Niles, IL, October 10, 2016—Shure has been recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business as one of the top ten most innovative companies in the Chicago area. Annually the publication’s ‘Eureka! Chicago’s Most Innovative Companies’ list leverages Ocean Tomo, a local merchant bank specializing in intellectual property, to evaluate the uniqueness of patents owned by Illinois companies, as well as other factors such as likelihood a company will invest money to maintain or defend it, or use it in a product. The evaluation produces an index score for each organization, which is averaged across all patents awarded to the company for the year. The full list includes 25 companies with game-changing ideas and high-quality patent portfolios, and is ranked by the quality and uniqueness of the innovation, rather than the patent total.
“This recognition is an honor and particularly meaningful this year, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of our iconic SM58® microphone,” commented Christine Schyvinck, President and Chief Executive Officer at Shure. “For 91 years, our Associates have worked tirelessly to drive innovation and build our position as an audio electronics leader. This recognition is a testament to their hard work and steadfast commitment to manufacture products of unmatched quality, reliability, and durability.”
In keeping with the Company’s long heritage of bringing new products to market, last year Shure launched several new innovations, including the KSM8, the world’s first dual-diaphragm dynamic handheld microphone;KSE1500 Electrostatic Earphone System; the SHA900 Portable Listening Amplifier; and its new plug-and-play microphone line, MOTIV™, with its award-winning MV88 iOS Digital Stereo Condenser Microphone andShurePlus MOTIV™ Mobile Recording App.
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.
