Mary Brewer established Brewer Insurance Information Services (BIIS) in 1981 after recognizing that interested individuals in South Carolina needed a resource for learning about the industry. BIIS has six locations throughout South Carolina and is headquartered within the Dutch Center in Columbia, a busy shopping center with commercial office space.
BIIS’ office suite features presentation space, open workstations, and private offices, separated by modular walls built up to the acoustical tile ceiling. Both employees and students have mentioned being distracted by overheard conversations from adjoining spaces such as the surrounding offices and retail outlets.
SOLUTION
Due to the variety of spaces within BIIS, a multi-zone sound masking solution was needed to meet the acoustic requirements. Additionally, staff needed the ability to access the sound masking settings easily to adjust levels during presentations and events.
A Qt® 600 sound masking system was installed in the suite with emitters placed in the acoustic ceiling tiles throughout. The system was mounted in the BIIS server equipment rack and connected to the school’s local area network.
CONCLUSION
“[The Qt 600] has solved our problem,” says Frank Seeby, Facility Manager at BIIS. Employees have reported a quieter and more productive workspace. As Mr. Seeby explains, “The various levels of masking in each area are very beneficial. The end result is the noise that was bleeding from room to room is now almost completely unnoticeable. Any voices that do make it into the room are unrecognizable as they are very faint.”
The Qt 600 sound masking system is easily controlled using the system’s monitoring and control software should the BIIS team need to adjust settings for presentations and events. “The software is easy to use and helps us adjust the masking level easily for presentations,” Mr. Seeby said.
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.
