CEDIA has revealed the recipients of its 2021 Volunteer of the Year Awards, recognising individuals, nominated by CEDIA staff, who have made essential contributions to association programmes over the past year.
The volunteer Awards are split into four categories: Volunteer of the Year, New Volunteer of the Year, Education Volunteer of the Year, and Certification Volunteer of the Year.
This year, the following have been awarded:
Volunteer of the Year – Mal Fisher, AWE Europe Ltd, United Kingdom
Mal Fisher, chief technology officer at UK distributor, AWE Europe, worked as an integrator before joining AWE 15 years ago, and has since risen through the ranks to run the company’s technical and training department. He currently serves as chair of CEDIA’s Professional Development Advisory Council and has previously provided his expertise to CEDIA Education initiatives in the EMEA region and globally.
New Volunteer of the Year – Matt Manalis, CIT, eXperience ONE, Australia
Matt Manalis, CIT, is managing director of BMR Group TA eXperience ONE, an Australia-based smart home integration company. Manalis has spent 13 years designing and installing integrated homes around Australia for high-end residential, luxury marine, and aged care and disability sector clients. He previously served on the CEDIA CIT Exam Development Task Force and currently contributes to the CEDIA Certification Commission and Disability and Aged Care Task Force.
Education Volunteer of the Year – Mark Warburton, Ivory Egg, United Kingdom
Director at Ivory Egg UK, a specialist KNX distributor and training provider, Mark Warburton is also a director of the global Ivory Egg Group. His experience drives his mission to educate and support dealers and integrators to help them run profitable businesses and deliver award-winning projects. Warburton is active with the CEDIA Technical Education Working Group and previously served on the Discovery Working Group in the EMEA region.
Certification Volunteer of the Year – Mike Ranpura, CIT, ESC-T, ESC-N, Smart Life AV Ltd, United Kingdom
Mike Ranpura, CIT, ESC-T, ESC-N, is director of Smart Life AV, a UK-based residential AV integration firm, which was named one of the first ever CEDIA Advanced Member companies. Ranpura has represented CEDIA as a presenter at the Royal Institute of British Architects, the British Institute of Interior Design, and consumer-facing events. He holds multiple CEDIA Certifications and is a member of the CEDIA Certifications Commission.
“Mal, Matt, Mark, and Mike exude the best qualities of our industry,” said CEDIA vice president of engagement & global development, Wendy Griffiths. “During the last year, integrators, distributors, and manufacturers from the industry, in every country globally, have been untied by a common challenge. These four have demonstrated a level of generosity with their expertise and time that goes above and beyond. Their contributions have made lasting impacts on so many levels, and we are proud to recognise them with one of CEDIA’s highest honours.”
The 2021 Volunteers of the Year will be recognised during the 2021 CEDIA Global Awards presentation ceremonies on 11 November.