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Birddog Talent

Birddog Talent
What does it take to become one of the AV industry's most trusted voices? In this episode of Always on the Hunt, Leo sits down with Joel Carroll, one of the AV industry's most respected educators, trainers, and sales leaders. Through leadership roles at Extron, Atlona, WolfVision, and Mersive, Joel has built a reputation for helping customers, integrators, consultants, and end users simplify complex technology, build trust, and create lasting business relationships. Joel shares how his journey from technical theater to training and eventually sales taught him that success isn't about having the perfect pitch, it's about listening, simplifying complexity, building trust, and investing in relationships long before asking for the business. Leo and Joel discuss: 🤝 Why trusted advisors consistently outperform hard sellers 🎯 How to simplify complex technology without losing credibility 👂 Why listening is the most underrated sales skill 💡 Adapting your communication style to every audience 📚 How education builds trust and drives long-term success 🚀 Transitioning from technical roles into sales ❤️ Why relationships, not products, are the real competitive advantage 👥 Building a career through community, mentorship, and authenticity ⚖️ The importance of work-life balance and knowing when to unplug Whether you're in sales, leadership, engineering, or just looking to build stronger professional relationships, this conversation is filled with practical lessons that extend far beyond the AV industry.

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Episode 29 - The Trusted Advisor: Joel Carroll on How Relationships Win More Than The Hard Sell

July 31, 2026 1:34 pm

Episode 28 - The Executive Mindset: Shaun Schuetz on Leadership & Building Systems That Win Across Any Channel What does it take to lead successfully across different industries, countries, and business models? In this episode of Always on the Hunt, Leo sits down with Shaun Schuetz, whose career has taken him from the sales floor at Best Buy and Magnolia to executive leadership roles at AudioQuest, Harman, and some of the industry's most respected brands. Along the way, Shaun lived and worked in Taiwan, led global business initiatives, and learned that while markets and channels may change, great leadership principles do not. 💡 In this episode, Leo and Shaun discuss: 🧠 How executives think differently than managers 🤝 Why relationships remain your greatest competitive advantage 🌏 Leadership lessons from living and working around the world 🌱 Developing people and building high-performing teams 💬 Why feedback, curiosity, and continuous learning drive long-term success 🏆 Most importantly, they explore why the best leaders don't rely on a great product, a hot market, or the right channel, they build systems, processes, and cultures that consistently win, no matter the environment. Whether you're an executive, manager, business owner, or someone looking to grow your career, this conversation is packed with practical leadership insights that apply far beyond the A/V industry.

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Episode 28 - The Executive Mindset: Shaun Schuetz on Leadership & Building Systems That Win

July 7, 2026 8:12 pm

Episode 27 – Stacking Days: Sal Amato on Discipline, Relationships & Success What creates long-term success, talent, motivation, or discipline? In this episode of Always on the Hunt, Leo sits down with industry veteran Sal Amato, whose career spans Toshiba, Samsung, Sanyo, Panasonic, Barco, Kramer, and now Optoma, for a conversation on relationships, leadership, and the power of stacking days. Sal shares the story behind his 2,000+ day streak of walking at least five miles every day, his personal 30 calls/day rule, and how small actions repeated consistently can transform your health, career, and life. ✔ Walking 5+ miles for 2,000 consecutive days ✔ The 30 calls/day relationship-building rule ✔ Discipline vs. motivation ✔ Leadership and team-building lessons ✔ Career growth and mentorship ✔ InfoComm and A/V industry trends ✔ Advice for young professionals Success isn’t built in a day. It’s built by stacking days. Connect with Leo and Sal: Sal Amato: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sal-amato-6780384/ Leo Golubitsky: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leogolubitsky/ Are You on the Hunt? Visit: https://birddogtalent.com/ #AVTweeps #AVJobs #ProAV #AVIndustry #InfoComm #AlwaysOnTheHunt

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Episode 27 – Stacking Days: Sal Amato on Discipline, Relationships & Success

May 25, 2026 7:41 pm

How do you build not just one successful business—but multiple $100M+ businesses in the A/V industry? In this episode of Always on the Hunt, Leo sits down with industry veteran, SCN Hall of Fame member, Commercial Integrator A/V Living Legend, and AVIP founder Sam Malik for a conversation on leadership, growth, scaling teams, and building businesses that last. Drawing from leadership roles at Toshiba, Sanyo, Vivitek, Optoma, Maxhub, and more, Sam shares lessons on profitability, hiring, culture, and what it really takes to scale organizations. ✔ Building multiple $100M+ businesses ✔ Leadership and team-building strategies ✔ Hiring and building high-performing teams ✔ Revenue vs. profitability ✔ Working across global cultures and organizations ✔ Why onboarding impacts retention ✔ AI, InfoComm, and A/V industry trends ✔ AVIP, networking, and personal branding ✔ Advice for young professionals entering A/V Whether you're a sales leader, manufacturer, integrator, recruiter, or early in your career, there are lessons here for anyone looking to grow. Connect with Leo and Sam: Sam Malik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammalik/ Leo Golubitsky: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leogolubitsky/ Are You on the Hunt? Visit: https://birddogtalent.com/ #AVTweeps #AVJobs #ProAV #AVIndustry #InfoComm #AlwaysOnTheHunt

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Episode 26- $100M+, Multiple Times: Sam Mailk on Building Teams, Scaling Companies & Winning in A/V

