NSCA announced two distinguished NSCA awards honorees for 2023 during the 25th annual Business & Leadership Conference. The conference will take place on Feb. 28 to March 2, 2023, in Irving, Texas. NSCA is the not-for-profit association representing the commercial integration industry.
A Decorated Career
Mike Bradley, president and CEO at ECD Systems, will receive the 2023 Per Haugen Lifetime Achievement Award. While teaching high school choral music, he took a second job in sales with Chambers Electronic Communications in Phoenix, Ariz. This led to a 16-year career at the company, including a stint as president for six years.
From there, Bradley spent 18 years in management and as president at Safeguard Security and Communications in Scottsdale, Ariz. When Safeguard went under sale in 2014, he and two partners purchased the company’s integration assets. They then formed ECD Systems in Tempe, Ariz. What started as a company with $8 million in revenue is now at the $25 million mark.
During this time, Bradley also dedicated 11 years to serving on the NSCA Board of Directors. Here, he spent two years as president. He’s also a frequent speaker at NSCA and CEDIA events.
“I was serving on the NSCA board when we established the Per Haugen Lifetime Achievement Recognition,” says Bradley. “I’ve watched our industry evolve from small, independent-lifestyle businesses to impressive enterprises providing quality employment for tens of thousands while attracting the investment markets with magnificent growth opportunities. To be singled out for this recognition left me speechless. It’s a testament to those by my side over the years who make up for my many weaknesses and failures.”
“Mike’s list of accomplishments as a leader is very impressive, and his insights inspire many,” says NSCA CEO Chuck Wilson. “He continues to make a difference in the industry, including this year as he serves as a panelist for a Business & Leadership Conference session on balancing the true costs of doing business with perceived value.”
Pioneer of Growth and Equality
Cory Schaeffer will receive the 2023 NSCA Education Foundation Founders Award. She retired from the industry in mid-2022. Most notably, she finished out her career at QSC, where she built alliances for the Q-SYS platform.
Prior to her role at QSC, she founded Listen Technologies Corporation, established in 1998. She also served on the NSCA Education Foundation. Schaeffer has a passion for equity and representation for women in the industry. Currently, she serves as an advisor to the WAVIT Board of Directors. WAVIT is a newly formed organization created by and for women in the AV/IT industries.
“It’s an honor to be chosen for this award and recognized by NSCA members,” Schaeffer says. “NSCA has been leading the industry on education and inclusion — both causes I care deeply about.”
“Cory is a great voice and role model in this industry,” says Wilson. “She is an advocate for and has helped build awareness of women in the industry. She made an impactful difference for NSCA during her three years as vice president for the NSCA Education Foundation. And she’ll continue to make waves throughout the industry — even in retirement.”
