As we gear up for an exciting fall semester here at SMU, we want to take a moment to introduce you to the dedicated professionals behind the Office of Information Technology’s AV team. This talented group plays a crucial role in ensuring our audiovisual systems run smoothly, handling thousands of tickets each year and supporting numerous upgrades and events. Their commitment to excellence shines through, especially with the recent renovations and expansions at the Cox School of Business.
Shawn Remek, Director of Events and Classroom Support
Shawn, based on the third floor of Annette Caldwell Simmons Hall, has been with SMU since December 1996. He holds both an undergraduate degree in History and an MBA, both from SMU, and is an “M” Award recipient. Outside of work, Shawn is an avid traveler and seizes those moments with his wife and friends whenever possible.
Elizabeth Garcia, Event AV
Located in the Hughes-Trigg Student Center, Elizabeth pursued her studies in Electronics at the University of North Texas, with minors in Sociology and Spanish. Her career began as a recording and broadcasting technician, fueling her passion for AV technology. In her free time, she loves exploring nature, spending time with her cat and family, and indulging in her favorite music, car shows, and culinary adventures.
Chris Gaut, AV Systems Architect
Chris, based in Fondren Library West, started his AV career as a student worker during his first year at SMU in 2005. Chris plays a critical role in all of the construction and installation projects ensuring the technology is implemented correctly and programmed for the optimal customer experience. A lifelong Mavericks fan, Chris also enjoys tropical fish and skiing.
Demetrice Ingram, Event AV
Dee will soon be based on the Mezzanine level of Cox. She began her AV career volunteering with her church and later freelanced for AV production companies for 17 years. A standout student, Dee was the first in her high school to pass the Calculus AP exams. Dee loves problem-solving and shared with us, “This is why this role is a perfect fit!”
Jim Jaeger, Sr. Audio Visual Design Engineer
Jim continues to work out of the Fondren Library West building. Before joining SMU, he was an Electrical Technician at Fermi National Laboratory outside Chicago and at the Superconducting Super Collider near Waxahachie, Texas. He was also previously a Computer Technician at the Dallas Morning News. In his spare time, Jim enjoys reading and traveling.
Barrett Land, Audio Visual Design Engineer
Housed in Fondren Library West, Barrett began his AV career at Disney and later worked on smart home systems for Amazon. He joined SMU after doing contract work for us and loves competition, from board games to sports. You might spot Barrett skateboarding between buildings to help with a call!
Russel Niedermayer, Event AV
Russel offices in Frances Moody Hall. He has been with SMU since 2018 and is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree at the University. Outside of work, he is very physically active, primarily outdoors, with camping, hiking, and kayaking.
Winston Phan, Sr. Event AV
Winston, based in the Underwood Law Library Center, has supported classrooms and events at SMU for 12 years. His diverse background includes roles as a Medical Lab Tech, ASIC Design Engineer, VLSI Design Engineer, and Telecom Software Test Engineer. In his spare time, he enjoys tinkering with ancient electronics.
Ethan Sims, Event AV
Ethan, located in the Fincher Building at the Cox Business School, recently completed his degree in Audio Engineering/Recording Arts. After a year with Encore Global, he joined SMU. Ethan is enthusiastic about music production and DJing, performing at Green Light Social and other venues around Dallas.
We are proud of our AV team and their dedication to enhancing the SMU experience. Their hard work and expertise make a significant impact on the SMU community every day.
Cover photo and headshots © Ian Aberle. Used with permission.
