As an AV Solutions Engineer working with Audiovisual Solutions at Pearl Technology, Bill Sheets helps to research and develop the designs used for our clients’ AV systems. In this role, he’s responsible for creating rough drawings, which are further developed by the Senior Design Engineer.
How He Serves
Bill works in Pearl Technology’s headquarters, where a large part of what he does right now is research. He also maintains accurate information throughout our clients’ systems.
“I start with creating initial drawings on what we call “napkin CAD”—or computer-aided design—which are then supported by formal drawings that Gerry Gallegos, our Senior Design Engineer, finishes. I may also update drawings in AutoCAD using AutoTask, or I may fill in any gaps in gear. We virtually connect all the proposed gear in a detailed schematic drawing for a client’s system. I also curate our product document database and work to stay current on our clients’ AV systems to find new solutions for them when I can,” Bill said.
Bill also produces formal drawings of the equipment rack layout, elevations of video walls, and/or displays, as well as any other pertinent information concerning a project site. As the project progresses, the technicians and project managers note any changes in the original schematics, request drawing updates, and keep the information accurate and current.
“At the end of each project, I provide final documentation and as-built drawings. From all the notes, markups, and communications, I put together the final documentation package, which is part of the system’s turnover and final payment.”
Bill added that, since he is typically in the shop, he’s been trying to help manage the warehouse as well. “I receive the gear and work with Nelson Barnes (our Senior Design Engineer) on appropriate labeling and storage of upcoming projects. This is important because we try to stage each project in the shop to identify the network’s gear, address the unit, and confirm the latest working firmware. That way, when it’s connected on site, the gear is up and running as soon as possible.”
What His Experience Means
Before joining the team at Pearl Technology in September 2023, Bill worked as a residential audiovisual designer in Austin, Texas. He came to Pearl Tech to work with Jeremy Caldera.
“When my wife and I were looking to move back to Peoria, I was still working in residential AV design. I discovered Jeremy through AVIXA,” Bill explained. “The information I learned about commercial work from Jeremy and others encouraged me to pursue a career in commercial AV design.”
Bill comes to Pearl Technology with more than 30 years of audiovisual experience. He has worked many different AV roles: an AV designer and programmer in Pleasanton, California, and an AV Operations Manager in Texas for over a decade. Bill also served as AV Systems Specialist and co-owner of a business in Texas for two years.
Bill’s training includes a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Texas State University. “My Mathematics degree certainly helps in my current position. And, more recently, I obtained the AVIXA certification as a Certified Technology Specialist. The processes, steps, and milestones of my residential AV experience are similar to the procedures and processes used in commercial projects.”
What Bill loves most about his job is the people he works with. “Currently, I’m helping with wrangling in the inventory. I’m generally facilitating all aspects of preparation for upcoming projects, and I’m studying to obtain my CTS-D (designer certification) from AVIXA.” He is also certified in Crestron Design and QSYS Level 1.
Bill believes Pearl Technology will be able to more easily and quickly prepare bid submission documents and expand their reach into more bid submissions in the future, which will contribute to the company’s growth.
“I recently enjoyed helping with a simple conference system we developed for the Peoria Humane Society,” Bill said. “It was funded through donations and grants. The Humane Society needed an inexpensive solution to control their presentation laptop wirelessly. Normally, we would have connections to a lectern or floor box, which can become expensive. So, I donated an unused wireless keyboard and mouse for the system. It made me feel good to help them out.”
Since joining Pearl Tech’s team, Bill has learned a lot about commercial vs. residential aspects of AV systems, and he’s learning more about processes for submitting bids.
What Sustains Him
Bill and his wife of 34 years, Terri, live in Peoria near Junction City. He says coffee is literally what gets him through each day.
The two have three cats that they rescued from animal shelters in Austin. “They are just getting used to the cold here. Sweetness (named after Walter Payton), or Sweetie, is a 19-year-old white male, Jasper (Kramer) Todd Sheets is a 14-year-old longhaired white male, and Bella is a 12-year-old tabby female who is very spoiled by Terri.”
Bill follows a philosophy from Gary Busey: “When we discover these things about life, humanity, the infrastructure of social life, pay attention to what is good for others, pay attention to the feelings of others first. Start every conversation with a compliment. Do it with grace, kindness, and understanding. And then you will have true friends for life who will never forget the goodness you have in your heart.”
Outside of work, Bill enjoys the Chicago Bears and the Philadelphia Phillies. “I am from Peoria originally,” he added. “When my mother moved to Texas to get her Ph.D. in Nursing Education, my brothers and I followed her to Austin. After finishing her doctorate at the University of Texas, she returned to Peoria to finish her career as a professor at Bradley and the University of Illinois. My brothers and I stayed in Austin for a while, but we came back to Peoria, too.”
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