So it was finally announced today in Sunday morning service that I am leaving my fulltime position at DFA and going to work for Hiscall.  I am as excited for the new opportunity as I am sad to be leaving, a strange mix of emotions. 

A few months ago I began to feel that I needed to get a little more training and certification under my belt, as I have 15 years experience running A-V and 8 years running IT equipment . . . but absolutely nothing on paper as far as classes or certification go.  To that end, I began looking for a new job where I could get some training.  That’s where Hiscall comes in.

Hiscall specializes in telecommunication and data networks but has recently expanded into security and A-V for businesses, churches and schools . . . which is where I come in.  I recently was offered the opportunity to interview at Hiscall to be a part of the fairly new A-V department.  Right now the A-V department is specializing in A-V systems integration in conference rooms and classrooms and the like (press one button and all the A-V tech comes on and is plug-and-play ready, automatically sensing what is plugged in and switching inputs accordingly . . . and not just A-V stuff either, see www.crestron.com) and digital signage (basically super-duper power point on high def screens in several locations throughout a company run by a central server.  Info in lobbies of banks, outside the door of a conference room telling when meetings are today, etc.  See www.trms.com) as well as a few other things.  But we are going to expand into new areas as soon as we can, meaning as soon as we all learn how to install them ! 

To that end, I’ll be getting not only a lot of certification in codes and practices . . . but training on how to install and program all kinds of cool A-V stuff !  Tomorrow, Monday the 21st of June, will be my last day at DFA.  I will start at Hiscall on Tuesday the 22nd. Yah, no rest . . . no vacation . . . just hitting the ground running.  There are several reasons for the fast transition . . . but basically the timing worked out that I either needed to start Tuesday or wait a couple of weeks and then start.  And while the prospect of a few weeks of vacation sounded very good . . . the budget is tight enough that financially that would leave me with no emergency fund.  So . . . it’s hit the ground running and rest later !

After 15 years running A-V at DFA, after 10 years heading up the A-V department, after 8 years of being a full time employee of DFA and taking on not only the A-V, but the Media creation and IT roles . . . it’s difficult leaving.  I was training my replacement last week, Chip Johnson (a super awesome guy who is, quite honestly, going to be better at my job then I ever was), and it started to sink in that I was leaving. Then I was cleaning out my office and it finally hit me . . . it’s not my office any more.  After 15 years, it was like handing over a child to someone else’s care.  Very strange.

But I am excited about the future !  I’m not sure how much I’ll be able to tweet or write about at first, as some of what we’re doing isn’t officially announced yet . . . but as I get certified and trained on the new products, I’ll finally be able to write about them on the blog as an expert . . . or at least as someone who has professional training on the products ! 

So, here’s to the future !

Now I must continue reading up on Tight Rope Media Systems Carousel digital signage system.