Gregory Townsend

Gregory V. Townsend

928 E 148^th Street, ,

Mobile: 312-399-1692

 Email:  gtownsen1@yahoo.com

SUMMARY:

Sound Engineer with Project Management skills over 20 years of audiovisual installation and operator experience, working for fortune 500 Companies such as Allstate Insurance and BP Amoco Oil which also included working abroad for BP. Worked in theater and arena facilities with major talents such as Broadway plays Anastasia, and Fiddler on the Roof, Rock bands Foreigner, and Chicago just to name a few. I have worked with several prestigious individuals such as Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Magic Johnson, Mike Ditka, Ernie Banks as well as press conferences for Mayoral Candidates. I was employed by Amoco Oil Corporation for 20 years in technical positions. I have designed, installed, and operated conference rooms, as well as concert sound systems, houses of worship, and home theaters. I communicate well and stay abreast of current technology. I have been trained in network communications with an extensive electronics background.  A self-motivated individual with broad technical knowledge, combined with strong analytical and troubleshooting experience.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Audiovisual Design Engineer – GVT Audio                                Dolton, IL            1/2002 to Present

Sound Engineer set up and operates live concerts, corporate, government, and religious events, to maintain equalization, speech clarity and an overall distinct audio mix. Experienced with streaming, lighting, video playback, projection and camera set up and operation.

·         Design/ install audio and video systems; recommend modifications to improve performance.

·         Manage audio, video and design crew; schedule, prioritize, and monitor crew for efficiency.

·         Consult and teach audio theory defining technology improvements and equipment operations

·         Operate Yamaha, Soundcraft, Allen and Heath, Midas, PreSonus digital consoles and more.

·         Broadway Play audio assistant:

o   Load in, setup and teardown backstage A2 location and Front of House A1 location,

o   Assist with mic preparation backstage; setup, monitor, and troubleshoot the Band Pit.

·         Operate Sony broadcast cameras, fast-fold screens, Panasonic, Sony projectors and more.

·         Operate and set theatrical lighting, follow Spot, Source Four, Par, Moving lights and more.

·         Set-up and tear down various truss, configurations.

·         Hang lights, projectors, video and audio monitors, banners, backdrops, props, motors, and line array speakers.

·         Stagehand in Props department for Broadway plays.

Information Technology Coordinator – Rock of Ages Baptist Church              Maywood, IL     3/2008 to 7/2008

Network Administrator: maintained servers and client computers kept all network, hardware and software updated.  Remodeled network architecture and improved network infrastructure.  I added technical value to the Leadership Team and served as an interim Media Manager.

·         Supported Microsoft Windows 2003, SQL, Exchange Servers and client server applications.

·         Manager of the audio department; supervised video manager along with 25 media volunteers.

·         Maintained and operated live Webcast of Sunday services.

·         Performed audiovisual installations and professional audio improvements.

Custom In-Home Installer – Tweeter                Downers Grove, IL          2/2005 to 8/2007

Install home theater systems, pre-wire new and existing buildings, install in wall and ceiling speakers, hang plasma’s on or in wall, wire components, program remote controls on computer, set up and test equipment, and train end users how to operate media system.

·         Basic knowledge of low voltage electrical (Ethernet - CAT5, cable - RG6, etc.)

·         Safely operate equipment, small tools and lift equipment up to 100 pounds.

·         Read and comprehended service and equipment manuals.

·         Install routers, IP controlled equipment, local IR repeater and RF systems.

Network Administrator/ Finance Assistant – Stratford  Chicago, IL & Gary Move of God    Gary, IN     3/2004 to 2/2005

Maintained Local Area, Wide Area and Virtual Private Networks.  Procured computer hardware, software and supplies. Posted accounts receivable, accounts payable, and balanced accounts.

·         Designed technology infrastructure for wired and wireless Local Area Networks.

·         Installed and updated all software applications; built, configured and maintained hardware.

·         Supported Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 and all client server applications.

Customer Service Associate – Lode Data Systems, Inc        Orland Park, IL      7/2003 to 3/2004

    Help Desk; customer support, installed hardware and point of sale software on new computers.

·         Provided technical support over phone by troubleshooting computers.

·         SQL: run queries to diagnose deviations in system performance and correct malfunctions

·         Installed hardware: Hard Drives, Memory, CD ROMs, Modems, and configured ports.

·         Installed Microsoft Windows Operating Systems, 2000, XP, Professional; ISA, and Small Business Server 2003 including
          SQL Server, also set up LAN environment.

Connectivity Consultant – BP Corporation North America        Naperville, IL    3/2000 to 5/2002

Consulted business managers and computer support on use and implementation of Virtual Private Networks (VPN).   

·         Persuaded management to use VPN technology and cut costs. Evaluated VPN requests by reviewing company’s existing work
          process; identified needs and suggested realistic plan of action.

·         Developed Terms of Reference for each VPN project documenting technical needs/cost savings.

Audiovisual Systems Engineer – Amoco Corporation               Chicago, IL         3/1990 to 3/2000

Managed and Streamed events by coordinating technical information and content flow. Executive Board Room Manager; Manager/Operator for a 250-seat auditorium and executive level videoconference systems.  Senior Technician for 50 meeting/training rooms.

·         Managed clients’ expectations for delivering cost effective webcast.

·         Assumed the role of Executive Producer and Technical Director during events.

·         Insured resilience with the use of reliable backups such as satellite and videoconference.

·         Developed cost estimates based on internal department and contractor charges.

·         Hired personnel to support audiovisual requirements for on and off-site meetings. 

·         Engineered and designed videoconference rooms for multipurpose conference facilities.

·         Operated a 24 Channel mixer, CD player, Media recorders, audio/video tape recorders, and digital video switcher using
          multiple video formats, video projector, multiple projection equipment and light dimming system.

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE:

Sound Engineer for “Winning in Life” a weekly international TV production, operate “Amek Recall” 57-channel partial automation analog mixing console. Assisted in the Production studio running sound or monitoring Web encoders. Volunteer from 1993 to 2010.

ASSOCIATION:

Audio Engineering Society

Society of Broadcast Engineers

EDUCATION:

          Bachelor of Science in Network and Communications Management

           DeVry University, Tinley Park, IL

 GPA = 2.98/4.0