Shaping homes for the future

Chad Carney, the General Manager and one of the co-owners of AV & Automation Specialists, brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the company. Originally from a small rural farm town in Clarksville, Ohio, Chad moved to Tucson, Arizona, in 1988. True to his roots, Chad has always upheld the values of hard work, persistence, loyalty, and a commitment to excellence — traits instilled in him by his family.

Chad is the proud father of two beautiful daughters and remains happily married to his high school sweetheart, whom he met during his senior year in Tucson. Nationally recognized for his work in designing and building nightclubs across the United States and Mexico, Chad eventually shifted his focus to the local residential and commercial markets to stay closer to his family.

Chad's journey as an entrepreneur began in 1994 when he founded Millennium Electrical Systems (M.E.S.) after the sudden closure of a prominent nightclub and audio-video company where he had worked. During his time there, Chad was responsible for the design and installation of hundreds of commercial and residential audio, video, lighting, and nightclub systems nationwide.

Driven by his passion for the trade and a relentless commitment to client satisfaction, Chad has guided the company from its humble beginnings to become one of Southern Arizona's leading providers of audio, video, and electronic integration solutions.

I have always had a deep passion for the Electronics Integration industry. From the moment I could speak, I was captivated by Audio and Video technology — one of my first words was actually "Speaker." Music is a huge part of my life, and nothing beats enjoying it on a high-quality sound system.

My journey into this field began early on, influenced by my uncle, who was a professional in the integration industry. Growing up, I would eagerly anticipate visits to his Hi-Fi/Home Theater retail store in Dallas, TX. At just 14 years old, during one of these visits, I found myself in the store showing a new customer the theater room and even managed to schedule an appointment for my uncle. That experience was exhilarating, and I knew right then that this was the industry for me.

At 21, while working in room service at a resort in Tucson, I took a second job at a local home theater retail store. My enthusiasm for the work quickly led me to pursue it full-time. After six years in that role, I decided to start my own custom AV integration business. With just two technicians and myself, we successfully completed numerous projects, building a solid reputation from 2004 to 2016.

In 2016, I merged my company with AV Specialists, which was a turning point. Our shared mission was to deliver the best products, services, and client care. This vision expanded further when, in January 2024, AV Specialists merged with Automation Specialists. The combination of these two like-minded companies has doubled our size and significantly enhanced our offerings.

Kelly Carney was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, after her parents relocated from New York to build a family and pursue new opportunities. She attended school in the Marana School District, where she met her husband, Chad Carney, during their senior year. Together, they have been blessed with two wonderful daughters, Karissa and Camryn, who have since grown into remarkable adults.

In her professional role, Kelly serves as the Office and Finance Manager for AV & Automation Specialists, where she plays a pivotal role in overseeing the company's financial operations. Her solid foundation in financial management and bookkeeping stems from her three years of accounting coursework at Pima Community College.

Outside of work, Kelly finds joy in various outdoor activities, including camping (with a preference for "glamping"), trail riding, and off-roading with her family in their UTV and Jeep. She also enjoys traveling, solving puzzles, and hosting gatherings for friends and family.

I have lived in Tucson since the age of two and consider myself a Tucson native. After studying computer science at U of A, I really wanted to find a career working for a local company rather than a large corporation and I am very glad that I found AV and Automation Specialists. In my first year with the company, I worked as an installation technician, focused on absorbing as much as I could about the industry and learning what is needed to take a project from start to finish. Next, I moved into a service technician position maintaining smart home systems the company had already installed. Now in a customer service role, I work directly with clients designing the systems that make their wants and needs a reality.

During my time as a technician, I found myself particularly intrigued with projects incorporating whole home control and centralized lighting systems. I have continued my training with lighting and whole home control systems while also training with motorized shading systems, and I now consider these three areas my specialties.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family whenever possible. We have a three-year-old daughter who keeps us on our toes! I also love getting out on the golf course when I can or catching a U of A basketball game. Go Cats!

Seth Goyne grew up just northwest of Chicago in Skokie, Illinois, where he excelled as a high school athlete, playing football, baseball, and occasionally hockey. After high school, Seth attended community college before embarking on a career in law enforcement. As a sworn Law Enforcement Officer, he served with dedication until an on-the-job injury led to his early retirement.

Seeking a new path, Seth transitioned into personal protection and bodyguard work before ultimately finding his passion in the IT field. It was during this time that he began receiving requests for AV work, sparking his love for the industry. This led Seth to close his IT business and join a national AV company as a senior installer, where he managed everything from a single digital signage screen for a national clothing chain to a national rollout of AV systems in 125 malls across the country — including all related trades and permitting.

Seth relocated to Tucson in 2009 and quickly fell in love with the area. His unwavering attention to detail and unmatched professionalism eventually led him to join AV Specialists, now AV & Automation Specialists. In his free time, Seth enjoys custom woodworking, golfing, fishing, and hunting. He is also a certified Firearms Instructor and Range Safety Officer.