Audio Visual Solutions from Control Concepts Team
Steve Greenblatt
As one of the pioneers in the independent programming industry, President and Founder Steve Greenblatt has built his career and the company with hard work, dedication, and a commitment to quality service. His focus on these values has contributed to his professional development and is the foundation of Control Concepts.
Steve started his career in 1993 at Crestron Electronics as a Systems Engineer where he spent three years. While at Crestron, he worked on two of the largest projects at the time, gaining extensive technical and professional skills. During this time, Steve built key relationships and gained critical knowledge, while learning the value of organization, time management, communication, and professionalism – all components that have proven to be essential building blocks of his business.
In 1997, Steve’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to start an independent programming company, an offering that was not yet mainstream. While there were initial challenges, it was Steve’s detailed, attentive, and reliable approach that helped propel Control Concepts to steady growth and a loyal following.
Over the years, Control Concepts has formed many long-term client relationships through the company’s development and implementation of AV control programming and software solutions for systems in boardrooms, conference rooms, and classrooms. These partnerships are the essence of why Control Concepts was established and remains committed to helping organizations maximize effectiveness, productivity, and seamless AV communication.
Steve is a graduate of Lehigh University with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.
Jeff Mackie
Jeff Mackie joined CCI as lead developer and Director of Product Development. In January of 2019, Mackie became the Chief Technical Officer. An AV industry veteran with 30 years of engineering experience, Mackie comes to CCI from AMX, where he was a senior developer and project manager since 1998. At AMX he led a development team that was responsible for creating custom software for integrating audio visual systems into residential and corporate environments and integrating them for global strategic customers. Prior to AMX Mackie was associated with three AV firms in New Jersey, Delaware and Washington, DC as project engineer. He completed course work in aeronautical science at Embry-Riddle University and computer science at Montgomery Community College. A highly experienced programmer, Mackie is fluent in many languages and environments including Java, C++, C#, VisualBasic, VB.NET and many different databases including MySQL, MS Access and MS SQL.
Joe Volpe
Joe Volpe entered the AV industry, like many in the Philadelphia area, by working for Peirce Phelps, Inc (PPI). When Joe initially joined PPI’s Technical Assistance Center, his role supported VSAT satellite systems. Later, he moved on to support all Video Conferencing codecs brands including the networks and equipment surrounding them. Enjoying the challenge that came with integrated systems, Joe stayed with the company for several years after PPI was acquired by VTEL and continued his industry work supporting VSPAN and TANDBERG.
After PPI, Joe joined AMX where he spent the last 14 years in several training and project management roles with most of his time spent as a Programmer in the PSG department. In this role, Joe worked with many clients and integrators programming and supporting varied integration projects throughout the country. Over the last five years, he remained focused on programming while managing large accounts in AMX’s Global division.
Since being at Control Concepts Joe has taken on the role of Technical Operations Manager where he leads our team of software developers and programmers, and interfaces with our clients to provide an exceptional experience. He has obtained certifications in Extron, Utelogy, and others in addition to his several certifications from AMX. Joe looks forward to bringing his 20 plus years of industry experience to any project.
Joe holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from West Chester University in Pennsylvania and a Project Management Certificate from Penn State University.
David Glassman
David Glassman joined the Control Concepts team in 2013 as junior programmer, a newly created role at the time. David came on board from RTS Unified Communications where he was involved in a variety of activities including administrative coordination, proposal generation, graphics development and website maintenance/content creation. After experiencing the many facets of the sales side of AV, David decided to pursue the path to becoming a control programmer and interface developer.
While continuing his primary role at Control Concepts, David spent several years of practical study and obtaining hands-on experience programming multiple AMX, Crestron, and Extron projects. In 2015, he officially transitioned into the position of software developer, which was created to meet the increasing demand for out-of-the-box software and module solutions.
As a developer, David has played an active role in architecting and developing several of CCI’s specialized software products and key modules utilizing a variety of tools and languages such as SIMPL#, Python, Javascript and more.
David holds over a dozen manufacturer and industry certifications including the InfoComm CTS, AMX Solutions Master, Extron Python Programmer certification and Crestron Silver-level Master Programmer certification.
David has completed extensive design coursework and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts in New York City.
Adam Hanson
Adam brings over 20 years of software development and product management experience to Control Concepts, Inc. as an enthusiastic software engineer and solutions architect.
