I recently sat down with Eric Joy, Chief Experience Officer, Georgia Home Theater and a HTSA Board Member.
Maureen Jenson: Congratulations on your board appointment at HTSA. Please tell our Technology Insider readers about your background?
Eric Joy: Thanks Maureen! I’ve pretty much spent my entire adult life in this industry. I started out working at Georgia Home Theater back in my early 20’s, when we were still Laserdisc Enterprises. Our company, and the industry, has certainly evolved tremendously over the past two and a half decades. I worked for the company for about a dozen years, when at that point I took the opportunity to join the manufacturing side of the industry.
My good friend and mentor Doug Henderson was the VP for Bowers & Wilkins at the time. B&W was also my favorite vendor to work with and they recruited me. I spent eight years with B&W, and the ability to travel the entire country, learning from the best dealers (including many in the HTSA group) has proven an invaluable asset in my return back to GHT.
MJ: Tell us about Georgia Home Theater, how long have you been in business and are there any secrets to your success?
EJ: We just celebrated our 30th anniversary last year. It started out as a “for fun” business for my father-in-law, selling laserdisc movies and players out of his garage in 1989.
I believe there are a couple of key factors that have led to our success: We are at the forefront of many exciting emerging industry trends. Being the first in our market to adapt to new categories makes us the market leader, and the greatest resource for area consumer knowledge, that and our company’s commitment to client satisfaction is unparalleled.
MJ: Why did you join HTSA in the first place?
EJ: The obvious reason is the great manufacturer programs. However, the most beneficial part of being a group member is the learning/education and networking opportunities. Being a part of a group that helps us identify the emerging categories of our industry at such an early stage is paramount; it makes us the market leaders. We do it first, and we do it best!
MJ: Why did you accept a position on the board?
EJ: I feel very fortunate that I’ve had the ability to work in multiple aspects of this industry, on the dealer side and the manufacturer side. I feel that I’ve got a unique insight of the overall industry and can bring a fresh prospective to the group.
MJ: Anything else you would like our readers to know about yourself?
EJ: I love to network and share ideas. I am available anytime to discuss business…or rock & roll…or craft beer…or bourbon.