Join UTOPIA editors and our panel of experts for this exclusive 45-minute webinar on tips, trends, and best practices for building (and successfully selling) smart and connected homes.
Our expert panel includes a smart home tech expert with a homebuilding giant, one of the nation's leading smart home technology integrators, a home tech startup founder, and UTOPIA editors, who will present fresh research on trends and best practices in building smart and connected homes.
This free webinar is hosted by UTOPIA and is supported by our sponsor partners: Boral Building Products, JELD-WEN, Mitsubishi Electric, Orro, and Panasonic.
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Our expert panel includes:
FELICIA RATKA
President
TBI Smart Home Solutions, Toll Brothers
Felicia Ratka is the president of TBI Smart Home Solutions, a subsidiary of Toll Brothers, Inc., the nation’s leading builder of luxury homes. As a senior leader, corporate officer and compliance manager with 20+ years’ experience, she has a demonstrated history of growth and expansion of home security, smart home technology and low voltage sales in the new home construction industry. During her tenure at Toll Brothers, Felicia has managed the licensing, sales and expansion of home security offerings. She is also responsible for writing the scope of home technology options available for buyers in communities and markets across 24 states nationwide, driving an average of $20+ million annually in option revenue directly related technology and low voltage.
RON WANLESS
Owner & Founder
Technology Design Associates
Technology Design Associates is an HTA (Home Technology Association) Luxury Certified premier custom, luxury smart home automation designer and integrator. Based in Bend, Ore., with sales and installation offices throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California, Nevada, and Arizona, TDA specializes in making a house a home by simplifying the control of all systems (TV, music, heating and cooling, security, lighting, cameras, and any other control devices). The company’s founder and lead systems designer, Ron Wanless, has been designing custom electronic systems throughout the West Coast since 1982. He has designed systems for homes ranging from 2,000 to 50,000 square feet, and continues to attend training in product updates and system design every year to keep up with the latest technologies available in the industry. Wanless also holds a low voltage electrical license as well as a Designer, Installer, COI, and Network certification from CEDIA (Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association).
COLIN BILLINGS
Founder & CEO
ORRO
Colin Billings is the CEO and founder of Orro, the maker of the Orro Smart Living System and solutions for home builders looking to unlock the smart home opportunity in their projects. He leads a team dedicated to helping people thrive at home through products that bring about the future of living through technology focused on supporting human life and connection. Prior to Orro, Colin was part of the founding team at Stitcher, the largest independent destination for streaming podcasts. At Stitcher, he led growth and monetization before the companies sale to Deezer in 2014. He has held positions at other leading media companies like Electronic Arts and Sony Pictures Entertainment. Colin graduated from UCLA with a BA in Political Theory and holds a JD/MBA from UC Hastings and the University of San Francisco. Outside of the office (home office these days), he can be found hiking with his daughter in Golden Gate Park, trying to weld something or finding his way to a destination without WiFi.
DAVID BARISTA
Content Director, UTOPIA
Editorial Director, Building Design+Construction
David Barista has covered the U.S. construction industry for more than 19 years, including multiple editorial roles at Building Design+Construction magazine, where he currently serves as Editorial Director. He also leads content direction for UTOPIA, SGC Horizon’s new media platform for innovation and advancements in the U.S. housing sector. During his tenure at BD+C, Barista has led the development and planning of two national events; launched several award-winning editorial programs; created the publication’s Daily 5 newsletter; and established content partnerships with more than 45 leading AEC firms. Previously, he was Editor-in-Chief of ProBuilder, Custom Builder, and ProBuilder.com, properties that combined reach more than 200,000 residential design and construction professionals. Dave is a six-time Jesse H. Neal Award winner, and a seven-time finalist. He’s also won numerous editorial awards from the Construction Media Alliance and the American Society of Business Publication Editors.
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