Azione Unlimited Named Two Founding Dealer Members
March 27, 2012 – Azione Unlimited, the buying group for integrators and custom retailers, is proud to announce the addition of two outstanding Dealer Founding Members. Eric Thies, CEO of DSI Entertainment Systems, located in Van Nuys, CA and Will Pisula, General Manager of Encore Audio Video, located in Portland, OR join the team of passionate industry professionals. The Founders serve as the advisory board to the group. The board now consists of five vendor members and four dealer members. The remaining two dealer members will be announced in April.
“We are exhilarated to add these two sentient businessmen to our advisory board,” says Richard Glikes, President. “Eric has a very large and exceptionally well organized business. His leadership skills and experience will be communicated at our free conferences, helping other integrators grow and avoid the natural pitfalls that come with the trade. Will is an extremely bright retailer who has helped transform Encore Audio Video (formerly Northwest Sony Only) into the pre-eminent dealer in the Portland, Oregon market. His past experience with Bang & Olufsen and his innate attention to detail make him an ideal advisory board member. I look forward to Eric and Will’s counsel in helping to shape our dynamic organization.”
Mr. Thies, a large scale custom integrator, and Mr. Pisula, a custom retailer, join fellow dealer board members David Daniels of ESC (Electronics Systems Consultants, LLC) and Mike Thul of Thul Electronics and vendor board members, Andy Oxenhorn of JL Audio, George Walter of Digital Projection, Jason Sloan of Sonance (Dana Innovations), Keith Haas of Integra and Phil McPhee of the Harman Luxury Audio Group.
Eric Thies
DSI Entertainment Systems, under Eric’s leadership, has grown from a small residential installation company specializing in satellite systems to become the largest high-end electronic systems contractor in Southern California and a respected industry leader.
Eric’s first job out of college was with Highland Superstores in Chicago, IL. When Highland went into bankruptcy, Eric made his way West to The Good Guys. While at Good Guys, Eric saw an opportunity ahead with the release of the Digital Satellite System in September 1994. He felt that the DSS had the potential to be the consumer electronics product of the decade and there was an insufficient base of qualified installers to keep up with the demand. Mr. Thies approached Roy Glasner to enter into a partnership and in September 1994, the month that DSS was released, DSI opened its doors.
Being selected as a CEPro Top 100 company since 2000 has put DSI Entertainment Systems in the Top 1% of all Electronic Systems Contractors nationwide. DSI Entertainment Systems has received over fifty national awards for their work including CEA TechHome 2010 Integrator of the Year. This makes DSI the most awarded integration firm in North America
DSI Entertainment Systems has been featured in numerous publications such as the Robb Report, Electronic House, Los Angeles Magazine, Esquire Magazine as well as television networks including HGTV, Fox, A&E, and NBC.
Eric resides in Tarzana, California with this wife Kim and their three young children.
Will Pisula
Will began his career in the consumer electronics industry 18 years ago, and has served the industry in a variety of capacities, including owning his own Residential Integration firm for 8 years where he guided the company to exponential growth. Prior to owning his own firm, Will was instrumental in helping Bang & Olufsen penetrate the MDU market in the United States.
Currently, Will is the General Manager for Encore Audio/Video, an Integration firm in Portland, Oregon. Will’s natural understanding of the current climate of our industry coupled with his forward-thinking approach to creating business has placed Encore Audio/Video as one of the “firms to watch” in the coming years. His proactive, innovative leadership style and youthful enthusiasm will make him a unique voice and an outstanding resource to the members.
More Information
Richard Glikes can be contacted by calling 610-344-7477, or email richard@azionegroup.com