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One of a handful of TLS ,Inc. employees whose college and work background is firmly rooted in theatre is Bryan Comer , Project Manager in Sales. Bryan obtained his BFA at the University of Montevallo (AL) and went “home” to Atlanta to work as a Crew Chief for the Alliance Theatre and later Tech Director for Westminster Schools. Many may remember Bryan as a Rental Project Manager here from 2002 to 2005. In his year's absence, he was the Director of Theatre at Lee High school , and still works closely with the schools in the area .
Since Bryan has many years of experience in lighting for theatre, his knowledge in this area often benefits his customers who come to him with “How do I . . .?” Bryan 's strong points stem from his background in educational lighting and professional training. His continued work with local community theatre groups keeps him working in the field and using the equipment he sells. He has won local community theatre awards for his work in technical theatre.
Bryan , father of Jack, often finds himself on the ball field .. . or soccer field…or basketball court. Known in the shop for his amazing homemade fudge, Bryan won Best Damn Dessert We Ever Tasted in 1997 from the Woodruff Arts Center Cook-Off. |
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Doug Bennett describes his former job with Kansas as “the job the lighting guys dreamed of". Touring for four years as the guitar and keyboard tech, Doug says the job was cushy compared to what the lighting guys had to do. These days, Doug is one of TLS.Inc's long time employees and one of the senior Project Managers in Sales.
As Project Manager, Doug finds interest in doing jobs that often involve facilities or buildings that have deep historical or interesting architectural elements. Recently, Doug assisted an electrical engineer to come up with a complete lighting system for a log gymnasium built in 1937 on the campus of the Kate Duncan Smith DAR School in Grant , AL. He also project managed and system designed for the renovation of the Pasttime Theater in Winfield, AL. Other projects include system designs for The Church at Brook Hills, Birmingham, AL; Lee Greenwood Theater in Tennessee ; and a new performing arts center,The Renaissance Center, on the campus of Southern Union Community College in Wadley, AL . Currently, he's working on the beginnings of the renovation of the Alamo Theater in Jackson, MS.
Doug periodically designs lighting for area community theatre groups and can often be heard talking about his latest backpacking adventure. However, his passion is traditional, darkroom-based B&W photography, working mostly with medium format cameras. Yes, he knows you can “do that with digital now,” but he'd rather not. (Smile)
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If it's a job at TLS,Inc., Greg Brock has done it. Currently Sales Manager, Greg started out 13 years ago as one of the Service Techs. He soon became crew chief on several tours and prior to his current position, he was the manager of the Repair/Install department. With Greg, the question is always “What's next?”
Greg's all-around abilities have given him a list of projects to be proud of. Installs include the Alys Stephens Center at UAB and the Church at Brook Hills, both in Birmingham, AL . His touring and one-offs encompass more than five years – covering Vancouver , Canada to Stockholm , Sweden - with diverse jobs ranging from show tech to crew chief and LD. On the technician side, Greg holds certifications for ETC, High End and CM Motors.
As the father of three girls, Greg coaches fast pitch softball, and is a Sunday school teacher and youth leader/drama instructor at First Baptist New Hope, AL. |
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J. Andy Flatt started off in the lighting business in 1987 as a high school student looking for a part time job. In the 20 years that have passed between then and now, Andy has done everything from touring to moving light programming; and for the past several years, systems design & sales. Andy holds field service certifications from Electronic Theatre Controls, Entertainment Technology, and Strand Lighting. He is also a full member of the Illumination Engineering Society of North America.
When not at work, Andy can be found at home with his wife and “family” – 2 Border Collies and 2 cats. He is also a youth worker at Woodmont Hills Church of Christ in Nashville, Tenn. |
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The guy in the Colorado Rockies sweatshirt will most likely be Project Manager in Production, John Messina aka “Checkers”. With 30 years in the entertainment business, John has nearly run the gamut of occupations. He has worked as a tech, production manager (Fairmont Hotel, Denver CO and San Jose, CA), stage manager, tour manager (Highway 101), and event coordinator (Montgomery Civic Center, Montgomery, AL).
