As the new year begins, we are proud to introduce our newest honoree of the ongoing #AVLivingLegends series — Joshua Kell of Horizon AVL / Esports Integration!
Currently serving as CEO of Horizon AVL / Esports Integration, Kell brings with him a rich history of working in the AV, IT and services industry. His skills in particular include management, videoconferencing, Internet Protocol (IP), broadcast and Esports development.
Interview With Joshua Kell of Horizon AVL / Esports Integration
In this interview, Kell reflects on his journey at Horizon AVL / Esports Integration, crediting his family, especially his wife, Lauren Kell, for their immense support. He also dives into how mentorship for his children is an ongoing commitment, and advises all to remain focused on the mission while having fun.
Read on to learn more about Joshua Kell, our 79th inductee in the #AVLivingLegends series! And if you’d like to read even more coverage, check out our hub page. It includes direct links to every living legend!
Commercial Integrator: What motivated you to join the commercial AV industry?
Joshua Kell: Technology was always a passion for me. My dad introduced me to radio, television, and broadcasting. He followed the latest technology trends and started his own local production company called Kelevision. It brings me joy to keep my dad’s passion for technology alive (he unexpectedly passed away this year) through my life legacy. Growing up in the 1980s and 1990s, I frequently played video games and tore apart computers to rebuild them. Those hobbies enhanced my tech skills and kept me on the forefront of cultural and technological shifts.
In my senior year of high school, I worked for PC Roomlink deploying PCs into hotel rooms. My passion for business and entrepreneurship sparked. I launched my own website development and design company in California, called New Found Media. I later worked for two other design firms in New Jersey: Loaded Media and Designs by James.
In my early twenties, I took a drastic career pivot working in Philadelphia for a litigation support company, Copy Secure, as chief technology officer. I also launched Tava, a home theater company, which continued to fuel my entrepreneurial and creative spirit, integrating interior design concepts with audiovisual technology for residential home theater solutions.
Joining Horizon AVL
In 2005, I met my wife. Her family owned Horizon AVL, which primarily focused on the installation of sound systems in churches. Horizon initially started as a recording studio, producing and recording music for local and popular artists such as DC Talk and Hezekiah Walker. We discovered our backgrounds connected both of us to the AV industry. Horizon AVL focused on the commercial side of AV, and Tava was focused on residential. I continued to work in Philadelphia in litigation support, but she recognized my true passion was AV and design.
We married in 2007, and while we were dating, I accepted a position with Horizon AVL. I started as a lead installation technician, then project manager, followed by COO, and now serve as the CEO. I wake up every day and love what I do.
Commercial Integrator: What has kept you motivated and engaged in the decades that followed?
Joshua Kell: The AV industry evolves constantly, and that is exciting. I love technology and find it fascinating to explore new products and develop creative solutions for our clients. AV allows me to think outside of the box. In 2017, I recognized that a new generation (Gen Z) of young people were growing up on iPads, video games and digital learning. I launched Esports Integration as a division of Horizon AVL, introducing the AV industry to a new vertical in the Education market. Esports Integration takes a fresh, innovative approach to classroom design and AV solutions. It has been exciting to help launch and watch the esports movement grow while being on the cutting edge of it as an AV integrator. In short, innovation and creativity is motivating.
Meeting amazing people along the way also helps one to love their career.
Commercial Integrator: Reflect on your role as both a mentee early in your career and as a mentor later in your career. Who helped shape the trajectory of your professional life? How have you tried to help shape others’ careers?
Joshua Kell: In my early years, my dad taught me hard work, dedication and creativity. He helped me foster a passion for technology. My friend, Sean Tomlin, of Loaded Media and Designer Wraps, encouraged my entrepreneurial and design skills. My father-in-law, Richard Hartline, encourages me to take the company to the next level. He emphasizes core values, integrity and spiritual growth. There are several other individuals that influenced and inspired me through the years. Adam Rymer of Optic Gaming and Team Envy, who served as the senior vice president at Universal Pictures, is now the chief commercial officer for Regal Cinemas. He has been an encouraging mentor in both business and technology.
