AMHERST, NEW YORK, August 22, 2019 — Demonstrating its continued ability to attract the very best talent, Stampede, the global leader in value added distribution, today announced the appointment of InFocus General Manager, Vice President of Sales-Americas, EMEA Jim Reddy to serve as the Vice President of Sales of a newly formed Stampede United States Field Sales Team that combines the company’s Business Development and Collaboration Solutions Groups into a single powerhouse field sales force comprised of 17 dedicated professionals.

“Today we introduce the Delta Force of Stampede Field Sales,” Stampede President & CEO Kevin Kelly said today.  “This is a highly experienced and passionate team of professionals who are experts in all of the vertical markets we serve.  Under the leadership of Jim Reddy, this newly formed team is ready to hit the ground hard and fast on behalf of all of our resellers and the customers they serve”.

According to Kelly, the expanded team includes two new additional arrivals from InFocus: Eric Lookenott, who served as InFocus Director/Senior Director of Sales-Americas, and Mark Cunningham, who served as InFocus Director of Sales.  Lookenott and Cunningham join Stampede veteran Steve Schafer, who continues to lead the Stampede Business Development Group while reporting to Reddy, as well as current Stampede Collaboration Solutions Groups and dvLED Business Development Managers Rob Luther and Autumn Connot.

“We are investing in the development of an entirely new field sales force because we believe we are at a pivotal inflection point in the Pro AV industry,” Kelly emphasized.  “A new era in Pro AV is upon us, one that requires an entirely new approach to sales, customer service, collaboration, and business development.  Backed by the resources of DCC and Exertis, Stampede has the resources to redefine how we meet the needs of our customers, integrating traditional products with new technologies in new ways that deliver on the promise of experiential AV.”

Jim Reddy brings a 22-year career at InFocus to his new position at Stampede.  Beginning as a Territory Account Manager in 1997, he advanced to Director of U.S. Sales in 2002, Vice President of Sales, Americas in 2007, and General Manager, Vice President of Sales-Americas, EMEA in 2018.  “Jim understands how to create innovative, collaborative solutions that leverage the full range of today’s audiovisual and content generating technologies.  He brings out of the box thinking to every customer’s unique situation and he is a visionary leader who motivates everyone around him to achieve higher levels of success.  He is an outstanding addition to the senior leadership of our company,” Kelly stressed.

Eric Lookenott also brings 22 years of InFocus sales experience to Stampede.  From his start in 1997 as Channel, End User and Global Business Development Manager, he progressed to Program Manager-Global Accounts in 2001 National Sales Manager-Strategic & Global Accounts in 2007, and, finally, Director/Senior Director of Sales-Americas in 2016.  “Eric has the demonstrated ability to stimulate demand in new and emerging market segments,” Kelly stressed.

Mark Cunningham brings a 22-year career in consumer electronics and ProAV sales to Stampede.  Since joining InFocus in 2000, Cunningham has served as Territory Account Manager (2000), National Sales Manager (2004), and Director of Sales (2008).  Prior to InFocus, he served as a Corporate Account Manager and Regional Sales Manager at Sony Electronics.

“Jim, Eric, and Mark are passionate about bringing the benefits of commercial AV to channels and end users who may not have thought that they needed commercial AV to create a more compelling customer experience,” he continued.  “Their talent, combined with the successful track records of Steve Schafer, Rob Luther, Autumn Connot, and the other 11 members of the team, is going to redefine the benchmark for excellence in field sales and support.”