Albert Wong has been named High End Systems' new regional sales manager for Singapore. He takes over the duties of Jimmy "JR" Chai, who recently left to pursue other interests. Wong will handle all matters pertaining to High End's automated lighting and controller sales in North and Southeast Asia, and will manage operations at HES Singapore. Wong has 12 years of experience in the industry. He recently was sales manager at a pro audio and lighting company, where he worked for the past nine years. "I am really excited being on the High End team," says Wong. "I am going to enjoy working here, especially with the growing potential in the Southeast and Far East Asia markets."

After a career spanning 15 years in publishing (latterly as advertisement manager of AV Magazine) Lucy Donovan has joined FrameSet as sales manager. The Hampshire-based conference staging specialists - whose expansion programme will be accompanied by a major rebranding exercise - sees the recruitment of Lucy as an integral part of their new marketing thrust. Lucy arrives following a short stint with Quantum Publishing’s Exhibitions Division. "I love the AV industry and this feels like coming home - it’s a challenge that I am relishing immensely." Lucy Donovan has a nationwide remit and will be reporting to managing director, Chris Lillywhite.

Communication Technology Ltd has announced the death of its founder, Ron Glaisher, aged 80. His funeral took place on Thursday 25th May at Croydon, Surrey. Ron had been a well-known amateur radio enthusiast since the 1950s and even before starting his own specialist business played an important part in the development of microphones and handsets for transportation and radio communication applications. Ron sold his Company in 1999 to Scarecrow Bio-Acoustic Systems, a company owned by Tony Walker. Walker commented: "I had known Ron for more years than we would both have cared to admit; until very recently he was involved in our new product development and will be sadly missed as a good friend. I am sure everyone who knows his wife Prue will wish to offer their condolences to her."

Lighting Technology Group announced today that due to a serious family illness Managing Director Alan Hewitt has chosen to take early retirement. Lighting Technology's Founder David Morgan will resume the role of MD, supported by the well-established Executive Team of Garry Nelsson, Bruce Kirk, and Steve Pembury as Sales, Operations and Finance Directors respectively. David Morgan commented: "Alan came on board to bring in new systems and facilities for LTG including Group-Wide Management Information Systems and the new 22,000 square foot National Distribution Centre in Corby. It is regrettable he has had to depart without being able to manage these exciting projects through to completion. Nevertheless, the structure and management he has put in place leaves the company in a very strong position to capitalise on the opportunities our market has to offer in the future."

Glen Beckley has joined Stage Electrics heading up the Audio Design Services department. Beckley recently returned from two months touring the arenas of the USA with southern gospel group the Gaither Vocal Band, following this with designs for pantomimes in Bath, Blackpool, Stoke and Sheffield last Christmas. 2001 will also see him designing systems for national tours of Anything Goes and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, as well as contributing to various installation projects in the UK and Europe. Last year also saw him design a groundbreaking digital audio system for the national tour of ‘Carousel’ starring Darren Day and Sam Kane, the first of its kind seen in the UK, which impressed audiences and critics alike all over the country, as well as a system for the national tour of 42nd Street starring Ruth Madoc.

Stage Electrics has also announced that Peter Western will be joining the company in early June. Western has firm roots in the entertainment industry including 10 years at Donmar and two years at Lighting Technology. Joining Stage Electrics as a business development manager for projects, Western will be working with architects and lighting designers on a range of projects including theatres and permanent visitor attractions as well as architectural installations.

Finally, Ben Cole joined Stage Electrics in May as business development manager for production services. He brings with him experience from Aztec Communications and more recently OnStage Events, the production division of The Sound Division Group, where he was instrumen

Following the recent appointment of Tone Ferne, Dobson Sound continues to expand its team of project co-ordinators to keep pace with the company's increasing workload. Richard Mortimer is the newest recruit to take his place. He will be working closely with David Lewis looking after the museum and conference market. A graduate in Music and Technology from Kingston University, Mortimer has spent the last three-and-a-half years working for Dobson Sound on a freelance basis so he is already very familiar with the client base. "As project co-ordinator it is my job to attend meetings with the client, ascertain their needs, specify the system, organise the crew and basically make sure the whole thing runs smoothly from start to finish."

