In addition to leading AVI Systems as the chief technology officer, Brad Sousa was an industry visionary — speaking about how the future of work was experience-based way back in 2018 (well before the pandemic pushed us that way). And, his vision for AV’s impact on the future of the esports market helped drive AVIXA to build and host an esports pavilion at InfoComm earlier this year.

Sadly, Brad passed away while in Austin, Texas, last night. He was to keynote the AVI Live event Wednesday, Nov. 8.

“This tragic news affects so many people, including Brad’s loved ones, our AVI Systems family, and the entire audiovisual and unified collaboration industry,” said Jeff Stoebner, CEO, AVI Systems. “Brad joined AVI more than 15 years ago and has been instrumental in elevating our industry and the work our employees do across industries and around the world. He is an irreplaceable, amazing human being, a father, grandfather, and a person who truly cared about everyone he worked with or spoke with. Our hearts go out to his entire family at this difficult time.”

Brad was named chief technology officer of AVI Systems in 2016, after serving as both the director of Unified Collaboration and entering the role with more than 20 years of experience as a leader in the professional audiovisual technology industry. He led teams and organizations to develop different competencies and product offerings for people in the private and public sectors, education and healthcare.

Brad was also a frequent speaker at symposiums and workshops, addressing the application of visual collaboration technology and the creation of human impact for all who used AV and UC solutions. He also served on the board of AVIXA, and was a three-time recipient of the Smithsonian Award for Technology in Academics. Brad pioneered the use of MPEG multicast for statewide and district-wide distance learning applications with notable programs such as Hacienda LaPuete’ USD (three-time recipient of the Smithsonian Award for Technology in Academics), the Modern Red School House (Kayenta USD) and The Cascade Consortium (a distance learning network supporting central Washington State).

Here’s AVI Systems’ President Jeff Stoebner’s full tribute to Brad Sousa on LinkedIn:

I had an opportunity to tour the USA with Brad from 2015-2020 at various AVI LIVE events and co-keynote with him. He was sooooooooo good at understanding the right mix of tech with a people-centered approach to systems design. But, most importantly, he was just a really nice guy. I am sad today about the loss of Brad, as our industry lost an amazing guy. AVI Systems lost a leader with passion and kindness and his family loss a dad and husband. RIP Brad.

Here’s what I said about him this morning on rAVe [TV]:

Brad was a native Seattle, Washington. He and his wife, Janelle, spent their time together with family in San Diego and Nashville.