OMAHA, NE - Richard Lund has joined the Strong team as Western regional sales manager. With more than 25 years of experience in the entertainment and LED lighting industry, Lund most recently served as Western regional sales manager for Philips Entertainment. Prior to this, Lund worked for Color Kinetics as regional manager. He serves on the board of managers for the Illuminating Engineering Society.

SEATAC, WA — Industry veteran Bill Floyd has joined Advanced Broadcast Solutions (ABS) as an inside sales manager. Prior to joining the professional video and audio systems firm, Floyd spent more than 20 years in sales at Professional Video and Tape near Portland, OR.

LOS ANGELES — Chuck Davies, founder and CEO of the ADJ Group, announced that Toby Velazquez has been named president of ADJ, Elation and Acclaim Lighting. Velazquez, who joined the company shortly after it was started in 1985, has served the ADJ Group in a wide variety of capacities and has made critical contributions to its growth from a small business serving the mobile DJ market to an international leader in the lighting industry.

WUPPERTAL, Germany —Riedel Communications opened a new office in Hilversum, Netherlands (near Amsterdam), which will serve the Belgium/Netherlands/Luxembourg markets (Benelux). Riedel has also opened a new office in South Sydney, Australia.

BRISTOL, UK - The Lighting Hospital - an independent electronic service department for the professional lighting industry - has recently moved to new expanded premises in Bristol. This has enabled further streamlining of its processes to offer an even faster and slicker service for damaged lighting gear needing emergency treatment. Industry engineer Dik Welland launched the company in 2009.

LUTON, UK - In partnership since 1970,  the  founding directors and shareholders of Optikinetics Ltd, have recently passed ownership of this world renowned UK manufacturer to an individual, marketing specialist Rob Stitcher. His background includes working at large advertising agencies in New York, including a five-year stint at Grey Group. Rice and Brunker will continue to serve OPTI as consultants to ensure a smooth transition and customer continuity.

LONDON - Stage Electrics has announced a management buyout of the business from the estate of David Whitehead.  Under the new ownership structure Trevor Smallwood will continue as chairman of the board and the executive directors of Stage Electrics will remain unchanged. The new shareholders include industry veterans Trevor Smallwood, Dan Aldridge, Bob Smith, James Irvine, Anna Western, Adam Blaxill, Adrian Searle and Ian Tregaskis.

NASHVILLE – Bandit Lites has promoted Jake Tickle to director of technical services. He will oversee support for road staff, research and development, training and repairs. Tickle joined the Bandit family in 2006 and was promoted to tech service manager in 2007.

FT. LAUDERDALE - ARRI Inc. has promoted Jeffrey A. Reyes to director of sales, Latin American Markets. Reyes previously served as a technical sales representative at ARRI, working closely with rental houses and customers for lighting and camera products.

AARHUS, Denmark - Industry professional Matt Hallard has joined the Martin Professional EMEA sales organization as business area manager, Rental. Hallard worked as production manager for P&O Cruises Worldwide, as regional sales manager at PRG Distribution and most recently for Philips Vari-Lite as European sales manager.