October 19-20 • Clearwater, FL

Session Facilitator Bios

Blair McNair is independent consultant, designer and systems operator.  With over 30 years of direct involvement in the technical ministry he has gathered considerable experience in the diverse needs of the church; 6 of those on staff with a large church.  He continues to be involved as a regular live sound mix engineer, for house and monitors, in churches ranging from 500 to 7000 people.   In his professional audio career he has served as a systems operator, installer, designer, and consultant.  He is well known as an educator, speaker and author in the pro-sound industry and for trade and educational events.  His insights and enthusiastic approach generate a clear understanding and lasting impression.

Chris Phillips has worked for Sennheiser since December 2002.  He has held Product Management positions in both the Installed Sound and Professional markets.  He now works as the Market Development Manager for Sennheiser’s South Central Region.  

Chuck Collins has more than 25 years experience creating sales and distribution programs in the large-venue digital imaging industry.  His recent endeavors have created historic milestones in the entertainment industry.  As Digital Projection’s senior market development manager, Chuck Collins has excelled at identifying new opportunities that utilize the company’s, LIGHTNING, THUNDER and HIGHlite displays.  Recently, Collins has acted as Digital Projection’s executive leader in creating and supporting programs to supply projectors at every major film festival and exhibition industry demonstration.  His efforts have secured a nine-year alliance with the Sundance Film Festival, and established the company as the exclusive provider of digital projectors for the Festival’s digital programming. 

Chuck is founder and president of Walthall & Associates, Inc., a Pensacola, Florida based corporation specializing in acoustics, design-consulting and system management; providing 28+ years of knowledge and experience in the technical systems industry.  Mr. Walthall serves as an adjunct professor of acoustics and audio technology at Okaloosa-Walton Community College / The University of West Florida, where he instructs courses, develops courses and facilitates on-line distance learning curriculums. Mr. Walthall has, to his credit, over 275 completed projects and holds 3 earned state low voltage licenses.

An industry veteran, Craig Sibley has over 25 years of experience in the Pro-Audio and Music industries. Past endeavors have included sound design and consulting, while working with major recording artists/groups including Seal, Stevie Wonder, Yes, and Devo.  His post production and composition credits include television, film and theatre with major Hollywood releases and Broadway productions.  His expertise in music and recording technology has earned him positions at many industry leading companies including Roland, Otari and iZ Technology.  He is an active songwriter/composer/producer and a Lead Worshiper at Ocean Hills Church in San Juan Capistrano, California.  With his new position as a Marketing Product Specialist for Aviom, Inc, Craig has a fresh perspective and unique understanding of the needs of today’s worship leader.

Daniel Maggart is the Director of Worldwide Sales and Marketing and a co-founder of Corevalus Systems.  He formerly held the position of Major Account Executive at IKON (NYSE:IKN) Office Solutions in local and national sales.  Previously, Daniel was the Admissions Director for Lexington Christian Academy.  Daniel holds a bachelor of arts in psychology and business from Asbury College.   Daniel is a worship leader at Georgetown Community Church, in Georgetown, Kentucky.

David is the Creative media Director for Providence Baptist church and has been on staff there for 4 years. His experience includes full systems integration, Design, and installation, as well as helping to build, and launch the Pax Network located in Clearwater Florida. David has also worked on many remote productions, that included Presidential visits, as well as managing and planning Prison Fellowship teams, to provide sound support for Chuck Colson’s ministry. David has also been a volunteer in the media teams at his former church in Florida for over 12 years. He is married to his wife of 23 years and has one Son 21. He also enjoys playing drum with the Worship teams when time allows.

Don is a lay volunteer with experience in church tech running audio, video, lighting, and more for many years.  In addition, he owns Christian Photos, a stock photography and video website.

Gary spent 10 years as a full time minister of music.  In addition, he spent 18 years as a sound contractor in Nashville specializing in House of Worship Designs and Installations.  Gary has taught audio acoustics and system design at Ridgecrest Baptist Conference Center and Glorieta Baptist Conference Center for 18 years.  He spent 3 years as a manufacturers representative before moving to his current positions with AKG as Marketing Development Manager for Install and Touring Sound.

Glenn Collinge began his full time career in the professional sound industry in 1976. In 1981, he was installing broadcast video and A/V projects in Atlanta, Ga. In 1988 Glenn began design/engineering audio/visual systems and in 2001 embarked on his current position at FSR.

He has been very involved with the audio and video media ministries in his church for 15 years including one year of a youth “portable” church, building a new church sanctuary, routine system maintenance as well as weekly services support with sound and video.

Glenn has a passion for educating the church tech support ministries and has taught classes at NAB, Inspiration, LDI, WFX, NSCA, NRB as well as many regional conferences. He is currently serving on the technical ministries staff at The Atlanta Vineyard.

Bill Wyramon is Producer at WorshipFilms.  His duties include video editing, motion graphics, print work, and web design.  Bill has been involved in video production, both professional and recreational for over 15 years and is passionate about reaching people through the visual arts.

John Loufik joined Community as an engineer in the company’s Technical Applications Group in March of 2006.  Loufik is responsible for providing technical support, applications and systems overview assistance to the company’s wide range of consultants, dealers, representatives and end users.

