AV and custom integration buying group ProSource has announced its 2024 Members of the Year. These honorees will be celebrated at the 2025 ProSource Summit, taking place March 22-26 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn.
“I am thrilled to announce the 2024 Members of the Year for Custom Integration, Power, and Pro Members!” said Jim Pearse, CEO of ProSource. “These members represent the pinnacle of excellence in the Consumer Electronics Industry, embodying ProSource’s core values of collaboration, strong vendor partnerships, engagement, and business excellence.
“After evaluating group purchase percentages and engagement scores, we are proud to recognize our Custom Integration Vendors of the Year: Sterling Sound & Vision, Entertainment Design Group, Integration Controls, and Video General. Our ProSource Power Member of the Year is A/VX, and we are honored to celebrate our Pro Member of the Year, B&H, a valued partner for over 35 years. Congratulations to all of you and your outstanding teams!”
“I can not be more thankful to receive this recognition,” says Chad Shapiro, Owner of Sterling Sound & Vision. “For over a decade, my team and I have worked so hard to deliver the very best that we can for our clients. Being acknowledged for my team’s hard work and dedication is a true honor. Thank you!”
“Congratulations to Chad Shapiro and the Sterling SV team on this well-deserved honor! The ProSource Member of the Year award recognizes companies that exemplify excellence through their support of group brands, active participation, and strong industry reputation. Sterling SV’s expertise, dedication, and commitment to the ProSource community make them truly deserving of this recognition.” – Bobby Dodge, ProSource Northeast Regional Business Manager
Lightapalooza took place in late February, and the growth of the event has mirrored the rapid ascension lighting fixtures and controls.
“My mom still wants me to get a real job,” says Eddie Bloom, Owner of Entertainment Design Group. “It’s a true honor to be recognized by my peers in an industry I have spent my whole life loving.”
“As Member of the Year for the Western Region, I am proud to recognize Entertainment Design Group (EDG) in Las Vegas. Over their 5.5-year partnership with ProSource, EDG has experienced significant growth, with a remarkable 150% increase in both business and member benefits” says Brian Kjaer, Training Manager at ProSource. “This success is a direct result of the collaborative and proactive approach they’ve taken with ProSource, led by Eddie Bloom.
“Eddie’s passion for his business and commitment to its growth are truly inspiring — whether building out a new showroom or consistently offering me valuable vendor suggestions, training ideas, and business improvements. From quickly signing up for the V11 Working Group, along with his consistent participation in every meeting, speaks to his willingness to share his insights and experiences, both online and offline, with me and fellow ProSource members.
“It’s this genuine spirit of collaboration and his dedication to helping others succeed that makes Eddie, and EDG, so deserving of this honor. I am proud to celebrate their achievements as Member of the Year.”
“It was a great way to enter 2025, knowing we would be recognized as North Central Member of the Year,” says Jamie Briesemeister, co-owner at Integration Controls. “The outside acknowledgment of a ‘job well done’ has resonated with our team, and we are honored to be recognized.”
“I am thrilled to announce that Custom Integration Controls LLC in St. Louis, MO, has been named the North Central Member of the Year! This outstanding team embodies everything ProSource stands for—actively supporting group brands, fully engaging in all aspects of ProSource, and advocating for our industry with enthusiasm. Jamie Briesemeister has been a powerful voice for integration and CEDIA, particularly in expanding lighting offerings.
“As they approach their 20th anniversary in December 2024, Integration Controls has marked the occasion with major milestones, including moving into a new building in Fall of 2022, creating a cutting-edge AV and lighting Technology Design Center, and achieving record-breaking sales. In true industry spirit, their team celebrated the move by picking out new vinyl records for their upcoming 2-channel system with a turntable—now that’s a team-building event that speaks to their passion!
“Beyond their own success, COO Chase Mosman has been instrumental in supporting other integrators with business strategies, operational efficiency, and strengthening partner relationships. The Integration Controls team is also deeply involved in the design/build community, offering CEUs, hosting events, and showcasing the power of integration at local trade shows. As they step into their 21st year, I can’t wait to see what they accomplish next!”— Jim Crowley, ProSource North Central Regional Business Manager
“We are deeply honored to be named ProSource Southeast Member of the Year. This recognition is a testament to our incredible team, loyal clients, and the strong partnerships we’ve built through ProSource. Together, we’re shaping the future of smart living and transforming the way people experience technology,” say Robert Guarasci, Scott Rathbun and Chris Hughes, Video General.
“For the 2025 Southeast Member of the Year, I selected Scott Rathbun and the team at Video General in Grand Prairie, TX. Like many areas of the Southeast, the Dallas/Fort Worth market has a ton of great members” says Steve Simon, ProSource Southeast Regional Business Manager. “What stands out about Video General is their growth mindset and engagement with ProSource partners.
“Over the last few years, they have seen sustained growth in their business by leveraging brands like NICE, DMF lighting, and most recently McIntosh. When walking through their warehouse I was truly impressed by the level of organization and overall attention to detail they have in place for every project. Video General has also continued to invest in their showroom and demo space and the entire team is warm and welcoming. It’s truly an honor to have Video General representing ProSource as the 2025 Southeast Member of the Year.”
“We are truly humbled and honored to be recognized by the best of the best—our esteemed peers and vendors from across the nation,” say Rich and Jodi Erkens, owners of A/VX. “This recognition reaffirms our passion for what we do every day, and we are grateful to be part of such an exceptional community.”
“Celebrating 20 years in business, Audio Video Extremes has grown from a humble startup into a powerhouse in the audio-video industry” says Frank Marengo, ProSource Director of Sales. “Owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Rich and Jodi Erkens, the company has built a reputation for excellence, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction.
“With two thriving locations in Waite Park, MN, and Baxter, MN, they have successfully expanded their reach while maintaining a high level of service and expertise. Their balanced approach to business—excelling in both residential and commercial services—has been a key factor in their continued success. A proud ProSource member for 18 years, Audio Video Extremes embodies what great looks like. They deeply value strong ProSource vendor relationships and are active contributors to the organization. Their ongoing input to the ProSource leadership team on education and market trends, along with their dedication to attending all ProSource meetings and shows, highlights their commitment to industry growth and leadership.
“Additionally, they are a key participating member of one of the founding V11 business groups, further demonstrating their dedication to collaboration, innovation, and business excellence. We are honored to recognize Audio Video Extremes as the ProSource Power Member of the Year, celebrating their outstanding achievements, dedication, and contributions to the industry.”
“B&H is truly honored and thrilled to be recognized as ProSource’s 2025 PRO Member of the Year” says Jeff Berger, Senior Buyer at B&H. “Our partnership with ProSource has been instrumental in our journey, and we look forward to the opportunities ahead.”
“1973 was a memorable year for New York City. The Mets played in the World Series, George Steinbrenner bought the Yankees and the World Trade Center opened. Right alongside of the most memorable events was the opening of B&H Photo.
“Founded on the principles of being honest and treating people well, B&H has grown from a small mom and pop shop to become one of the largest consumer electronics retailers in the world” says Jim Kozicki, ProSource VP of Business Development. “Their expansive selection, highly educated staff and personalized customer service truly exemplifies retail execution at its finest.
“B&H has actively contributed to ProSource for over a decade. From their consistent participation in group events and initiatives to their exceptional support of our vendor community, B&H represents the best of the best. I am proud to announce B&H Photo as the ProSource PRO Member of the Year.”
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