Press Room

FAIRFAX, VA — May 2, 2016 — InfoComm International^® has named Jeremy Caldera, CTS^®-D, CTS-I, the association's 2016 Educator of the Year. Caldera, Lead Audiovisual Design Engineer for Zdi Inc., will receive his award in a ceremony preceding the keynote address at InfoComm 2016 in Las Vegas, held June 4-10.

InfoComm's Educator of the Year Award is given annually to recognize individuals who have made important contributions to the development, education and training of AV professionals and others considering careers in the audiovisual industry. Caldera, who was awarded InfoComm’s Young AV Professionals Award in 2015, is a Faculty Member of InfoComm University^™ and Chair of the InfoComm Certification Steering Committee. He also established and teaches the three-credit undergraduate course Audio Visual System Design at Columbia College Chicago, based on InfoComm curriculum.

"InfoComm and the AV industry are fortunate to have Jeremy Caldera involved in our programs and in the education of tomorrow's integrators and designers," said David Labuskes, CTS, RCDD, Executive Director and CEO, InfoComm International. "He has also been involved in crafting industry standards and is an early proponent of the International Communications Industries Foundation’s grant program, which was created to offer internships and mentoring to talented individuals entering the AV industry."

Caldera received his Bachelor’s degree in Audio Arts and Acoustics from Columbia College Chicago and then started returning to his high school, St. Bede Academy in Peru, Ill., to volunteer his time training sound board operators for school performances. Prior to joining Zdi, he was a design engineer for Thompson Electronics Co. and worked for the Spirit Education Association and WSOG Radio.

"Jeremy is not only knowledgeable about technology in our industry, he also practices careful, professional selection and application of technology to the delivery of good communication," said Pantelis Vassilakis, Ph.D., Chairman of the Audio Arts and Acoustics Department at Columbia College Chicago's School of Media Arts. "Jeremy has worked with us to enrich our curriculum with education in the design of AV systems. His contributions have been timely and insightful and his professionalism has been instrumental in the progress of this initiative."

Each year, InfoComm International recognizes outstanding AV professionals for their contributions, leadership and commitment to excellence. In 2016, the InfoComm Awards Committee, a panel of volunteers, received nominations from across the AV industry and named winners for the Mackey Barron Distinguished Achievement, Adele De Berri Pioneers of AV, CTS Holder of the Year, Educator of the Year, Women in AV and Young AV Professionals Awards. The Harald Thiel Volunteer of the Year Award is bestowed by InfoComm staff.