With a past like John 's, there is little limit on his abilities. His work at TLS,Inc. includes Account Executive to such acts as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Third Day, Hank Williams Jr., and Lee Greenwood. A sampling of his production management ranges from banquets to outdoor festivals and consist of such events as the biennial Alabama Music Hall of Fame Induction Banquet; Big Spring Jam, a 3-day outdoor music festival held annually in downtown Huntsville, AL; the Whistle Stop Festival & Rocket City BBQ, a state BBQ Championship event; and the Howell Heflin Awards Gala. |
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From 1974 til 1980 TLS,Inc. President, David Milly was part owner and stockholder of Luna Tech, Inc. – a world known pyrotechnics company. While there, he claims his two memorable achievements were doing pyro for a little band called KISS, and teaching the Jackson 5 (including Michael Jackson ) how to shoot pyro out of their hand.
In 1981 David bought out the lighting division of Luna Tech, Inc. and formed Theatrical Lighting Systems, Inc.(TLS,Inc.). In the near quarter century that TLS,Inc. has been in operation, David has watched the company grow from a handful of folks in a little building on Church St. to nearly 40 employees in a 60,000 sq ft facility on one of the main thoroughfares in Huntsville . In 1993, TLS,Inc. won Huntsville /Madison County Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year ; and in 2001 won ESTA Manufacturer's Choice Dealer of the Year . David holds membership in many nationwide professional groups including the Gospel Music Association, ESTA, Country Music Association, and locally is a member of the Better Business Bureau and the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce.
David considers himself a student of golf and attends class regularly. He runs in local marathons and in 2004 participated in a Ultra Marathon (50km). Around the shop David is known as “The Repo Man” - ask him to tell you that story! |
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Shannon Scott, Project Manager in Rentals and Services, has been with us since 1997.
Prior to becoming a PM, Shannon toured with Hank, Jr. and did some various one-offs. He also worked in residential lighting sales and service. He is a certified High End tech and is also CM certified. Shannon 's strong suit as a PM is being able to design on a budget. He counts as one of his favorite things his lighting designs for the annual Georgia Baptist Convention. One of Shannon's current projects is PM for the Brad Paisley Tours.
Shannon spent spends his free time traveling with, and managing his son's band Ifasen. |
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Rusty Scafidel has served as project manager at TLS ,Inc. since 2003 in our Jackson, Mississippi office. He has managed such projects as the Grand Opera House in Meridian, Mississippi; First Assembly of God in Monroe, Louisiana; Aven Hall at Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi; Vicksburg Theatre Guild in Vicksburg, Mississippi; and Morrison Heights Baptist in Clinton, Mississippi .
Before coming to TLS ,Inc. Rusty served as Director/Executive Director of Technology for Jackson Public Schools in Jackson, Mississippi for twenty years, and Television and Production Lighting Designer for First Baptist Church in Jackson for over twenty years. Rusty has been involved with production lighting since high school and received a Stagecraft Scholarship to attend Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi. Rusty has experience lighting college, high school, and dance productions as well as church productions. He enjoys serving the people of Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and surrounding states. |
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Lindsay Wallace is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) with a degree in Mass Communications- Advertising and Journalism. While at MTSU, she minored in theatre and is no stranger to the stage. As a dancer and performer for most of her life, she loves to perform and work in theatre. She hopes that her degree will be helpful in her job as Inside Sales person here at TLS Inc.
Lindsay moved to Mt. Juliet, TN in 1999 but spent the first part of her life in Denver, CO and is still very loyal to Colorado. She is a huge Denver Broncos fan and goes skiing every chance she gets. She is an assistant youth leader at First Baptist Church Mt. Juliet. In her spare time, she loves to hang out with her friends, go to the movies, and playing pool.
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