Shaping homes for the future

Brian Beezley is the Operations Manager at AV & Automation Specialists LLC, where his strategic vision and operational expertise continue to propel the company forward. As the former General Manager of Automation Specialists, Inc., Brian has seamlessly transitioned into his new role following the merger in January of 2024, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a track record of success.

At Automation Specialists, Brian re-joined the business in 2019, invigorating the team with his passion for innovation and excellence. He led the company with a focus on team building and tackling challenges through outside-the-box thinking. His leadership was instrumental in setting business goals, improving procedures, and managing a high-performing team across sales, operations, and service departments.

With over 30 years in low voltage communications technology, Brian’s career has been defined by pivotal roles, including Operations Manager & Market Director at Johnson Controls/Simplex Grinnell and Service & Installation Manager at Red Hawk Fire & Security. His extensive technical certifications and Project Management Professional (PMP) certification are a testament to his dedication to continuous learning and professional growth.

In his current capacity as Operations Manager, Brian is dedicated to leading AV & Automation Specialists LLC into a prosperous future. He applies his deep industry knowledge and operational acumen to enhance the company’s performance, ensuring that the legacy of quality and customer satisfaction established by Automation Specialists is carried on and expanded upon.

Outside of work, Brian is a devoted family man and an enthusiast of the great outdoors. Whether it’s 4-wheeling, range shooting, watching NFL football, or building personal computers, Brian approaches his hobbies with the same fervor and precision that he applies to his professional endeavors.

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. Today, AV & Automation Specialists continues to thrive, offering top-tier services backed in part by Chad’s decades of expertise and unwavering dedication.

Jim started working with audio systems for live performance while in High School in central Pennsylvania.  As a musician playing live shows on a teenager’s budget, he learned how to be his own sound engineer.  A passion was formed for the industry early on. In 2000 Jim moved to Arizona, and when the opportunity presented itself, chose to make a career in the Audio Video Industry.

Working side by side with Chad Carney for over 20 years Jim has led the way with many projects both commercial and residential.  As the Sales Manager for AV & Automation Specialists, Jim guides the team to provide the best solutions to meet and exceed the customer’s needs and ensure satisfaction with every installation.  In his personal life Jim is a proud father of two young men and works to help them achieve success in their lives as they start their own careers and families.  He still plays drums and occasionally still has live performances.  Along with his passion for technology, growing up in the woods and farms of central Pennsylvania gave him a deep appreciation for nature.  Whenever there is a chance, he is off the grid, and as far-removed from electronics as possible.

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. This partnership has been transformative, and I am excited about the future of AV & Automation Specialists.

Outside of work, I spend quality time with my two children, Carson (22) and Camryn (18). My son shares my passion for audio and enjoys playing in his band and producing music—he has an exceptional ear for sound. My daughter is a talented artist, creating artwork for local musicians’ album covers and promotional materials. Watching them pursue their passions and thrive in their respective fields brings me immense joy.

I provide engineering to our techs. I joined the Automation Specialists in December 2012 as a service technician. I was the service manager at another company in town for 17 years before joining this team. I strive to resolve system issues while also educating customers. The technology of the time is always changing, but not always improving. My goal is to help our team understand and implement the technology as it changes.

I grew up in south western Pennsylvania. My family owned a company that installed security, camera, fire and business phone systems. We worked primarily on the commercial side of the industry. I worked for our company through high school and into my late twenties. I was selling, installing and servicing systems. When we sold our company, I started work for a company building and servicing computers. With advances in technology these two industries have come together, as everything is computerized. I have an Associate Degree in Electronics. I have always taken the opportunities provided to gain education through manufactures on products.

My free time is spent with my family and friends. I enjoy RV trips, vacationing and just relaxing. I enjoy projects around the house and helping friends and family.

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. These activities bring balance and fulfillment to Kelly’s life, allowing her to create cherished memories with her loved ones.

Marcus Finch is one of the Project Managers at AV and Automation Specialists, with a deep-rooted passion for the AV industry that began at a young age. Born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, Marcus grew up in a humble military family and attended Sunnyside High School, where he played baseball.

In 2012, Marcus began his career in low-voltage systems under the mentorship of his uncle, Ben White, a well-known project manager for commercial data infrastructure. Eager to advance quickly to a Project Manager role, Marcus undertook extensive training in various systems, including Crestron, Control4, and numerous access control systems. He is also on the verge of completing his PMP certification.

