Force and Standards Committee, and is chair of the RP1 Performance Task Force. Congratulations on this award, Anthony — you are a true pioneer who is committed to advancing the industry.”
CEDIA Fellows
This year, the honor of CEDIA Fellow is awarded to Patrick Hartman and Joe Wallace, whose enduring dedication and influential work have helped guide CEDIA and the smart home industry toward success. They join an esteemed group recognized for shaping the field and leaving a lasting mark on its progress.
Patrick Hartman, general manager at Technology Design Associates – Reno branch, has been in the AV and systems integration industry for 35 years, with extensive experience in roles such as project management, business development, system design and engineering, and installation in both residential and commercial verticals. Hartman has volunteered with CEDIA for an impressive 16 years and counting, which started when Hartman was invited to train as a CEDIA instructor. From here, he expanded his volunteering efforts as he was motivated to give back to CEDIA and improve the industry. During this time, he helped shape the professional development that CEDIA offers, supported the planning and implementation of an industry leadership summit, and, more recently, served as chair of the Instructor Working Group.
“Wow, what an incredible honor to be named a 2025 CEDIA Fellow,” said Hartman. “I’m truly humbled to be recognized alongside so many industry legends I’ve admired for years — many of whom have guided me as mentors and become cherished, lifelong friends.”
Joe Wallace, president of Wallace Integration Inc, is a 35-year industry veteran who specializes in operations and project management for large custom residential projects. Wallace has been involved with CEDIA for over 31 years. He was instrumental in establishing the CEDIA University, served for two years as the chairman of the Education Content Action team responsible for all education classes at CEDIA Expo, was a Subject Matter Expert for the original EST I and EST II certification exams, and has been an instructor for technical, business, and project management courses. More recently, he has served as an SME on the Certification Working Group committees and was a member of the Instructor Working Group committee.
“Being named a CEDIA Fellow is quite an honor,” comments Wallace. “I’m humbled for the recognition and proud to have my name added to such an esteemed list of CEDIA peers, volunteers, and industry veterans. My involvement with CEDIA has always been an incredibly important part of my career path. I am extremely thankful for the recognition.”
“Both Patrick and Joe have been incredibly generous with their time as volunteers and have supported CEDIA in a number of different areas over the years,” adds Capecelatro. “Their dedication to our industry is inspiring, and we are delighted to honor them both this year by naming these two distinguished leaders as our 2025 Fellows.”
Grimani, Hartman, and Wallace will be recognized during the 2025 CEDIA Smart Home Awards ceremonies in the Americas, APAC, and EMEA regions. To purchase tickets to these events, visit cedia.org/awards.
