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Four Polycom Federal Government Customers Honored for Their Innovative Use of Video Collaboration to Train and Educate Soldiers, Medical Professionals
Posted on Monday, August 19, 2013
Four Polycom Federal Government Customers Honored for Their Innovative Use of Video Collaboration to Train and Educate Soldiers, Medical Professionals
  • 2013 Federal Government Distance Learning Association Awards acknowledge departments of the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force and Smithsonian Institute for using video collaboration to accelerate distance learning 
  • Polycom U.S. Federal Government Market Director Russ Colbert inducted into Federal Government Distance Learning Association Hall of Fame
WASHINGTON INTERACTIVE LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES CONFERENCE, RESTON, Va. - Aug 19, 2013: Polycom, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLCM), the global leader in open, standards-based unified communications and collaboration (UC&C), today announced that four federal government customers have been honored for their innovative approach to distance learning, including  the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (U.S. Army), Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African Art, and the U.S. Air Force’s Air Technology Network.
 
At its annual awards ceremony last night, the Federal Government Distance Learning Association acknowledged individuals and organizations who have used Polycom® RealPresence® video solutions to more effectively train American soldiers and airmen, to deliver ongoing education for medical personnel serving the U.S. Army in Europe, and to provide global access to the Smithsonian Institution’s vast collection of African art. The association also inducted Russ Colbert, Polycom’s U.S. Government market director, into its Hall of Fame.
 
Two Polycom customers received organizational awards:
  • U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Army Training Support Center, Infrastructure Office, Education Support Division. This U.S. Army organization won a Five-Star Award for its Enterprise Classroom Project: Classroom XXI. The program blends face-to-face video collaboration with other advanced technologies to create a digital classroom environment designed to prepare the next generation of soldiers, leaders, and civilians by connecting them with instructors from more than 32 Army schools. The Five-Star Award honors programs that demonstrate excellence in enterprise-wide distance learning. 
  • Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. As headquarters for the U.S. Army’s European Regional Medical Command, Landstuhl provides primary and specialty care for 85,000 military personnel and their families from a comprehensive medical facility in Germany. Through ongoing training conducted over Polycom video collaboration solutions, Landstuhl extends it medical expertise to personnel stationed at 17 Army and Military treatment facilities in Germany, Italy, and Belgium.  Landstuhl was recognized for its life-saving application of distance learning with a Five-Star Award.
Two customers received individual awards:
  • Deborah Stokes, curator for education at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African Art. Under her direction, the museum helps augment art curriculum for budget-strapped schools across the United States and the world by providing interactive and real-time video classes, briefings and tours – all at no charge to schools. Stokes earned the Pioneer Award, which annually recognizes an individual who demonstrates initiative and leadership in the field of distance learning within the federal government.
  • Dr. Philip Westfall, director of the Air Technology Network at Air University, Department of the Air Force. Westfall received an Eagle Award for two decades of leadership, vision, and advocacy of distance learning at the federal level. Before he launched the Air Technology Network, which connects more than 350 Air Force sites, he established the Government Education and Training Network, which began with a single site in 1992 and now delivers interactive, video-based distance learning to several federal agencies. The cost-effective distance learning networks launched by Westfall have saved taxpayers millions of dollars.
In admitting Polycom’s Russ Colbert to its Hall of Fame, the Federal Government Distance Learning Association recognized Colbert’s long and distinguished career in support of distance learning. A former U.S. Navy Surface Warfare officer, Colbert established and managed the Navy’s Electronic Schoolhouse Network, and oversaw an expansion of video teleconference-based distance learning from five to 22 locations. Colbert also established the first successful shore-to-ship video training connection and course of instruction in naval history. He went on to assist dozens of government agencies at all levels in various capacities as a consultant and distance education manager.  
 
“What an honor it is for Polycom to work with such distinguished pioneers of distance learning in the federal government,” said Colbert. “These individuals and organizations serve to protect, preserve, and enhance the American way of life, and we’re proud to play a part in the important work they do.”
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Douglas Fearing- Co-Founder / President

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.

Lois Fearing- Co-Founder/Accounting, Human Resources

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 Tresner-VP of Technology and Innovation

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.

Ben Voeck-Director of Commercial AV

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 Matson-Senior VP of Sales

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.