The Dealer Advisory Council
The Edge Dealer Advisory Council (DAC) is a group of elected integration leaders who advise Edge on programs, strategies, and initiatives. These individuals have a great depth of experience and knowledge and are an essential component of the Edge team.
Dennis Schliske
DAC Chairperson
CEO
VICom
Dennis Schliske is the CEO and Co-Founder of Virginia Integrated Communication (VICOM) which was incorporated on August 17, 2001. In 1974 Dennis received his Masters in Business Administration Degree with an emphasis in accounting. After College, he became an educator, administrator and athletic coach in various High Schools and Jr Colleges. He coached baseball for over 25 years and basketball for over 10 years. Dennis has over 33 years of experience within the Audio/Visual Industry as well as other experience within the UCC, Data, Networking and Security industries. VICom’s Corporate Headquarters is in Virginia Beach, VA with one Branch Office in Richmond, Virginia and became an Edge Partner in 2007. On a personal level, Dennis has been married to his wife Connie for over 51 years, had 5 children and has 9 grandchildren. He enjoys attending his grandkids’ various activities, spending time in his Florida home and likes to play golf in his spare time.
Brent Berger
Partner
Bridges System Integration
Brent Berger is a Partner at Bridges Systems Integration and is an innovative business strategist and sales leader who combines more than 10 years’ experience providing audio visual system consultation and contract negotiations, new business development, and system integration management to lead start-up, turnaround and high-growth organizations through explosive market growth and unprecedented profitability. With competencies that span both strategic and tactical planning, he’s been instrumental in building and leading cohesive teams, evaluating market trends, analyzing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to develop strategy, as well as formulating sales and marketing plans to propel organizations to the next level of success.
As an entrepreneur, Mr. Berger is a forward-thinking visionary with an ability to successfully balance the risks of continual change and innovation through disciplined implementation. He leverages this experience during the successful launch and management of Bridges System Integration in Herndon, VA. Mr. Berger has a proven track record as a change agent capable of turning around corporations with sales problems and earnings shortfalls in a short period of time. With Infra-structures Inc. in Brentwood, NY, Mr. Berger was charged by the organization to facilitate the opening of new Washington, DC location in Arlington, VA.
As Systems Integration Manager at Connecting Point Multimedia in Arlington, VA, Mr. Berger was a key contributor to bottom-line profitability that captured the first $100K sale, followed by successive sales that set new records for the organization. Brent was stellar during the launch of campaigns that led to 80% of all clients in 2003 purchasing new systems or upgrading previous systems. Mr. Berger has completed various training and certification courses that have included InfoComm International (CTS), Systems Design School (ICIA), Facilities Design School (ICIA), Video Conferencing Facilities Design, Extron Advanced School of Audiovisual Technologies, Tandberg Training, and AMX NetLinx Design.
Jim Scheer
President, Technology
Color Art
Jim Scheer attended the University of Central Missouri and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. After several years of managing hotels and restaurants, Jim made a career change and hasn’t looked back. Jim has now been in the audiovisual integration business for 23 years. Jim started in the industry, in 1997, working for a Texas based integrator, helping open up offices in St. Louis, MO and Boise, ID. In 2001, Jim partnered with a former client, Color Art Integrated Interiors, to form Innovative Technology Group…Now known as Color Art Technology. Color Art Technology became one of the first technology companies, in the country, to partner with a Steelcase dealer. Color Art now has very diverse offerings of Commercial Furniture, General Contracting and Construction, Technology, Move Mgmt, Commercial Artwork, Service, and Sports/Large Venue FFE Procurement. Jim’s primary focus is the strategic vision of the company with a heavy emphasis on the customer experience through services.
Debbie Williamson
Co-Owner/President
Tempest Technologies, LLC
Debbie Williamson is co-owner and President of Tempest Technologies LLC, a Pacific Northwest based audio-visual systems integration firm. Debbie’s career in the AV industry began nearly 30 years ago in operations, but as her interest in technology grew, Debbie gravitated to the solutions-based systems sales side of the business. As Executive Account Manager, Debbie developed a passion for consultive partnering, building trusted and lasting relationships with some of the nation’s top tech and enterprise clients, as well as with her business associates. In 2003 she leveraged those relationships and seized on the opportunity to join forces with three other industry veterans to create Tempest Technologies. Today, as General Manager of the organization, Debbie draws on her leadership and management experience to focus on team member and client development, on maximizing organizational growth and profitability, and on her commitment to giving back to the community. For the past 3 years, Debbie has served as Co-Chair of the PNW Chapter of the AVIXA Women’s Council. In her free time, you will find her enjoying life with family and friends, traveling, hiking, flyfishing, camping, reading, cooking, and going to concerts.
