CEDIA has promoted two of its employees to fill key areas of strategic focus: education and workforce development. Samantha Ventura (photo shown above) was named vice president of education and training and Ian Bryant was appointed to the post of vice president of technology application and workforce initiatives.
“Each is dedicated to driving the industry forward by keeping education, training, innovation, and workforce efforts on the cutting edge,” said Tabatha O’Connor, CEDIA’s global president and CEO.
Ventura’s responsibilities involve directing, managing, and providing leadership in all instructional and academic systems within the organization’s education programs. She plans, develops, and oversees various curriculum development and certification programs, and promotes and coordinates curriculum and course development and evaluation. She joined the organization in March of last year, and spent Ventura the past two decades, both in California and Indiana, dedicated to developing and implementing learning programs, as well as best practices for engaging and inclusive instruction in many larger organizations and institutions of higher learning. Her undergraduate work was specifically in education, and her Master’s and PhD work focused on teaching and organizational leadership. She has a special interest and focus on cultural intelligence and virtual leadership.
Bryant’s responsibilities involve collaborating with the education department on high-level pathways and learning tracks, building business partnerships with industry organizations, and managing all things tech at CEDIA’s new global headquarters. He works directly with the technology and standards department, tech council, and discovery working group. His new position adds workforce initiatives and workforce development efforts designed to bring more individuals to the integration field. These programs include CEDIA Electronic Systems Integration Technician training, boot camps, City & Guilds, and the Smart Home Technician Apprentice program. Occasionally, Bryant works with the marketing department on technology-related speaking engagements.
Bryant was named senior director of technology application and innovation in March after a more than two-decade career in custom AV and integration. His experience includes serving as a technology subcontractor for residential, corporate, government, and hospitality projects. He ran the Indianapolis office of Detroit-based ZenArray, which specializes in consulting, design, programming, and installation services, before coming to CEDIA. Bryant is the 2017 CEDIA Volunteer of the Year and 2011 CEDIA Education Volunteer of the Year, and has served as a subject matter expert for the organization since 2008. He was also CEDIA Awards chair for three years and has been an Awards judge for a decade. Bryant is a Crestron Silver Master Programmer and is Harman HCCP, CEDIA ESC-T, ISF, HAA, Biamp, BSS, and QSC-certified. He is also a nationally certified EMS/EMT.
