Ep. 9 - Revving Up Innovation: A Conversation with Todd McCandless on A/V Industry Evolution and Opportunities
Always on the Hunt with Leo Golubitsky
Release Date: 03/18/2025
Ep. 22 - The Integrator's Edge: Vin Bruno on Trust, Simplification, and Future-Proofing Your AV Business
Always on the Hunt with Leo Golubitsky
How do you lead global marketing for a giant like Crestron, steer an industry association like CEDIA through massive change, and help build a 65-year-old ESOP company for the future? The answer, according to veteran AV leader Vin Bruno, always comes back to two things: people and simplicity. In this episode of Always On The Hunt, Vin shares his incredible journey from fixing mixers to shaping the AV industry. He opens up about the pivotal lessons learned from working with industry titans, the strategy behind consolidating CEDIA into a global entity, and why the simplest solution is...
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Ep. 21 - Building Premium Sound, Authentic Culture, and a Bohemian Community: Noah Kaplan’s Journey with Leon Speakers
Always on the Hunt with Leo Golubitsky
In this episode of Always on the Hunt, we sit down with Noah Kaplan, the visionary founder of Leon Speakers—a company that has redefined the intersection of art, design, and audio technology. Noah shares his unconventional journey from artist and musician to pioneering entrepreneur, who made the bold move to build high-end speakers in Michigan while his competitors moved overseas. Discover how Leon Speakers blends Bohemian creativity with cutting-edge AV solutions, from custom soundbars to one-of-a-kind trade show booths. Noah dives into the importance of authenticity, the challenges of...
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Ep. 20 - Brandy Alvarado-Miranda: Marketing Superhero, AV Industry Advocate, and Champion for Inclusion
Always on the Hunt with Leo Golubitsky
In this episode of Always on the Hunt, we sit down with Brandy Alvarado- Miranda—founder and CEO of BAM Marketing and PR, co-founder of WAVIT, and former chair of the AVIXA Women’s Council. Brandy shares her incredible journey from the "boring" world of insurance marketing to becoming a powerhouse in the pro-AV and digital signage space. Discover how Brandy’s fearless approach led her to launch her own agency during the pandemic, her passion for mentorship and inclusion, and the founding of WAVIT to empower women in AV. We also dive into the importance of authentic...
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Ep. 19 - Lights, Camera, IoT???: Michael Bailey Smith remarkable journey from Hollywood to IoT
Always on the Hunt with Leo Golubitsky
In this episode of Always on the Hunt, Leo sits down with the multi-talented Michael Bailey Smith, a man who’s lived multiple dreams. He's landed roles in iconic films like A Nightmare on Elm Street and Men in Black 2, and the new Fantastic Four. He's jumped out of planes as an 82nd Airborne Paratrooper. He's played Division I football and chased an NFL career. And he's had a long and successful career in the IoT industry. Michael’s life has been anything but ordinary. Today, Michael is the founder of IoT Powerhouse, where he helps companies achieve massive growth...
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Ep. 18 - Turning the Tables: Leo’s Story, Entrepreneurship, and the Power of People with Randy Blanchard
Always on the Hunt with Leo Golubitsky
In this special episode of Always On The Hunt, Randy Blanchard turns the tables and takes the interviewer’s seat to chat with Leo Golubitsky, founder of Birddog Talent and a longtime leader in the AV industry. From Leo’s early days launching S.M.I.L.E., Inc. (an AV integration company focused on customer experience over tech specs) to his transition into recruiting and launching this very podcast, this conversation dives deep into lessons learned, industry evolution, and the importance of relationships. Plus, Randy and Leo reminisce about their 25-year history in the industry,...
