OMAHA, Neb.—Apr 25, 2006
Ballantyne of Omaha Names John Wolski
Vice President - Strong Digital Systems
Appointment of 35 Years Industry Executive Reflects Ballantyne's
Commitment to Digital Cinema Long-term Growth Strategy
Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc. (Amex: BTN), a manufacturer of motion
picture projection and specialty lighting equipment, announced today
that John Wolski, 50, has been named Vice President - Strong Digital
Systems, a new position at the Company. The appointment highlights
Ballantyne's commitment to leverage its industry relationships and
distribution network during the industry's transition to digital
cinema technology and its focus on this long-term growth opportunity.
Mr. Wolski reports directly to Ballantyne President and Chief
Executive Officer, John P. Wilmers.
Mr. Wolski's responsibilities at Ballantyne include the management
of the company's partnership with NEC Solutions (America) whereby
Ballantyne will distribute NEC's digital systems, implementing and
organizing sales, service, training programs and consulting. Mr.
Wolski will also help to establish and then oversee the company's
digital cinema service network initiative.
Mr. Wolski, brings 35 years of motion picture theatre exhibition
experience to his new role at Ballantyne. Prior to joining the
company, Mr. Wolski was Vice President of Projection and Sound for
Loews Cineplex Entertainment, the operator of 2,100 movie screens in
approximately 200 theatres worldwide, inclusive of 25 D-Cinema
locations in the US. Before joining Loews Cineplex Entertainment in
2000, Mr. Wolski was with Cineplex Odeon Corp. beginning in 1986 and
served initially as Director of Projection and Sound and later as
Director of Projection and Sound Service & Supply. He held prior
positions in motion picture exhibition at Plitt Theatres, Inc. and ABC
Great States Mgmt. Corporation beginning in 1971.
John P. Wilmers, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Ballantyne, commented, "The industry's transition to digital cinema is
continuing to gain momentum and Ballantyne is well positioned to
participate as the transition occurs. We are very pleased to be able
to add someone with John's tremendous wealth of industry experience
and relationships, as we believe he is uniquely qualified to lead our
efforts in bringing digital cinema to the marketplace which includes
more than 37,000 movie screens in North America. In addition to his
digital responsibilities John will oversee our planned service network
that will both add value for client's digital cinema installations and
create a new revenue source for the company."
Mr. Wolski also brings over eight years of participation and
membership in industry and trade groups that are focused on creating
the user requirements and standards for the transition from
35mm-to-digital film in motion picture exhibition. From 1999-2006 he
served on the Board of Directors of the National Association of
Theatre Owners (NATO) and currently is a member of the Society of
Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), the Inter-Society for
Enhancement of Theatrical Presentation and the International Theatre
Equipment Association (ITEA).