CEDIA, the Association for Smart Home Professionals, is honouring the contributions of two distinguished smart home industry professionals, with Rich Green being awarded the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award and Michael Cogbill being named as the 2024 CEDIA Fellow. Their dedication and impact on both the association and the smart home industry is “truly exceptional”, the association says.
Rich Green (pictured above), the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, has been a prominent professional in the AV industry since 1978. His system integration company, Rich Green Design, serves the ambitious homeowners and businesses of Silicon Valley. His clients have included Steve Jobs, Larry Ellison, Tony Fadell, Jim Clark, Gordon Getty, Rush Limbaugh, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Luciano Pavarotti. Rich travels the world as an instructor, consultant, and public speaker in the fields of Future Technologies and Design.
CEDIA’s Lifetime Achievement Award recognises an individual who has demonstrated innovative and visionary leadership in the technology design and installation industry, and the association says that no one is more deserving than Rich, who has had a positive impact on everything he touches and everyone he meets.
Alex Capecelatro, CEDIA Board Chairperson, comments, “Rich exemplifies what it means to give back. Over the past 30-plus years, he has dedicated hundreds of hours to creating and delivering courses for CEDIA, chaired several committees, and served as a CEDIA board member. His guidance among volunteers and within the committees he has served on has been instrumental in shaping the direction of many member companies.
“Rich has always encouraged the smart home industry to think beyond the immediate future, and many of the predictions he made during his ‘Inside Scoop from Silicon Valley’ course have proven true. There is no one else in the CEDIA community demonstrating the level of leadership that Rich does in preparing for an AI-driven future.”
Rich Green, the recipient of the award, comments, “It’s an incredible privilege to receive this prestigious recognition, but the true joy comes from reflecting on the hundreds of friends and colleagues I’ve met over the past 32 years with CEDIA. My life would be profoundly different without the friendship, guidance, and love from so many remarkable people. This honour is truly a reflection of all of you!”
Meanwhile, this year’s CEDIA Fellows accolade – which is awarded to individuals who have helped shape the industry and significantly contributed to the association’s success – has been awarded to Michael Cogbill.
Michael is recognised internationally as an authority in the field of home automation and integrated home systems. His professional career spans over 45 years as an engineer, manager and entrepreneur. From 2006 through to early 2020, he served as Chief Engineer for ETC, a leading technology integrator in south Florida. He introduced his own company, REV2 Consulting, in 2020, providing home and building technology expertise to owners, architects, designers, and builders.
“Michael has dedicated many years not only to CEDIA but to the broader industry, actively supporting market growth and identifying areas where change is necessary,” explains Daryl Friedman, Global President and CEO of CEDIA. “It’s been my pleasure to get to know him and learn from him as he continues to provide his expertise on advocacy and many other areas important to the CEDIA community.”
“As one of CEDIA’s highest honours, I am truly humbled and thankful for the esteemed recognition,” comments Michael Cogbill. “Having been involved with the association from the beginning, I am flooded with memories of so many special people I was privileged to learn from, work with, and befriend. I always received more than I gave!”
Rich and Michael will be honoured during the 2024 CEDIA Smart Home Awards ceremonies in the Americas, EMEA and APAC regions.
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