West Chester, Pa. – Azione Unlimited, a buying organization for
integrators and custom-installing retailers, has added two more dealer members.
Eric Thies, CEO of DSI
Entertainment Systems, and Will Pisula, general manager of Encore Audio Video,
have joined Azione as founding members with seats on the group’s 11-member
advisory board.
The board presently consists of five vendor members and four
dealer members. Two final dealer members are expected to be announced next
month.
“We are exhilarated to add these two sentient businessmen to our
advisory board,” said Azione president and founder Richard Glikes. “I look
forward to Eric and Will’s counsel in helping to shape our dynamic
organization.”
Thies, a veteran of
Highland Superstores and The Good Guys, helped grow Van Nuys, Calif.-based DSI
from a small residential installation company specializing in satellite systems
to what Azione described as the largest high-end electronic systems contractor
in Southern California and the most awarded integration firm in North America.
“Eric has a very large and exceptionally well-organized business,”
Glikes said. “His leadership skills and experience will be communicated at our
free conferences, helping other integrators grow and avoid the natural pitfalls
that come with the trade.”
Pisula helped Bang & Olufsen penetrate the U.S. multiple
dwelling unit market and ran his own residential integration firm for eight
years before becoming general manager of Encore Audio/Video (formerly Northwest
Sony Only), a Portland, Ore.-based integration firm.
“Will is an extremely bright retailer who has helped transform
Encore into the pre-eminent dealer in the Portland, Oregon market,” said Glikes.
His past experience with Bang & Olufsen and his innate attention to detail
make him an ideal advisory board member.”
Thies and Pisula join fellow board members David Daniels of ESC
(Electronics Systems Consultants), Mike Thul of Thul Electronics, Andy Oxenhorn
of JL Audio, George Walter of Digital Projection, Jason Sloan of Sonance (Dana
Innovations), Keith Haas of Integra, and Phil McPhee of the Harman luxury audio
group.
