AV/IT Amplifier

In this one off InfoComm 2026 episode, the tables turn as Laura and Rebecca from Igloo Vision take over the microphones and interview Ryan Gray for a change. What starts as a lighthearted booth conversation quickly turns into a surprisingly honest discussion about recognition, community leadership, HETMA’s future, the pressure of being seen by others, and why the best technology is often the kind instructors never have to think about.Ryan talks about winning AV Professional of the Year, the importance of working yourself out of a job, and why HETMA’s future depends on shared ownership beyond its original leaders. The conversation also dives into student centered classroom technology, including beamforming microphones, automated camera systems, capture workflows, and the role of AI in helping students translate class experiences into learning that fits their lives. Also, somehow, HETMA becomes cucumber lime electrolyte water and Ryan becomes “Persistence Man.”Topics DiscussedRyan being interviewed instead of hostingThe HETMA podcast takeover from InfoComm 2026Laura and Rebecca from Igloo Vision turning the tablesRyan’s role at Yavapai CollegeRyan’s role with Higher Ed AV MediaReceiving the AV Professional of the Year awardThe challenge of accepting recognitionWorking yourself out of a jobBuilding teams that create opportunities for othersHelping work outlive the person who started itHETMA as a volunteer driven organizationThe early growth of HETMA during the COVID eraShared ownership as the future of HETMABringing new leaders into the communityHETMA’s presence at ISE and international growthThe importance of education led community buildingHow higher education AV may translate differently outside the United StatesBalancing structure and substance in a growing organizationTechnology that supports teaching without getting in the wayDesigning AV systems around the student experienceBeamforming microphones in learning spacesShure ceiling microphone systemsAutomated camera systems and Huddly CrewLecture capture and recorded classroom experiencesAI searchable class contentSupporting working adults, parents, and students with complicated livesMatching teaching styles to student learning needsThe value of technology that feels automatic to instructorsConnect with Laura Millshttps://uk.linkedin.com/in/laurakellymillshttps://www.igloovision.comConnect with Rebecca Wadehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-wade-979094154https://www.igloovision.comConnect with Ryanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanagray/ryan@higheredav.comVoiceover by Chris DechterHave feedback or guest ideas? Let us know!This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Visit www.HigherEdAV.com for fresh content every day!

Sometimes leadership doesn’t begin with a grand vision—it begins with a text. In this introspective Gray Matter Moment, Ryan Gray records from the shores of Puerto Peñasco during his family’s annual October trip and reflects on a recent experience that brought personal vulnerability into the spotlight. He had been invited to co-lead a session at Yavapai College’s “Students of Leadership” retreat, an intensive three-day mountaintop experience for emerging student leaders. The theme? The phoenix.What unfolded was a powerful exploration of the relationships that shape a leader’s story—those closest to you in your venture, and the larger network that comprises your odyssey. Feeling the weight of proving the concept, Ryan sent a late-night video request to his own leadership network, asking if they would say, simply, “I’m part of Ryan’s Leadership Odyssey.” The overwhelming response became a video that turned a presentation into a shared affirmation—and a retreat highlight.This episode walks listeners through that experience, offering a reminder: the people you surround yourself with define your trajectory. Leadership isn’t solitary—it’s a journey guided by others.Topics DiscussedRecording from the Sea of Cortez during a family tripBroken wrist update and life-work balanceIntroduction to the Yavapai College “Students of Leadership” programPreparing (and co-presenting) a leadership session with Dean Stacey HiltonThe symbolism of the phoenix, and collective nouns: venture and odysseyHow venture reflects your close-knit leadership circleHow odyssey represents the broader network that shapes your journeyThe last-minute decision to text Ryan’s own leadership networkDozens of affirming video replies and their emotional impactShowing students the power of curating your leadership odysseyConnect with Ryan@Ryan_A_Grayhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanagray/ryan@higheredav.comVoiceover by Chris DechterHave feedback or guest ideas? Let us know!This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Visit www.HigherEdAV.com for fresh content every day!