Adam began his career in the AV industry in 2002 as a Senior Software Engineer at Crestron Electronics, Inc. During his 14 year tenure, Adam contributed to several projects including the first software configuration tools for touch-settable devices. Most notably, Adam developed Crestron’s initial offering of centralized management and monitoring software called RoomView, later known as RoomView Express. As RoomView evolved into RoomView Server Edition and subsequently Crestron Fusion, so did Adam’s role. He progressed from an engineering lead into Technology Manager, where he led product development efforts by analyzing industry trends and working closely with partners such as Microsoft to develop new features. Adam co-authored three patents awarded for scalable software design concepts during his tenure at Crestron.
Adam’s expertise in a variety of programming languages and platforms such as C, C++, and C# and Windows, Linux, MacOS, and iOS are indicative of the diversity and breadth of knowledge offered by the Control Concepts software development team.
Currently, Adam is pursuing Crestron programming certification to round out his skill set as a control system software developer.
Adam holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Imaging Science from the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Mike Spadafora
Mike Spadafora has been a part of the AV industry since 2014. He joins the team with an enthusiasm for music, the outdoors, and cooking. Mike brings not only his experience to Control Concepts, but a promise of expanded capability, flexibility, and added offerings for clients.
Mike began his career working as an installation technician then advancing to the level of a field engineer before eventually finding his passion as a control system programmer. Armed with a strong professional background in audio DSP programming, audio engineering, and system commissioning, Mike adds a new dimension to complement Control Concepts’ core offering of control system programming.
Additionally, Mike’s extensive hands-on AV experience provides Control Concepts’ clients added support both remotely and in the field. Mike also supports his fellow home cooks and bakers with his cooking page on Instagram and Facebook called Spaddy Daddy’s Kitchen (@spaddydaddyskitchen).
Throughout his career, Mike has earned 10+ certifications including: Biamp Tesira, Biamp VoIP, Audinate Dante, Symetrix, and ClearOne. He is currently working toward Crestron programming and Extron configuration certifications.
Mike holds an Associate of Arts in Music from Raritan Valley Community College, and is an avid musician. He was the first music artist to record at YouTube Space in Los Angeles. Mike has completed a full-length solo album. When not in the studio, Mike loves camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities, and is almost done backpacking the New Jersey section of the Appalachian Trail.
Victoria Rook (Grupp)
A creative at heart, Victoria Grupp brings a fresh perspective to all of her technical and programming endeavors. Since 2017 Victoria has established herself in the AV industry developing programming skills for Crestron, Extron, and AMX control systems as she earned several industry relevant certifications.
Before starting her career in the AV industry Victoria worked on projects that bridged her love of music, physical technology, and programming involving textile MIDI instruments and controllers. One of her notable accomplishments was to earn a semi-finalist placement in the international Guthman Musical Instrument Competition hosted by Georgia Tech in 2017. Her instrument known as Track It, Zip It was performed, presented, and judged for one of the three finalist positions.
Outside of technology, Victoria has a passion for running, cycling, reading, and writing. She can often be found on the Hudson River Greenway when the weather is beautiful! Her passion for digital art, programming, and the AV industry is rooted in their constant advancements, making true mastery a forever goal. Victoria shows up daily for the challenge and looks forward to consistently growing with Control Concepts and the industry!
Victoria earned a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Art from Stetson University. At SU she learned to grow with technological developments and apply creative perspectives to them.
Jen Edelstein
Brittany DiCesare
As a musician with a passion for building relationships, Brittany DiCesare brings an affinity for audiovisual technology, an engaging personality, a mature business acumen, and a commitment to success to her role and team within an organization.
During her first taste of AV in 2015, Brittany embraced the opportunity to manage technology for her church and was intrigued to learn more about what careers in the AV industry had to offer.
It was in 2018, as the Manager of Member Programs with AVIXA, that Brittany honed her skills in business operations and team engagement through overseeing nine councils comprised of a cross-section of disciplines and interests, including the highly successful global Women’s Council. These councils not only provided immersion into the audiovisual community and insight into the business relationships of the industry, they were critical to member engagement and retention.
With a passionate attitude, authenticity, and energetic nature, Brittany is committed to sharing her love for the industry and helping clients succeed through building rewarding relationships. Relationship development, operational efficiency, organizational growth, and contributing to a thriving company culture are some of the special skills that are synonymous with Brittany.
When not working, Brittany spends her time engaging with her two little ones, her husband and her two pups. She enjoys listening to music, catching up on a good book, and playing disc golf with her rambunctious family.
Brittany holds a BS in Worship and Music Studies from Liberty University.