ETC has announced the appointment of Jeremy Roberts to the new role of field project manager. Jeremy will be working from Nottingham, concentrating on promoting ETC's range of products to end users, consultants and dealers in the north of England. A familiar industry figure, Jeremy has been with ETC for the past two years. Throughout this period he has been responsible for a wide variety of installations including the Millenium Dome, Barbican and the Royal Danish Theatre. Prior to joining ETC, Jeremy spent 15 years in professional theatre, working first as a lighting and sound designer and later as head of lighting and sound at the Nottingham Playhouse.

iLight Ltd, a specialist in lighting control systems, continues to expand its team with the appointment of Crispin Rock as project engineer. Rock joins iLight from an entertainment lighting background, latterly working as a freelance lighting engineer with the television industry and on the London Eye attraction. Prior to this he spent 10 years in Australia developing his technical skills on a varied range of projects. As project engineer, Rock will be responsible for ensuring the smooth management of installations on site, liaising with electrical contractors and lighting designers. He will also use his electrical engineering skills and 'keep his hand in' by undertaking the role of commissioning engineer on certain projects. And he has already 'hit the ground running' working on two iLight projects in London - commissioning the O² Centre, a cinema and shopping complex and Atlantic House, a commercial site.

Following the news of the recent death of Fred Bentham, we have been advised that his funeral will take place on Thursday 24 May at 2pm at Mortlake Crematorium, Mortlake Road, Richmond on Thames (nearest station Kew Gardens). All are welcome to attend the funeral, which was devised by Fred and has no religious content. A celebration of Fred's life and work is being planned for late June at a West End Theatre. Further details to follow.

Technical theatre consultant Graham Walne has launched a new website this month. Designed by Lisa Stannard it contains a newsletter, experience-at-a-glance page, full projects list and photographs. Since migrating to Perth, Western Australia (WA) in 1998, Walne has enjoyed some notable achievements in his new home - lead consultant to the state government’s venues strategy; consultant to several local authority venues; lead consultant on the implementation in WA of vocational qualifications for the backstage occupations; co-founder and chairman of the Institute of Independent Arts Consultants (WA); author of a regular column in the Australasian publication Connections and lighting designer of several notable productions for Perth Theatre Company.

Bandit Lites Inc has promoted Ben Dickmann to the role of director of marketing. Dickmann joined Bandit Lites in June 2000 as a marketing associate and quickly developed the company’s marketing efforts. He is a graduate of Valparaiso University with a BSBA in Marketing.

Al Ridella has joined automated lighting manufacturer High End Systems in the role of Northeast Region Sales Manager, and is now based in High End's New York City office. The industry veteran's resume includes years of experience at a number of familiar companies. Most recently he was production coordinator at Fourth Phase New Jersey. His career began straight out of college with Strand. From there he moved to Vanco as head of electronics, then to Bash Theatrical where he handled systems sales. That led to a rental coordinatorjob at Production Arts, then finally to PRG (whose name changed to Fourth Phase while he was there). "High End Systems is a good company," Ridella says. "They take care of their people and customers, and they make good products. I look forward to working with High End's authorized resellers in the Northeast territory."

Frances Thompson has announced that she is leaving the US-based production industry web venture, Shoptick.com. Launched last year, Shoptick.com offers ‘e-business for show business’ with production resources including online inventory tracking and project management, product and manufacturer listings and crew resources. Thompson, who previously worked for US truss manufacturer Tomcat, was responsible for marketing at Shoptick.com. She told PLASA Media that Shoptick.com was in the process of downsizing in order to concentrate heavily on product development. The company’s Kansas City staff will now handle marketing as well as continuing to provide the level of service already established.