Driven and Dynamic Former Magnolia Exec Joins AVAD management team
Van Nuys, Calif. — May 1, 2007 — AVAD, America’s leading distributor of home technology products, announced today that Rick Wigen has joined the company as vice president of Merchandising. In this newly created position, Wigen will oversee all aspects of merchandising, including vendor relations and programs, inventory planning and category management.
An esteemed consumer electronics executive, Wigen brings over 29 years of CE experience to AVAD, having most recently served as director of Merchandising for Magnolia Audio Video TV where he managed the team that planned, purchased and managed the TV business of Magnolia Audio Video and Magnolia Home Theater inside the well-known retailer Best Buy. Prior to his tenure with Magnolia, Wigen was an audio merchandising manager with the Tweeter Home Group, where he was involved in managing Tweeter inventory, purchasing and sales forecasting.
“Rick brings immense sales knowledge and industry expertise to AVAD,” said Bob Gartland, president of AVAD. “We are confident his insights and experience will help us position the company for future growth and help us add even more value to our network of dealers.”
Wigen will be responsible for directing the strategy and execution of AVAD’s merchandising efforts throughout all locations nationwide. He stated: “I look forward to leveraging my experience at such a dynamic company as AVAD. With 37 existing distribution centers and plans for new location openings in the near future, AVAD is poised for continued growth and I’m very excited to bring my ideas to the mix.”
AVAD is no ordinary wholesaler: AVAD’s dealers are provided with extensive training and education via AVAD University, which conducts more than 450 online and classroom training events each year. All of AVAD’s Electronic Systems Contractors receive certification in systems integration and other important skills — ensuring that the company’s installers and integrators are the most knowledgeable and highly trained professionals in the industry. Integrators and builders who are a part of the AVAD D2B (Dealer to Builder) program also receive the benefit of receiving marketing support materials and sales training that help both the integrator and builder fully communicate the benefits of new home technology systems and lifestyle amenities. Currently, AVAD serves more than 9,000 dealers at 37 distribution centers throughout the United States.
In Brief: Release Summary
• Rick Wigen has joined AVAD as vice president of Merchandising.
• In his new position, Wigen will be responsible for creating purchasing and brand partnership strategies that take into consideration the unique challenges, scenarios and dynamics at each of the 37 AVAD locations across the United States.
• An esteemed and driven consumer electronics executive, Wigen brings over 29 years of consumer electronics experience to AVAD, having most recently worked for Magnolia, where he served as Director of Merchandising for Magnolia TV.
About AVAD, LLC
AVAD, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ingram Micro, Inc., is the most complete home integration solutions provider in the United States. Its in-depth technology offering of the most trusted brands and progressive continuing education programs provide all the support necessary to design and implement complete home electronic systems solutions. AVAD stocks products for home theater, lighting controls, distributed audio/video, central vacuum, and more. AVAD also provides just-in-time delivery from each of its 37 locations nationwide.
AVAD is dedicated to dealer education, training and skill advancement, as evidenced by AVAD University’s over 450 online and classroom continuing education classes held each year. By partnering with CEDIA for key industry training courses such as Installer Level I and II Certification, Designer Boot Camps and Home Theater Workshops, AVAD is unparalleled in its commitment to the betterment of the industry and the dealer’s bottom line.
AVAD exemplifies this concept with the Dealer to Builder (D2B) program, which links highly-trained and qualified members of its 9,000+ dealer corps with homebuilders across the United States to outfit new homes with in-demand, cutting-edge electronic systems.
Product lines that AVAD distributes and supports include: Acme Brackets, APC, Aprilaire, Artison, Atlantic Technology, Belden, Bose, Carlon, ChannelPlus, Coleman Cable, H-P Products/Dirt Devil Central Vacuum Systems, D-Link, Draper, Fujitsu, Gefen, Goo System-Visual Reality, Inc., Harman Kardon, InFocus ScreenPlay, iPort, JVC Professional Products Company, Key Digital, Lutron, Marantz, Middle Atlantic Products, Inc., NetStreams, Niles Audio, Niveus Media, OmniMount, OnQ Technologies, OpenHouse, Panamax, Panasonic Phones, Peerless, Philips, Polk Audio, PROconnect, ProFlex, RTI, Samsung, Sharp, SharpVision, Spaun USA, Terk, Toshiba, Universal Remote Control and more.
In July 2005, AVAD was acquired by Ingram Micro, Inc., making its parent company the leading distributor for solution providers and custom integrators serving the fast-growing consumer electronics and home automation markets in the United States.
For more information about AVAD, visit www.avad.com.
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