Expert Industry Professional Judges
Each installation category is judged by a panel comprising of expert industry professionals. The judges are looking for outstanding design and integration within all the categories. As well as the need to be integrated and beautifully concealed with the interior, important factors include imaginative and appropriate design and use of technology, safe and tidy racks as well as a bit of ‘WOW’ factor.
The panel is made up of prestigious and influential individuals. Three judges for the 2011 CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles® Awards have been revealed. These three international judges are Utz Baldwin, Ken Urdmann and Robert Hallam. Please find the bio’s below:
Utz Baldwin
CEO, CEDIA America
Utz’s primary focus as the CEO of CEDIA is to foster relationships with other associations and industries, speaking on behalf of the organization and industry, and guiding external communications based on the needs of CEDIA members. His career spans more than 20 years in the consumer electronics industry with the majority of time spent in the custom installation field. A member of CEDIA’s Board of Directors from 2003-2008 and past Chairman, Baldwin has long been engaged in the association’s efforts to create opportunity for its members. In his role as CEDIA Chairman, Baldwin was responsible for the overall success of carrying out the strategic plan that guides the association and the Board of Directors. He has spearheaded many CEDIA initiatives, ranging from authoring education content and speaking on behalf of the association in both interviews and keynote speaking opportunities to actively participating at industry-related tradeshows on behalf of CEDIA. As past chairman of CEDIA’s inaugural Electronic Lifestyles® Forum and developer of the Registered Outreach Instructor program, he has demonstrated a vested interest in reaching out to the home design and construction industries and their supporting associations. He has also been at the forefront of CEDIA’s global endeavors, serving on the Board of Directors for Integrated Systems Europe and delivering education in Latin America. He has presented to NAHB, ASID, AIBD, and at events such as CEDIA EXPO, and EHX.
Ken Erdmann
Erdman Electric Inc.
Ken Erdmann is co-founder and president of the Erdmann Electric, Inc., an electronic systems and electrical contracting company. He has been a Utah State licensed electrician since 1978. Additionally he holds the Installer and Designer certifications from CEDIA. An adjunct faculty member of Utah Valley State College since 1992 Ken serves as an instructor in Electrical Automation and Robotic Technologies. Ken is also a member of the electrical section of the National Fire Protection Agency, (NFPA). A member of CEDIA since 1993, Ken served on the Bylaws committee in 1994 and the original Home Theater Council. Ken has been actively involved with CEDIA in many volunteer positions. In 2003 he was honored as the Designer/Installer Volunteer of the Year and has been selected as a Top Ten Instructor three times. Ken is a member of the CEDIA Board of Directors currently serving as CEDIA’s Past Chairman. Ken served as the Chair of the Education Council and has overseen the building of the core curriculum for CEDIA University and has participated as a Subject Matter Expert for the Installer certification exam and the Designer certification exam and review.
Robert Hallam
Chair, CEDIA Region 1
Robert has been involved in the electronics industry for almost 3 decades – from being involved in the launch of Virgin Retail’s first non-UK store, setting up Ireland’s first Sony Centre franchise, to setting up Ireland’s first CEDIA member installation company in 1998. The last decade has been focussed in developing the market for professional installation services wrapped around the emerging market for integrated technology in the Home. As CEO of Incontrol Home Automation, Robert has been driving the market for value-added technology solutions for the Private Client and the Residential Developer markets. Robert has served in a number of capacities on the Board of CEDIA, and is the current Chair for CEDIA Region 1.