Throughout his career, Marcus has managed many commercial projects for prominent organizations such as the University of Arizona, Pima Community College, Raytheon, the City of Tucson, and Tucson Unified School District, among others. Joining AV and Automation Specialists was a significant opportunity for Marcus, allowing him to work with a dedicated team committed to bringing joy to customers’ lives.

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 newfound passion led Seth to close his IT business and join a national AV company as a senior installer. In this role, he managed a range of projects, from installing a single digital signage screen for a national clothing chain to overseeing a national rollout of AV systems in 125 malls across the country. His responsibilities included managing all related trades, permitting, and resolving the inevitable challenges that arose during these large-scale projects.

Seth relocated to Tucson in 2009 and quickly fell in love with the area. After being laid off in 2010, he decided to make Tucson his permanent home, launching a successful career in southern Arizona. His unwavering attention to detail and unmatched professionalism eventually led him to join AV Specialists, now known as 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.

Roland Armenta is the service manager for Automation Specialist Inc. Roland has been involved and passionate about the AV industry since a young age. Born and raised in Tucson Arizona, Roland was brought up in a tight niched family full of musicians. Being introduced to musical instruments and live performance equipment sparked Rolands’s interest for the audio field. Roland had a short career as a vocalist allowing him to express his musical talent through song and music production. In 2005 – 2006 Roland along with a couple other musicians’ debuted at 16 on the Billboard top 100 for single sales. Shortly after Roland was blessed with his first son giving him the motivation to further his knowledge into the audio and video world. In early 2007 he secured a career with one of the largest American multinational consumer electronics retailer and spent the next 14 years learning all the ins and outs about how this amazing company was ran. This Fortune 500 company would give Roland the building blocks to grow in this industry. Starting off as a sales representative and working his way through the ranks his first 7 years with the company taught Roland not only about the products, but also what it takes to be a great leader. The other 7 years were spent as one of the companies installation technician bringing customers smart home dreams to life. Being trained in all of the latest and greatest technology by most of the major audio/video manufacturers gave Roland the knowledge and confidence to become the technician he is today. Since early 2021 Roland has been employed with Automation Specialists Inc. starting off as a lead technician then moving up to the service manager position.

“Family First“ is one of Roland’s favorite mottos. Outside of work he is driven and motivated by his family. Roland and his beautiful wife are blessed with a wonderful son and a beautiful baby girl. They also share 2 beautiful bonus special needs children ages 15 and 17. Family get togethers and holiday events are what warms Roland’s heart.

Motorcycles have always been one of Roland’s biggest hobbies. Weekend rides and fundraisers usually fill his weekends when he is not spending it with family. Fast cars and being outdoors are just a couple of his other hobbies.

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. I 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 where I was tasked with maintaining smart home systems that had already been installed by the company. Now in a customer service role, I am able to 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 been able to continue 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. Given that technology is constantly evolving, I am always striving to continue learning, and at AV and Automation Specialists we all work very hard to stay on the cutting edge of what is currently being offered in smart home technology!

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family whenever possible. We have a three-year-old daughter who keeps us on our toes! She is the most challenging job we have had, but without a doubt the most rewarding! I also love getting out on the golf course when I can or catching a U of A basketball game. Go Cats!

I was born and raised here in Tucson, Az and am true Tucson native. After high school moved and went to experience the Midwest and lived in the snow and cold of Wisconsin but found myself missing home so I moved back to Tucson and began working for Best Buy in the home theater department. As I progressed in sales I was offered a position to work in the warehouse for Best Buy and that is what started me on the path of running a warehouse that I have enjoyed and continued on now for the last 10 years. I have worked in and ran a few warehouses before I was offered a position as a service tech with Automation Specialists. The opportunity for me to manage and run the warehouse for Automation Specialists came at a perfect time and I have happily been managing all of the moving bits and pieces of the warehouse since 2022 and am excited to continue to grow with this company for many years to come.

In my free time I like to spend as much of it golfing and being around friends and family. I try to spend most of my time being outside as much as the Tucson heat will allow and get out of town to go camping when it’s too hot. I love going to any live sporting event that I can and especially love football. Go bears!