Joe Delgado, Bevan Wright, and David Richards, three well-known and highly respected
long-time players in the cinema exhibition industry, have formed Moving Image Technologies
(MIT), with plans to become the premiere manufacturer and integrator of presentation
equipment specifically designed for the cinema exhibition industry. They have been
joined by Phil Rafnson and Glenn Sherman, PhD, two senior executives with extensive
industry experience. MIT’s corporate headquarters, manufacturing and demonstration
facilities will be strategically located in Orange County California, just minutes
from John Wayne airport and close to Los Angeles International and Ontario International
airports.
MIT is developing a full complement of cinema exhibition equipment, including
35 mm film projectors, illumination systems and film transport systems; digital
technology solutions for pre-feature, on-screen advertising and alternative content;
and solutions to support the industry’s transition to digital cinema. The company’s
first products will be introduced at the cinema exhibition industry’s ShowEast 2003
convention in Orlando, September 29 to October 2. A complete complement of products
will be demonstrated in Las Vegas at the industry’s premier convention, ShoWest,
in March 2004.
“There’s a need in the exhibition market to get back to basics, to focus on the
exhibition customers’ primary needs and requirements,” said Joe Delgado, Executive
Vice President, Sales and Marketing. “That’s the core of the business that’s being
neglected by other manufacturers. This has created the opportunity for a new company
to step forward and satisfy those needs.”
MIT's stated mission is to have the most talented, passionate people in cinema
working to provide the best presentation tools for the cinema exhibition industry.
Additional information about MIT is available on their web site,
http://www.movingimagetech.com.
FOUNDERS
Joe Delgado, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing: Previous to co-founding
Moving Image Technologies, Joe Delgado spent the past fifteen years at Christie
Digital Systems in increasingly responsible positions, as National Sales Manager,
Director of Sales, and Vice President of Sales. During his tenure he increased by
10-fold the cinema presentation product sales of Christie, helping the company become
a major force in the cinema industry. Previously he held various positions at JVC,
including Sales Representative for video products for Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
Bevan Wright, Executive Vice President, Operations: Previous to co-founding Moving
Image Technologies, Bevan Wright spent the past eight years as Engineering Manager
at Christie Digital Systems, directing product development and manufacturing engineering
support for all cinema product lines, managing the product lines to develop and
bring to market fully integrated solutions for cinema exhibitors. The previous nine
years he held engineering and operations positions at Christie, United Artists,
and other exhibitors. He holds the Bachelors of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering
from Arizona State University, and two patents in cinema projection technology.
David Richards, Vice President, Engineering: Previous to co-founding Moving Image
Technologies, David Richards spent the past five years in engineering and engineering
management positions at Christie Digital Systems. He has been active in the film
industry for 12 years, and a member of the Society of Motion Picture and Television
Engineers (SMPTE) for the past 18 years. He currently serves on several of the SMPTE
DC28 digital cinema committees as well as the Film Technology committee and Projection
Technology committee. Mr. Richards is past chair of the SMPTE Hollywood section
('96-'97), and was Program Chair for the first and second SMPTE Film Conferences,
held in 1997 and 1998. He is the author of several papers and articles for various
trade publications. He has a background in mechanical and electrical engineering
design.
Glenn Sherman, PhD, President and CEO: Previous to co-founding Moving Image Technologies,
Glenn Sherman had over twenty-five years leading and building technology companies,
including nineteen years as founder, Chairman, President and CEO of Laser Power
Corporation, growing the company to $35 million and taking it public through an
IPO; one year as President and CEO of Christie Digital Systems; and one year as
President and CEO of a company working on a unique digital cinema projector. At
Laser Power, he led extensive efforts to develop laser projectors for digital cinema.
He has a strong background in manufacturing, marketing and sales, product engineering,
research and development, and finance. He acquired five companies and built strategic
relationships with major companies worldwide. He has extensive international experience,
including an acquisition in Belgium, strategic relationships with companies in Japan
and Europe, and building a low cost manufacturing facility in Mexico. Dr. Sherman
holds the BS, MS and PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois.
Phil Rafnson, Chairman: Phil Rafnson has been a major player in the cinema equipment
business for over 30 years, going from a sound engineer for RCA Service Co., to
National Sales Manager for Xetron Inc., to President and owner of MTS (Media Technology
Source), the largest cinema equipment distribution company in the world. He sold
MTS in 1999. He has served as board member of the International Theatre Equipment
Association for 12 years and officer and president of that association for more
than 4 years.