“The client is fully technology oriented and wanted a meeting room with many connection capabilities, including HD video, videoconference and local presentations features,” according to Juan Carlos Herrera. Herrera is the owner and project manager for Control Central, an AV contractor and automation company located in Santiago. “The original room had been set up for videoconferencing, but with a single TV monitor installed on the wall. There were cables everywhere, poor light, and no automation.”
Control Central proposed some big changes to the space, which is the main meeting room for the Banco do Brasil’s Santiago operation, and the main videoconferencing hub with the bank’s main office in Brazil and regional offices throughout South America.
“The room has two big windows at both sides. In one side there is the projection screen that descends when it is needed,” according to Herrera. “On the other side, the client told us that they wanted two big monitors hanging from the ceiling with the codec/camera below one of them. That was the easiest solution, but the result would be horrible. The window and the natural light would be obscured by those big TVs, forever!”
Control Central’s proposal called for a significant technology upgrade, including HD projection and a big projection screen, as well as a new videoconferencing system. It also offered a different vision for the two TV monitors. Herrera proposed hiding the monitors when not in use, and lifting them out of a cabinet for videoconferencing.
“The main thing is that when you enter the room, nothing comes to the eye,” Herrera explains. “It would seem a norma meeting room with no technology at all because all the devices are hidden: projection screen, projector, videoconferencing monitors, camera and codec.”
To come up with a way to bring his vision to life, Herrera turned to Draper, Inc. Although mostly know for its projection screens and window shades, Draper also designs and provides custom motorized solutions for lifting and moving AV equipment such as flat panels.
“What I remember most about this job is the fact that, as it was very custom, it involved a number of redraws to get it just right,” according to Nate LaMar, Draper’s Regional Sales Manager for Latin America, as well as the Middle East, Africa, and Central and South Asia. “Banco do Brasil was a very discerning customer but in the end our custom capabilities delivered a solution that everyone was very happy with.”
“When we proposed a lift, the client thought that it could be a terrible solution with a mechanism moving and making noise,” according to Herrera, “so our goal was to find a very reliable mechanism that would be silent and able to do the job for many years.”
Herrera worked with the architect on the project to have a piece of custom furniture designed to hide the lift and allow it to fit in with the room design. He says the end result leaves the window view clean when the monitors are not in use, just as he had hoped.
Project a Big Success
“That is a big success. The room has two windows with natural light entering the room during the day. They lower the motorized blinds when using the videoconferencing equipment,” he says. “It is working perfectly and is very quiet. The noise was a big concern before the lift arrived but the client is very happy with the result, and so are we.”
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
