David Labuskes, CTS, RCDD, Named Next InfoComm International CEO

The board of directors of InfoComm International, the trade association representing the commercial audiovisual industry, announced David Labuskes, CTS, RCDD, will become the next executive director/CEO of InfoComm International, effective January 1. He is succeeding executive director/CEO Randal A. Lemke, Ph.D. who is retiring at the end of 2012.

For more than 13 years, Labuskes has served as vice president of RTKL, now a division of ARCADIS, one of the world's leading architectural and engineering firms. He is the founder of the company's technology design practice, overseeing the delivery of audiovisual, voice, data, wireless, environmental media, electronic security, and acoustics services. Responsible for the operational, financial, and marketing of technical services globally, Labuskes has led projects in the corporate, government, commercial, and healthcare spaces.

Prior to joining RTKL, Labuskes served as president and CEO of Premier Technology services, asoftware and systems design consulting firm. Previously he was executive vice president of Accelerated Payment Systems, an electronic payments processing firm. He holds a B.A. in international politics and business from Penn State University and an MBA from Loyola University of Maryland.

"David Labuskes is a leading expert on the intersection of technology and the built environment. He is the executive who can help chart the course for InfoComm and our industry when it comes to the future of networked AV, smart building technology, and more," said Greg Jeffreys, president of InfoComm International. "His commitment to creating excellent environments will help the industry continue the quest for quality experiences for the industry's end-customers."

Labuskes has been a long-time volunteer with InfoComm, BICSI, the National Systems Contractor Association and TIA, offering guidance in industry training, best practices, and credentialing. "As an integrator, I think David Labuskes is the ideal choice to share his unique insights on the future of AV in the built environment and advise the integration community on the IT skills that our businesses will need to acquire," said Jim Ford, chairman of the InfoComm leadership development committee. "I believe he will be able to use his experience as an industry instructor to share practical advice that will benefit InfoComm's heritage members -- AV dealers and integrators."

The executive search committee remained committed to finding a candidate with practical business experience. "As the president of a leading company in the live events space, it was very important to me that the next executive director and CEO of Infocomm International have a solid corporate background," said Johanne Belanger, InfoComm secretary and treasurer. "InfoComm is a $40 million association, and keeping the organization in solid financial condition is of paramount importance if the group is to continue serving the industry with training, certification, networking opportunities, and more. I believe David Labuskes will be an excellent steward of the association's funds. As an MBA and a former CEO, he has the experience needed to keep InfoComm on solid financial ground."

Labuskes will begin preliminary work at InfoComm on November 26, transitioning into the executive director/CEO position on January 1. "I am looking forward to becoming the leader of InfoComm International and getting to know more about the concerns and aspirations of all segments of this great industry," said David Labuskes, CTS, RCDD. "Whether you are an integrator, live events professional, manufacturer, programmer, technology manager or design consultant, I am eager to work alongside you, with InfoComm's professional staff, to make this great association even better."