MEA announced awards for 2018 including Installer of the Year, won by David Cruz of Avant Garde Design, FL and Runner Up Installer of the Year, Erick Markland of Markland Designs of Atlanta, GA.
The Retailer of the Year Single Store winner was Sound Wave Customs of VA and the Retailer of the Year, Store Chain winner was Mobile Toys, TX.
Shaughnessy Murley of Visions Electronics, Canada won for Trusted Tech, and Edgar Diasdado of Mobile Toys, TX won for Rookie of the Year. Amari Schwartz of Perfectionist Auto Sound, AK won for Sales Pro of the Year. SoundFX, DE won Expeditor of the Year.
Vendor of the Year went to Sony for its dedication to the 12 volt specialist. Additionally, JL Audio, Kenwood, Firstech, Metra and Sony again won Top Vendor in various categories.
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award went to Eddy Kay, a musician who ended up working at University Stereo, CA and becoming an industry leading salesman. He went on to become a rep and then an executive at Al & Ed’s Autosound and later at an executive at Clifford Electronics, He is regarded as one of the greatest salesmen in our business, and one who taught many of the industry leaders how to be successful. (See photos at www.facebook.com/ceoutlook)
Numerous other awards included Distributor of the Year, Dow, and Expeditor of the Year, Sound FX, DE.
Top photo: David Cruz, Installer of the Year 2018
