Indianapolis, IN--Utz Baldwin has been selected to fill the newly created position of Chief Executive Officer of CEDIA. Baldwin will serve as CEDIA's primary spokesperson and will focus on advancing members' position in the marketplace through collaboration and forward-thinking relationships with other associations and industries.
Baldwin, president and founder of electronic systems company AD Systems in Houston, TX, has resigned from his position as chairman of CEDIA's Board of Directors and, upon finalizing his agreement with CEDIA, will begin transitioning into his full-time role as CEO. The process of transferring ownership of AD Systems is already underway.
The selection was made by CEDIA's Board of Directors after a committee made up of CEDIA leadership, working in conjunction with executive search firm Career Consultants Group, presented the final two candidates for consideration. The search began shortly after CEDIA announced its intent to establish the new CEO position in April. Baldwin was selected out of 42 candidates who applied for the position.
For the new position, CEDIA sought a qualified individual from the electronic systems industry who was familiar with ongoing issues and trends in the market.
A member of CEDIA's Board of Directors since 2003, Baldwin has long been engaged in the association's efforts to create opportunity for its members. In his role as CEDIA Chairman, Baldwin has been responsible for the overall success of carrying out the strategic plan that guides the association and the Board of Directors.
He has spearheaded many CEDIA initiatives, ranging from authoring education content and speaking on behalf of the association in both interviews and keynote speaking opportunities to actively participating at industry-related tradeshows on behalf of CEDIA. As the chairman of CEDIA's inaugural Electronic Lifestyles Forum and developer of the Registered Outreach Instructor program, he has demonstrated a vested interest in reaching out to the home design and construction industries and their supporting associations. He has also been at the forefront of CEDIA's global endeavors, serving on the Board of Directors for Integrated Systems Europe and delivering education in Latin America.
Leaders from across the industry say they look forward to working with Baldwin in his new capacity as CEO. Chuck Wilson, executive director of the NSCA, believes Baldwin has the potential to make a positive impact on the broader electronic systems industry. "Utz is committed to bettering the industry and emphasizing the importance of education," Wilson said. "I look forward to working with him as part of the continued collaborative relationship between our associations."
Randy Lemke, executive director of InfoComm International, also feels Baldwin will be a strong addition to the full-time CEDIA team. "In the last couple of years, Utz has met with our officers and me to create the very positive relationship InfoComm and CEDIA enjoy today," Lemke said. "I very much look forward to working with Utz in the years ahead as we try to grow our industries and create benefits for our members."
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