Today, I seek to inspire my employees and help them reach their full potential. I encourage them to grow their skill sets while building their careers in AV. I also encourage them to continue building life skill sets for continuous personal growth.
Mentorship: An Ongoing Commitment
My most significant mentorship role is with my own children. My son is in high school and expresses interest in the AV industry. He is a natural musician, wrote a scientific theme paper on the physics of sound, and loves technology. I’m sharing with him the key aspects of business and the various careers that are associated with our industry. My daughter is a natural entrepreneur at heart. I’m helping her develop that entrepreneurial spirit through projects we work on together.
Mentorship is an ongoing commitment, like parenting, in which you make yourself available to guide and encourage someone to pursue their passions, while also offering applicable training. Horizon AVL and Esports Integration values and offers both internal and external mentorship and training. I recognize that mentorship truly plays a significant role in the lives of others.
When I share my personal experiences as a mentor in the form of advice, I focus on the importance of recognizing your life passions, developing them, and finding ways to integrate them into a career.
Joshua Kell Credits Horizon AVL Team Members
My team is always eager to grow. They are excited about our company mission. I truly appreciate them. They strive to reach our company goals and exceed expectations.
My family and wife, Lauren, support me in many ways. Lauren now works for our company in marketing after years of raising our kids. She previously worked as an educator, and her skills in communications combined with her background in education are the perfect fit for our present focus on EdTech and AV.
Commercial Integrator: What’s the most memorable story/anecdote of your career in commercial AV?
Joshua Kell: I recently trained teachers on equipment at the Atlantic City School District. I received remarkable feedback and one teacher commented, “Are you a teacher? You are a fantastic speaker and instructor!”
I find joy in helping others to learn and grow. We built several esports facilities at both the college and high school level, and I often return to the schools as a guest for special events. Observing students thrive in the learning spaces we built for them (ex: Syracuse University Esports) is incredibly rewarding, especially knowing that we contributed to helping them prepare them for their careers.
Perhaps the most rewarding experience took place at Egg Harbor High School (NJ) at an esports community event. I attended the Smash Brothers Tournament to explain the importance of esports to the community. A non-verbal student shocked all of us when he stood up and served as a commentator through the entire tournament — to a crowd of roughly 1,000 people. We were all moved deeply. The teacher was crying. I shared encouraging words and statistics at this event, but it was witnessing this miracle in action that spoke louder than my words. The non-verbal student flourished in a commentator role. We’ve never seen anything like it.
Of course, I strive to include my own kids in my AV and tech world. I built a retro arcade with my son, and I designed a professional sign with my daughter for her craft event jewelry store.
In short, next generation investment is rewarding.
Commercial Integrator: What has been your greatest professional accomplishment to date?
Joshua Kell: Horizon AVL is incredibly thankful for receiving the Commercial Integrator Integration Award for Best Esports Project for the fourth consecutive year: Syracuse University, 2025; Brookdale Community College, 2024; UNCG, 2023; Kean University, 2022.
Commercial Integrator: What has been your biggest professional regret to date?
Joshua Kell: I honestly don’t have many regrets, but I wish there was more time in the day. I do prioritize my family and business, and I work hard at that balance. However, some demands on my time have caused me to miss opportunities. My only regret is sometimes waiting too long to seize an opportunity. Seize the day and grab as many opportunities as possible.
Commercial Integrator: What’s the best advice or pearl of wisdom you either received during your career or came to realize on your own?
Joshua Kell: Stay true to your own mission and goals. Don’t allow distractions to deter your focus. Don’t focus on what everyone else is doing, particularly as it pertains to social media. Getting caught up in competition can lead to missed opportunities that one’s own mission requires. There’s a lot to do out there. Have fun on your mission!
Would you like to nominate a peer or colleague — or perhaps yourself! — to be part of this #AVLivingLegends series? If so, just email Dan Ferrisi!