May 25, 2026 7:20 pm

In Episode 25 of Always on the Hunt, Leo sits down with Jessica to talk about career growth, authenticity, and what it really takes to succeed in the AV industry while being fully yourself. Jessica’s journey has taken her from church sound tech and touring musician to integrator, rep firm, distributor, and now overseeing global distribution for a major LED manufacturer. Along the way, she became one of the industry’s strongest voices in DirectView LED, helping manufacturers and distributors rethink how LED could successfully scale through the channel. But this episode goes deeper than business strategy. Jessica opens up about her transition, the fear of how the industry would react, and how carrying the weight of hiding part of herself affected both her confidence and career. She shares how learning to live authentically ultimately made her stronger, more confident, and more effective professionally. Leo and Jessica also discuss: Why top performers make noise instead of blending in The importance of mentorship and feedback Building cultures where people actually thrive Adapting, evolving, and owning your career path Why “doing the basics” still separates the best from everyone else This episode is about growth, resilience, authenticity, and finding success by finally being yourself. Connect with Leo and Jessica: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-sanders-255b6847/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/leogolubitsky/ Are You on the Hunt? Visit birddogtalent.com

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Episode 25 - Jessica Sanders: Finding Success by By Being Yourself

May 12, 2026 1:10 pm

What does it really take to bet on yourself? In this episode of Always on the Hunt, Leo sits down with Mark Knox to unpack a career built on taking risks, making bold moves, and refusing to blend into the background. Mark didn’t follow a traditional path into A/V. He started pulling wire, worked his way through project management, and broke into some of the biggest names in the industry including Sony and Sharp/NEC. Along the way, he built a reputation for one thing: showing up, speaking up, and making his presence felt in every room he walked into. But the biggest move came when he walked away from a successful corporate career to start Pixel Audio Video. Mark shares the real story behind that decision, turning a side hustle into a full-time business, the pressure of leaving behind a steady income, and the mindset required to move forward without a safety net. From landing early clients to scaling the business, he breaks down what it actually looks like to take that leap of faith. The conversation also covers: Why the most successful people focus on solving problems, not titles The difference between working in a business and running one How to create real impact, whether you’re in a global company or a small team The importance of being intentional, building relationships, and making others better Mark also shares how he’s now focused on building something bigger than himself, creating opportunities for the next generation and helping bring new talent into the A/V industry. This episode is about ownership, growth, and the willingness to take a risk when most people stay comfortable.

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Episode 24 Mark Knox Betting on Yourself

May 3, 2026 9:07 pm

Always on the Hunt is back for 2026, and Leo and Bayley kick things off with a clear message for A/V leaders: hiring isn’t getting easier, and in many cases, it’s about to get harder. After reflecting on a slow and uncertain 2025, marked by delayed hiring mainly due to tariff concerns, they explain why 2026 could be even tougher. With demand increasing and surveys showing most workers are choosing stability over change, candidate movement is slowing, especially among the passive talent companies actually want to hire. Drawing from Leo’s recent presentation at Total Tech Summit and real-world recruiting experience, Leo and Bayley review best practices for hiring in the A/V industry, highlighting why reactive hiring creates pain, how proactive planning changes outcomes, and what separates companies that consistently attract great people from those that struggle. This episode is both a reality check and a playbook. The takeaway is simple: if you plan to hire in 2026, you need a strategy, you need to start early, and you need to be proactive. The war on talent is real, and the companies that win are the ones prepared for it. Are You on the Hunt? Visit birddogtalent.com

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Episode 23 - A/V Hiring in 2026

February 1, 2026 1:33 am

How do you lead global marketing for a giant like Crestron, steer an industry association like CEDIA through massive change, and help build a 65-year-old ESOP company for the future? The answer, according to veteran AV leader Vin Bruno, always comes back to two things: people and simplicity. In this episode of Always On The Hunt, Vin shares his incredible journey from fixing mixers to shaping the AV industry. He opens up about the pivotal lessons learned from working with industry titans, the strategy behind consolidating CEDIA into a global entity, and why the simplest solution is almost always the right one for clients. Whether you're an integrator, manufacturer, or just interested in leadership, this conversation is packed with wisdom on building trust, fostering talent, and navigating the complex human dynamics of technology. Connect with Vin: Vincent Bruno on LinkedIn avservices.net Are You on the Hunt? Visit birddogtalent.com

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Episode 22 - Vincent Bruno: Trust, Simplification, and Future-Proofing Your AV Business

August 26, 2025 2:39 pm

In this episode of #AlwaysontheHunt, we sit down with Noah Kaplan, the visionary founder of Leon Speakers—a company that has redefined the intersection of art, design, and audio technology. Noah shares his unconventional journey from artist and musician to pioneering entrepreneur, who made the bold move to build high-end speakers in Michigan while his competitors moved overseas. Discover how Leon Speakers blends Bohemian creativity with cutting-edge AV solutions, from custom soundbars to one-of-a-kind trade show booths. Noah dives into the importance of authenticity, the challenges of balancing artistry with business, and why staying true to your vision matters—even when the industry pushes conformity. Whether you're an AV professional, entrepreneur, or just someone who loves a great origin story, this conversation is packed with inspiration. Tune in and get ready to rethink what’s possible in technology and design! Are You on the Hunt? Visit birddogtalent.com

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Episode 21- Noah Kaplan: Building Premium Sound, Authentic Culture, and a Bohemian Community

August 19, 2025 2:54 pm

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