Loufik came to Community after many years as an independent audio design consultant and practitioner in the New Jersey area. His interest and training in audio began in high school where he operated and installed audio systems at his local church and has continued to do so to the present. He is a graduate of Asbury College and Syn-Aud-Con, and a current NSCA member. Having served as an Assistant Pastor and in other ministry roles in his local church, John offers a unique understanding of the needs of audio systems from both sides of the pulpit. He offers a wide range of expertise regarding a variety of types of venues both in Houses of Worship and outside the world of church AV.

Jonathan has been involved in Technical Ministry for over 20 years.  He is actively involved in training children and youth in audio, lighting, and worship software.  Jonathan has been with TRG for over 6 years in sales and worship software support.

Kurt Howell's experience as a Recording Artist, Lead Vocalist, Session Keyboard Player, Touring Musician, Staff Writer, Producer, and Publisher is second to none.  Kurt has experienced all facets of today's music industry.  These valuable experiences continue today as a producer for many top recording companies.  Currently Kurt's production company is developing and signing artist for today contemporary marketplace.  Kurt also works for Digidesign as an HD Product Specialist in South Florida.

Mark Greenlee has been in broadcasting for 30 years and is currently, in addition to being co-owner of Line 21, Vice President of Network Operations for ION Media Networks, the largest broadcaster in America.  Operating the Network control point for all programming feeding the 63 television stations owned and operated by ION Media Networks.  Additionally ION can be seen on hundreds of cable systems around the country and via satellite on Dish Network and Direct TV.

Michael Laiacona is the president and founder of Whirlwind.  He has been in the pro-audio industry for 35 years and was a founding member of MXR Innovations, Delta Amplifiers, and Whirlwind.  Michael spent 38 years as a touring musician and system designer, and installer.  Many national stadiums, theme parks, government projects, and touring sound have used his products and designs.

Mike DeFreece is a Regional Manager for BIAMP Systems, an internationally recognized leader in the audio electronics industry.  Mike is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and has more than 20 years of experience in the sound and audio-visual industry.  His background includes diverse experience in the areas of system sales, design and integration, as well as the operation of large-scale sound reinforcement systems.  Prior to his recent move to the Atlanta area, Mike also served on the staff of First Baptist Concord in Knoxville, Tennessee as the Front of House Sound Engineer for nine years.  In addition to his regular gig of mixing sound for the 3000 seat worship center, he also trained the church's many volunteers and maintained the sound systems throughout the campus.

 Mike speaks regularly with some of the most influential integrators and system designers in the audio visual industry, and thus has gained a unique perspective on where our industry is now and where we are headed.  Mike has taught various classes on the proper techniques of sound system design and operation, as well as provided instruction for specific digital signal processors.  Mike has presented technical seminars for a variety of groups, including churches, theme parks, and integration companies, and provides technical training on an ongoing basis for his customers.  His areas of expertise include designing large sound reinforcement systems, programming complex digital signal processors, and applying appropriate sound system theories and methods to maximize the performance of sound systems.

With over 25 years experience in the design, installation, operation, and training of technical systems for auditoriums, schools, conference centers, and churches, R Bob is uniquely qualified to help attendees understand the relationship of the room to the technology.  Using humor to support the topics discussed, R Bob allows attendees to enjoy themselves while discussing technically challenging subjects.

With nearly 20 years of television experience, Kindle has produced, directed, or otherwise participated in the production of nearly 1000 hours of national television coverage, both live and post produced.  His credits include NFL Broadcasts, College Bowl Games, NHL Hockey, Olympic Games, World Series and NCAA basketball Final-Four tournaments throughout the years.  His talent extends beyond stick and ball, with production credits on Water Skiing, Dog Shows, Paintball, Dance and Drill competitions, the Corporate Sports Battle, NHRA and IHRA Drag Racing, Drag Boat Racing, Hydroplane Racing, Professional Wrestling and World of Outlaw Sprint Car racing.
Kindle’s productions have aired on ESPN, ESPN2, TNN, TBS, NBC, Spike TV, ABC, USA Network, SPEED Channel and OLN.

In 2005 Ryan changed career paths and is now the Director of Media Services for Idlewild Baptist Church in Tampa, Florida. After 16 years of membership and volunteerism at the church, he was a near perfect fit for his new role. Responsible for all things Video and Production lighting at such a facility has been an exciting transition for him. The 30 foot screens and over 250,000 watts of lights make the job a little tricky sometimes, but a dozen volunteers during each service help to keep Kindle, and the service on track.

Steve has been providing lighting design services to the corporate theater and entertainment industries for over 25 years. In that time, he has lit countless events which include lighting design and show services for four US Presidents, multiple Heads of State, Royalty, some of the largest corporate shows known and endless numbers of internationally recognized stars and performers. Presently Steve is kept busy as Lighting Designer/Director for Art Garfunkel.

Steve has excelled in design and pre-programming abilities including items such as WYSIWYG and the Wholehog II. In fact, Steve and his brothers co-created several of the very popular Wysiwyg Tutorials that are available from CAST Lighting. Steve has been amongst the earliest user of the Wholehog line of lighting consoles even taking first delivery of a Hog 2 in the United States (#6 console). Since then he has taught countless others to use many of these powerful industry tools. He has also gone on to develop much of the North American training materials and classes for the Jands Vista line of consoles.