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Ep. 17 - AV at a Crossroads: Trends, Tariffs & Teamwork with Vince Schuster
Always on the Hunt with Leo Golubitsky
This week on Always on the Hunt, Leo sits down with Vince Schuster, Senior Vice President of Sales at Neoti and a well-respected leader in the Pro AV industry. With decades of experience across major and emerging AV brands—including Electrograph, Planar, and more—Vince shares his unique perspective on industry trends, leadership, and the evolving landscape of professional AV. Vince and Leo dive into what made this year’s InfoComm so great, and the re-normalization of an industry rocked by events such as the tariffs and COVID. They also dive into the importance of mentorship and...
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Ep. 16 - The Smooth Factor – Blending AV Expertise, Authenticity & Vibes
Always on the Hunt with Leo Golubitsky
This week on "Always On The Hunt", Leo speaks with Alesia Hendley, Business Development Manager at Sennheiser, Social Media Influencer, blogger, story teller, advocate for diversity in AV, and at her core, a highly capable sound engineer and technician who still knows how to get hands-on and make systems work. In this episode, Alesia unpacks how social media and storytelling are reshaping B2B engagement, proving that even in a hardware-driven industry, personality opens doors. From her InfoComm panel engagements to sneaker meetups, Alicia’s take on "unconventional" paths will make you...
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Ep. 15 - The "Rainmaker": AV Sales Pro Michael Lakhter
Always on the Hunt with Leo Golubitsky
Join us on Always on the Hunt as we sit down with industry veteran Michael Lakhter— a true rainmaker with over 25 years of experience transforming startups into industry leaders and leading industry leaders in Sales, with his powerful outlook and performance. In this insightful episode, Michael shares his journey from humble beginnings in Ukraine to becoming a top sales force in the AV world, revealing the mindset, strategies, and relationship-building secrets that keep him at the top of his game. We discuss the importance of proactive leadership, the power of trust and responsiveness,...
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Ep. 14 - Building Businesses Better in the A/V Space with Matt Bernath
Always on the Hunt with Leo Golubitsky
In this episode of Always on the Hunt, host Leo welcomes special guest Matt Bernath, a powerhouse in the luxury home services industry and president of VITAL. Together, they dive deep into the core challenges and opportunities facing business owners, from team building and company culture to financial mastery and personal leadership. Matt shares his inspiring journey, marked by growth and a passion for impact, showcases his financial expertise, strategic vision, and knack for asking bold questions. Matt shares insights on transforming struggling businesses into thriving, profitable ventures,...
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Ep. 13 - How to Build a Winning Sales Team with Industry Titan: Nick Begleries
Always on the Hunt with Leo Golubitsky
In this week’s episode of Always on the Hunt, we’re thrilled to welcome Nick Begleries, a seasoned expert in the audiovisual (AV) industry with over 20 years of experience. As the VP of Commercial Sales at Philips Professional Display Solutions, Nick has an impressive track record of leading sales teams for top manufacturers, including Planar, Samsung, and NanoLumens. Join Leo and Nick as they delve into the changing landscape of the AV industry, discuss effective sales strategies for both channel and distribution, and share insights on what it takes to succeed in a competitive...
info_outlineIn this episode of Always on the Hunt, we welcome Todd McCandless, a global product sales and marketing leader with a wealth of experience from launching an integration firm to pivotal leadership roles in one of the largest A/V manufacturers. Todd shares captivating insights from his remarkable journey, including the launch and acquisition of his own integration firm, his tenure at Barco, and his passion for Formula One racing, which he's turned into the number one independent F1 podcast: The Parc Fermé F1 Podcast
Join Leo and Todd as they delve into the world of audio/visual technology, exploring the current and future landscape of A/V innovation. Learn how Todd harnessed storytelling as a marketing tool to drive product adoption and connect with audiences authentically. Discover the imperative need for the A/V industry to embrace AI and innovation, and why integrators hold the key to shaping the future of technology.
Whether you're an integrator, manufacturer, or just a technology enthusiast, Todd's perspective on the integration of AI and the importance of understanding customer workflows will inspire you to think differently about the future of AV.
Connect with Todd:
Linkedin
The Parc Fermé F1 Podcast
Are you on the Hunt? Visit birddogtalent.com