Rob Simopoulos didn’t need CI’s help in finding recognition as a rising young star in the AV and security spaces. Even before he graced the cover of the October 2014 issue, Simopoulos found his way onto the radar of several prominent industry leaders, including NSCA executive director Chuck Wilson.
Almost a year after editor-in-chief Tom LeBlanc told the story about Simopoulos and his security/AV company Advance Technology, we included him on our 40 CI Influencers Under 40 in the September 2015 issue. Though he did not seek out the honor, Simopoulos is proud of the accomplishment.
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“It’s a heck of an honor to be on lists like this, especially with some of the other people who are on the list with me,” says Simopoulos, who started Launch Security in Portland, Maine, about four months ago. The company is aimed at helping small and medium-sized businesses with cybersecurity prevention. He’s also a member of the NSCA board of directors.
Simopolous, now 40, was joined on the 2015 CI 40 Under 40 by fellow Advance Technology alum Kristina Johnson, who was earlier that year among the first subjects of our ever-popular Back Stage mini-profiles. He thinks that makes the distinction even more special.
“It’s amazing to see someone else from our organization included along with myself,” he says. “It’s a really nice way to be able to showcase their talent. I definitely wouldn’t say I was trying to get on the list but it’s an amazing feeling to be among such an incredible group of people.”
Simopoulos knows there are many other young superstars in the AV, IT, and security industries who deserve recognition on the CI 40 Under 40, whether this year or sometime in the future. He expects it to eventually get to a point where CI will have to grow the list from 40 to a much higher figure (although, truth be told, we’ve been known to squeeze in as many as 53 in our 40 Under 40 in the past).
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Do you know a rising AV superstar? Let us know.
