ETC Promotes One, Hires Another in Los Angeles Office

	Nick Saiki and Chris Stokes, ETC

ETC strengthened their west coast team, promoting Chris Stokes to associate regional manager for ETC in the Western United States and hiring Nick Saiki to fill the newly-vacant position of field project coordinator in the Los Angeles, California office.

In his role as associate regional manager, Stokes will assist Randy Pybas, west coast regional manager entertainment, in forming and executing sales strategies and increasing the company's customer support throughout the Western United States and Western Canada. Stokes joined ETC in 2015 as a field project coordinator.

"Chris Stokes has rapidly become a key contributor to our sales efforts in the west," says Pybas. "His knowledge of our products and ability to work with customers and develop strong relationships with end users and colleagues alike, make Chris a great compliment to our regional efforts. I look forward to working with Chris to continue to provide sustained support and growth to our industry."

Stokes received a bachelor of arts degree from Bucknell University, and a master of fine arts degree in lighting design from California Institute of the Arts. He worked as an assistant lighting designer in New York with Don Holder and in California with Brian Gale and Lap Chi Chu. Stokes went on to become technical director for California State University Northridge and then technical director for The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills.

Saiki joins ETC full-time as a field project coordinator. In this role Saiki will train end users, support sales, and arrange and conduct multiple presentations with customers, representatives, and dealers throughout the region.

Nick received his BA from the University of California, Irvine. He attended The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) and was awarded his MFA in lighting design and technology in 2017. During graduate school, he spent six months at ETC in the systems group as a project management intern. Prior to joining ETC, he programmed, designed, and drafted for over 200 concerts, conventions, and festivals at a lighting company in the Los Angeles area.

"Nick Sakai is a natural fit for our ETC West team!" adds Pybas. "Nick has worked in the industry as a designer, programmer, and technician and has a wealth of industry knowledge across all segments of entertainment and hospitality lighting. He'll be a great addition to our team and help support ETC's commitment to a focus on service."

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