This week, Ryan catches up with BC Hatchett, Director of Classroom Technology at Vanderbilt University and co-founder of HETMA. They talk about shifting from “manager” to “leader,” handing the reins to the next crew, and why letting go (and then cheering from the sideline) is a healthy sign of organizational growth. BC also keeps it real about the pace of higher ed—no more “quiet summers”—and how to stay sane by breaking big things into small, winnable pieces.Then they pivot to Nashville: HETMA’s Roadshow lands at Vanderbilt on Monday, October 27, perfectly teeing up EDUCAUSE (Oct 28–30) across town. Expect a campus tour (Garland Hall’s renovation is a highlight), a compact vendor experience tailored to higher ed, and a downtown happy hour to keep the conversations going. HETMA will also bring its curated show-floor tour to EDUCAUSE and anchor in the Teaching & Learning “neighborhood” so higher-ed AV folks have a home base all week. Registration for the Roadshow is (gloriously) free—link in the show notes.Topics DiscussedFrom vice chair to emeritus: leading by influence, not taskingHanding off the wheel: why other people’s improvements are the pointThe new reality: no dead periods, tighter cycles, same (or fewer) resourcesMorale by momentum: chip away to free up bandwidthNashville preview: Vanderbilt’s Garland Hall and campus tour plansWhat makes Roadshows different: regional, targeted, and human-scale conversationsEDUCAUSE in Nashville: who it serves and how AV fits inHETMA’s curated show-floor tour: maximizing limited exhibit timeTeaching & Learning “neighborhood” at EDUCAUSE as a community hubPractical travel + weather notes for late-October Nashville (layers!)Connect with BCBC.Hatchett@hetma.orghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bc-hatchett-88746312/https://x.com/bchatchettConnect with Ryan@Ryan_A_Grayhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanagray/yan@higheredav.comShow LinksHETMA Roadshow – Vanderbilt (Oct 27): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nashville-roadshow-at-vanderbilt-university-tickets-1467308913459EDUCAUSE 2025: https://events.educause.edu/annual-conferenceVoiceover by Chris DechterHave feedback or guest ideas? Let us know!This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Visit www.higeredav.com for fresh content everyday!

In this second half of Ryan’s conversation with Dustin Myers of John A. Logan College and HETMA, the discussion dives into the balance of professional commitments, personal life, and community involvement in higher education technology. Dustin shares how his early InfoComm experiences transformed from solitary tech browsing to full-blown community immersion, illustrating the power of connection and professional development through HETMA. The two talk candidly about managing travel, family, and campus responsibilities while still staying deeply engaged in national conversations.The episode also takes a lighter turn, exploring Dustin’s improv and forensics background, his love of burgers, and even the idea of a Kevin James biopic about the realities of IT support. From AV karaoke to spider-infested computers, it’s a conversation that blends humor with genuine insights into leadership, adaptability, and finding joy in the work. Dustin’s reflections highlight the improvisational nature of technology management and the importance of building trust, community, and balance along the way.Topics DiscussedDustin’s evolution from attending InfoComm as a spectator to being fully engaged through HETMABalancing institutional responsibilities with national professional development opportunitiesThe role of pre-planning and prioritization in making travel and commitments sustainableHow personality traits like extroversion and people-focus shape community contributionsDustin’s improv and forensics background, and how it connects to leadership and tech supportHumor, adaptability, and the importance of “yes, and” in technology managementThe idea of a Kevin James–style IT support movie and real-life funny stories from the fieldFood talk: burgers, Cubans, and the philosophy of whether a hot dog is a tacoThe role of family in professional identity and why AV/IT conversations often skip itHow to connect with Dustin via email, LinkedIn, and the HETMA CommunityConnect with Dustin:Email – dustinmyers@jalc.eduLinkedIn – Dustin MyersHETMA Community – community.hetma.orgConnect with Ryan:Twitter – @Ryan_A_GrayLinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanagray/Email – ryan@higheredav.comThis show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Please visit HigherEdAV.com to see more!Voiceover Credit: Chris DechterHave feedback or ideas for the show? Reach out—we’d love to hear from you.

