River City Six: Travis Stutzman
Echo Systems (echosystemsmidwest.com) is the premier residential and commercial automation division of Echo Group, Inc., a company with roots in Omaha dating back more than 60 years. Travis Stutzman is a Sales Consultant at Echo Systems.
Tell us a little about your business. – Echo Systems’ primary focus is as a design-build technology firm focusing on shading solutions, A/V technologies and security solutions. Our niche in the industry allows us to provide the highest quality solutions for our clients’ technology needs. Our clients can immerse themselves in the possibilities that our solutions can provide by taking a guided tour through our one-of-a-kind Experience Center, where they are actually able to see, hear and touch everything. We also provide the industry’s most experienced talent to design, deploy, manage and support A/V systems.
How did you get started in the business? – Growing up, I was obsessed with figuring out how things worked and would essentially reverse engineer them. As I entered my adult years, my focus was more towards electronics. After initially pursuing a degree in Architectural Engineering, I realized that my true calling was technology. I then fulfilled my calling by obtaining my degree in Computers and Electronics Engineering. During this pursuit I began my career in the engineering and manufacturing of electronic components. This led to the natural progression of commercial AV integration and I was instantly hooked. Over twenty years later I am continuing to learn and constantly evolving along with the technology that we embrace. Echo Systems allows me to look consistently outside the box and customize the best solution for our clients.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – “The race to zero.” Some of you may have heard of this term. With the rise of online shopping, companies responded to the demands clients placed onto them for lower prices by cutting margins and reducing the overall quality of the provided systems and/or services offered to their clients. I’m continually educating clients on these risks and as to why, as the premier choice, we are able to provide service and solutions that set us apart from the pack. Although we are not the most inexpensive technology partner, we are always looking out for their best interests and provide a prominent value.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Both Echo Systems and I are passionate about the importance of continuing education. I have obtained many certifications throughout my career in commercial A/V and most recently, obtained my CTS (Certified Technical Specialist) Certification, one of three highly coveted certifications offered by infoComm International. I have the remaining two certifications, CTS-I (Installation) and CTS-D (Design), set as goals in the very near future. There are very few individuals that hold all three certifications in the US. It is also very important to me to show my children that one must never stop learning and setting goals.
Tell us a little about your family. – I am very blessed to be married to the love of my life. My wife Mary and I have been married for 1 ½ years. Together, we have five wonderful children: Lily, Bella, Bryce, Jack and Grace. Never a dull moment, but we’re greatly blessed and wouldn’t have it any other way.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – My hobby is that of an aquarist. I really enjoy the combination of simplicity and complexity. I have multiple aquariums, including fresh water and mixed-reef coral fish tanks (saltwater). I’m currently planning and designing my next tank, which is a 225-gallon mixed reef salt water aquarium.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – Call (402) 670-5684, email tstutzman@echosystemsmidwest.com or visit echosystemsmidwest.com.
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