October 17-18 • 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.

J. Christopher Hinkle is a native Floridian who grew up in Orlando.  He attended Liberty University in Virginia and upon occasion traveled with Dr. Jerry Falwell.  After a three year stint with Walt Disney World, as a production operator, he and his wife Kathleen moved to Fort Worth, Texas in 1981 to work for the Southern Baptist Radio and Television Commission where he served for 4 years.  Since his days at the Radio and Television Commission, Chris has served in the role of Technical Director and Minister of Media for several of the nation’s largest Southern Baptist Churches.  He is currently on staff at Prestonwood Baptist Church as the Director of Engineering.  Chris has completed a myriad of projects in his career with his most recent being a multi-million dollar High Definition renovation at Prestonwood. Concurrent with his full time ministry, over the last 26 years, he has been a pivotal team member of the technical crew that executes the annual Southern Baptist Convention for crowd upwards of 20,000 attendees.  His vast practical experience in operations design and engineering, is tempered with a deep understanding of the needs and purpose of the ministries he serves.

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 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.

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 Burton

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.

Before coming to Crown, 11 years ago, David was lead Technician and Technical Coordinator for the New York State Fair and Expo Center, for 20 years, as well as having his own contracting business and being the Technical Director for his church. With a strong background in amplifiers, microphones, installation and networked system applications David is one of the Application Support personnel at Crown International and is the lead person on the Crown Forums.

Debbi Albert, National Sales Manager for Leviton Lighting Management Systems working in the lighting dimming and control industry since 1984.

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.

Gene is the National Sales Manager for Audix Microphones.  He is a published technical writer who has written several articles on microphones and microphone applications.  He works directly with such Christian artists such as Phil Keaggy, Casting Crowns, Denver and the Mile High Orchestra, P.O.D., Kutless and Salvador.  As a former Worship Leader himself (he was the Worship Leader for Meadow

Springs Community Church in Portland, Oregon from 1995 through 2000) he  brings an intimate understanding of the audio challenges in today's contemporary worship. 

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.

Jerry Seay

Jerry Seay has been involved in Church lighting and Sound since an early age. His mother was Choir director at Westminster Presbyterian, so he started out moving buttons and faders at an early age. After College, he cofounded PDA, a full service A/V Installation, Design and Production company specializing in Intelligent Lighting for Houses of Worship. In 1996, Jerry left to go work for Martin Professional, to head up their JEM and Mach product divisions. After 7 very successful years there, he took some time off, moved back home to Charleston, SC, and became the Technical Director for Seacoast church, a fast growing, non denominational multi site focused church. While very fulfilling, I missed the chance to work with churches of all sizes throughout the country, so last year he was offered the position at ICD (The US Distributor of Coemar lighting) to head up the East Coast and House of Worship markets throughout the US. Jerry is happily married, and he and his wife Lisa worship at Calvary Chapel church, and enjoy the life and outdoors in Southern Florida.

Jesse Lewis

Jesse Lewis is President of WorshipFilms.com, a Christian company that produces a wide range of video products for church services.  He has years of experience in local and church video production, and is a frequent seminar/workshop speaker on topics relating to multimedia in worship.

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.

Kent Margraves has many years of experience as a full-time, professional worship audio director and mixer focusing on sound reinforcement, live recording, post production and broadcast audio of worship events of varied styles and sizes including worship services, concerts, pageants, conferences, and tours.    He now concentrates on Worship and Installed Sound applications at Sennheiser Electronic Coproration and operates TCG Media part-time, which supports worship ministries through audio mixing and training services.

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.

Max Kopsho, CTS, MCSE, is currently Director of Training and Consultant Relations for Kramer USA. Max is responsible for national training and consultant relations for Kramer Electronics. Max has worked in the AV industry for over 12 years managing sales, product development, channel marketing and training. Over the last 20 years Max has acquired an extensive background in supporting A/V systems, computer networks, telecom, and VTC systems and for 10 of those years Max served in the Army as an electronics/electro-optics technician. Max worked with special electronics devices such as thermal imaging, night vision and as a repairman for the hawk missile system. Currently Max is an academy faculty member for InfoComm International and service on the Professional Education and Training Committee for InfoComm International.  Max has taught for NSCA University and NAB as well.

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.

Richard Hill is the Southeast Market Development Manager for Digital Projection International.  For over three years, he has worked closely with the top-level sales, marketing and applications divisions of all of DP’s worldwide hubs.  Specializing in application and sales support, as well as product training and demonstration, Hill addresses the needs of the large screen worship market from DP’s Atlanta headquarters.

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.

Tom Knesel has been involved in audio system design and consulting for over 20 years with an emphasis on church and installed sound. In addition to his background in the audio industry, Tom has served on numerous worship teams both as a musician and tech director. He has contributed as a speaker, clinician and musician at several national worship events and seminars including past staff positions at Worship Institute and Seminars4Worship. Tom and his wife have recently relocated to Rochester NY where he has recently taken the position of National Sales Manager with Ashly Audio.