When Covid struck in the beginning of 2020 De Sprong was in the middle of integrating Office 365 in the classroom for teachers, students and their parents to use. “We wanted the roll-out to be finished by October”, says Enrico Marti, a grade 4 teacher, “but suddenly, we had to get it done by March.”
Enrico sought help from Microsoft and was advised to integrate Microsoft Teams together with Office 365. Jabra made the perfect hardware to bring the classroom to kids at home.
Jabra’s PanaCast was the perfect tool for the job Fully Microsoft Teams-certified, the 180-degree coverage provided by the camera ensures the entire classroom, including the digital whiteboard could be broadcast. The PanaCast camera was complemented by the Speak 750 to capture clear audio throughout the room.
Flexibility was key
Sometimes, parts of the class were attending lessons from home, while others were on site. For these occasions, the Jabra PanaCast camera was set up to capture both the children present, the teacher and the digiboard.
Other times, when it was ‘just’ the teacher in the classroom, De Sprong wanted to record the teacher and the digiboard. Enrico: “That’s why quick adaptability was key for our user demands.” Jabra delivered, he says. “The PanaCast and Speak are small, and easy to install and use because of their plug and play nature. Everything is fully certified for use with MS Teams, so all of our teachers can start teaching in an instance.”
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.
