DNAV, a full-service systems integrator and manufacturer’s representative specializing in broadcast, audio-visual and public safety systems, has hired a proven sales and business development leader to manage current accounts and drive future business growth. Brian Walker joins the company as National Sales Manager effective immediately, bringing more than 30 years of broadcast and professional audio experience to the growing company. Based near Seattle, Brian will be responsible for all North American business and report to DNAV principal executives Daniel Hyatt and Nick Straka.
Daniel and Nick are responsible for a large part of DNAV’s sales initiatives. Brian’s appointment frees them to focus on the company’s expanding schedule of design and integration projects, which include TV and radio facilities, houses of worship and networked AV/IT systems for businesses and event venues. Brian will also work with Daniel and Nick to build the company’s manufacturer’s representative side of the business, which today includes Sierra Automated Systems, a manufacturer of studio consoles, mixers and Audio over IP routing systems for broadcast and AV facilities.
“DNAV’s growth trajectory has taken the company into exciting places as a full-service dealer, installer and technical services provider,” said Hyatt. “Brian’s sales experience, customer relationship skills, industry contacts and business leadership qualities will allow us to more effectively coalesce our vision as a company and establish a strong foundation for continued business growth.”
Brian joins DNAV from Sennheiser, where he took on roles of increasing responsibility over his eight years with company. With an initial focus on customer satisfaction and quality control, Sennheiser soon leveraged his diverse professional background to identify new business opportunities, generate product demand, drive training initiatives, and manage complex engineering projects. These were all natural roles for Brian, given his previous experience as a TV/radio broadcast engineer and later as a sales manager for Professional Video and Tape. It was here that Brian gained valuable insight into the systems integration process over his 16 years with the company – a vision that positions him for success with DNAV.
“To succeed in broadcast and AV sales, it’s necessary to understand the processes and dynamics of the business you represent,” says Walker. “I have worked closely with integration teams to source products for complex installations on short notice, and manage customer relationships to ensure that their needs are addressed with speed and accuracy. These experiences, along with the ability to offer technical support, recognize industry trends and develop strategic initiatives to meet customer requirements, will allow me to effectively service current DNAV accounts and help Daniel and Nick grow the business.”
While Brian brings TV and video experience to DNAV, he notes that audio is his first love and looks forward to growing the SAS brand. “Most modern radio broadcast facilities will have between three to eight radio stations in one facility, all controlled out of one technical core,” he said. “SAS allows broadcasters with multiple professional studios to move voice, music, satellite feeds and more over a single category cable, and Daniel and Nick were among the first integrators in North America to bring Dante and other networked audio solutions into broadcast facilities.”
Brian notes that DNAV’s networking experience extends into IT infrastructure to support modern broadcast and AV facility needs, as well as long-distance networking applications including STL links between broadcast studios and transmission sites.