Advancing campus technology
At the start of this project, University of Montana Chief Information Officer Zach Rossmiller tasked Director of Infrastructure Scott Holgate and a team of classroom technology experts with finding visual technology solutions for these often-used spaces. Knowing the rooms were used for new student orientations and recruiting events as well as instruction, the team wanted to ensure the technology would provide a degree of ‘wow factor’ along with function. After reviewing different technologies, they settled on seamless LED video walls from Planar. Compared with the projection equipment that previously served the rooms, the Planar TVF Series LED video walls provide abundant and clear visibility from all vantage points in the lecture halls, according to Holgate. “You can easily view them from any angle and the video walls are bright throughout,” he said. “It’s a tremendous improvement over what we had before. And being a seamless technology, the video walls do not have any lines that might interfere with a spreadsheet or other presentation materials.” After installing the video walls, Silver Stream Audio Visual came back on another service contract to help set up control equipment and cameras, which, combined with the Planar TVF Series LED video walls, allows the university to embrace a more hybrid type of learning environment, said Desireh Kissinger, senior AV support consultant with Silver Stream Audio Visual.
“They can now better cater to remote participants and students who can make it to class,” Kissinger said. “The technology upgrades were critical for bringing those rooms into the 21st century. The video walls look impressive in the spaces, and they provide more flexible options for the university and the students.” In addition to presentations, recruiting, class lectures and other academic activities, the university is planning to use the halls and the new LED video walls to host different kinds of events. “We want to have movie nights, sports watching parties and similar uses that we haven’t yet had an opportunity to explore,” Holgate said. “Our events people also have the ability to lease the spaces to outside organizations, which could provide a revenue source to help us maintain the equipment.” In every way, Holgate said the university is very impressed with the Planar video walls. “The durability of the product is fantastic. It’s clear that a lot of great care has been taken into the design and engineering—the displays are simple to use and maintain. From a facility standpoint, when we have 250 classrooms to take care of, not adding complexity and something that’s hard to manage is a huge advantage.”
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.