In this Gray Matter Moment, Ryan takes a thoughtful pause from guest conversations to explore a concept that’s been personally transformative for him: radical acceptance. Sparked by a presentation at Yavapai College’s convocation, he reflects on the psychological roots of the idea, its practical applications in leadership and technology, and how it connects to everyday challenges across higher education.From acknowledging reality without judgment to understanding the circles of control, influence, and concern, Ryan connects these lessons to AV/IT scenarios like AV over IP, organizational change, and team dynamics. He emphasizes that acceptance is not the same as approval or resignation—it’s the foundation for clarity, resilience, and effective action. Along the way, he shares personal experiences from therapy, insights from Stephen Covey, and connections to mindfulness practice. This episode offers both reflection and practical steps for leaders navigating complex transitions.Topics DiscussedWhy the AV/IT Amplifier occasionally pauses and the value of Gray Matter MomentsConvocation at Yavapai College and the theme of navigating changeThe concept of radical acceptance from dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)Acceptance vs. approval: acknowledging truth without resignationExamples of resistance in higher ed technology (AV over IP, cloud control)Stephen Covey’s circles of control, influence, and concernParallels to the Serenity Prayer and recovery wisdomFive skills for practicing radical acceptance in daily lifeThe role of mindfulness, breathing, and role-play in emotional regulationHow radical acceptance expands clarity, influence, and resilienceThe AV/IT Amplifier is a Higher Ed AV Media production. More at higheredav.com.Connect with RyanTwitter – @Ryan_A_GrayLinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanagray/Email – ryan@higheredav.comVoiceover by Chris Dechter.We’d love your feedback! Share thoughts on this episode and others by reaching out through social media or email.

In this second week of conversation, Ryan Gray welcomes back Jonathan “Jon” Gunzel from John A. Logan College for another lively and candid chat. They dive into Jon’s biggest fear—spiders—and the surprising fact that he’s been bitten four times by brown recluses. Despite his arachnophobia, Jon shares that owning a pet spider would symbolize conquering his fears. The discussion winds through topics from cage diving with great white sharks, to customer service lessons learned as a bartender and liquor store employee, to the elusive secret behind why restaurant ranch dressing tastes so much better than bottled.Jon opens up about balancing introversion and extroversion, why he thinks people are inherently good, and where he’d place himself on the Dungeons & Dragons alignment chart. The episode also covers his past life as a vocalist in a metal band, including the creative process behind writing lyrics, the sounds that shaped his music, and where some of his early work still lives online. Along the way, Ryan and Jon have plenty of laughs—whether plotting a “ranch heist,” casting the movie of Jon’s life (must-have beard included), or reflecting on how a simple “how are you?” can change an interaction.Topics Discussed:Conquering fears and why Jon would keep a pet spiderFour brown recluse bites and no Spider-Man powersWhy great white sharks are fascinating, not just frighteningFinding balance between introversion and extroversion in tech rolesCustomer service lessons from bartending and liquor salesThe secret to restaurant-quality ranch dressingCasting bearded actors to play Jon in the movie of his lifeHis years as a vocalist in a metal band and the collaborative songwriting processPerspectives on human nature and the D&D alignment chartThe importance of genuinely asking “how are you?” before diving into requestsConnect with JonEmail – Jonathan.Gunzel@jalc.eduLinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgunzel89/Connect with RyanTwitter (X) – https://twitter.com/Ryan_A_GrayLinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanagrayEmail – ryan@higheredav.comVoiceover Credit: Chris DechterHave thoughts or feedback? Reach out to Ryan on social or email, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a Wednesday drop.The AV/IT Amplifier Podcast is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Learn more about this show and a host of other awesome content at www.higheredav.com