Bandit Announces Nashville Promotions

	Erich Hudgens, Jimmy Hatten, and Shawn Lear, Bandit Lites Nashville

Bandit Lites announces three promotions within its Nashville location: Erich Hudgens to shop foreman, Jimmy Hatten to project manager, and Shawn Lear to client representative.

Hudgens has worked with Bandit for seven years both as a lighting technician and project coordinator before taking on the role of shop foreman. In his new position, Hudgens will work to ensure all the events prepping on the floor have their needs met, assist with shipping needs, check in returning shows, and ultimately make sure the shop stays organized and efficient.

"Walking into the shop foreman position at Bandit Lites Nashville is an honor and a pleasure," said Hudgens. "Filling Mark Steinwachs' shoes will be a big job but I am confident that I bring my own skill set to the position and will help it grow over the coming years. I look forward to helping make Bandit Lites better than it already is."

Hatten's new position as project manager fulfills a critical role in bringing lighting designers' visions to reality. Using the clients' ideas, Hatten will create touring systems, festivals, or one-off shows from the beginning stages of prep, to being loaded on to the trucks, to then providing support throughout the entire run of the tour or event.

"I am excited to be working with such a great team of talented people and hope that my 15 years of touring experience with Bandit can add even more to the wealth of knowledge that already exists to provide a product that is top notch," said Hatten. "I look forward to many more years Bandit in this new role and welcome any and all projects the may come."

Lear brings eight years of touring expertise and another seven years as a project manager with Bandit Lites to his new role as client representative. He's managed every aspect of lighting systems for events and tours of all sizes, from rigging and fixture plots, figuring out DMX, cable, and power, all the way down to nuts and bolts for the truss. His attention to precise detail will be an incredible asset in his new role as the first point of contact with existing and future clientele.

"Being involved in any aspect of a live production is why I enjoy the 'edge of the spotlight business,'" said Lear. "I have always wanted to be there and this has led me to working more than just concerts and into theatre, live events, and television productions. Working at Bandit Lites allows me to bring the highest level of service to our clients with the ability to satisfy complex designs using over 40 years of Bandit experience, our outstanding road and shop crew, and technical services department. With the support of Bandit Lites behind me, I feel confident in continuing to provide the consistency of service and ensure what's become known as the 'Bandit Standard of Quality.'"

"Shawn, Jimmy, and Erich are valuable team members at Bandit," said Bandit chair Michael T. Strickland. "Each of them has spent years in the Bandit system and have continued to learn, grow, and add value to the lives of those around them. Out fierce family culture and dedication to our clients is what makes them who they are. We know the next few years will be even brighter with these three gentlemen in their new roles. I wish to thank them all for everything they do."