Our Team

Our team has decades of experience in AV technology and events. That means we know what to look for when prepping an AV setup for any kind of event, large or small. We solve problems before they occur, so your event runs smoothly.

Ricardo Hicks, Jr.

President / CEO

Ricardo Hicks, Jr., is the owner of Tech Factory. With more than 20 years in the hospitality industry, Ricardo has been a Night Auditor (while in college), Assistant Controller, and has worked in Hotel Audiovisual services through the years.

Ricardo earned his BA in Music Technology from North Carolina A&T State University. Immediately after graduation, he taught Music Technology at Weaver High School in Greensboro, NC. While teaching, he also worked at Malibu Recording Studio as an audio engineer. There his passion for technology began to flourish. After a few years, he discovered the intersection between his hospitality experience and technical expertise: corporate audiovisual production. This began in 2005 with PSAV in Atlanta, GA and has continued until now. Ricardo has progressed through the positions of Audiovisual Technician, Hotel Director, Project Manager and Regional Sales Manager prior to starting Tech Factory.

Ricardo has trained more than 12 technicians that work in the Audio-Visual industry of the Carolinas. With a passion for craft, client, and culture, Ricardo continues to find ways to push the events industry forward.

MPI Carolinas

Ricardo is a member of MPI Carolinas Chapter. President of MPI Carolinas (2021-2022 term).

AENC

Ricardo is a member of the Association Executives of North Carolina.

ESPA

Ricardo is a member of the Event Service Professional Association.

FUN FACT

Ricardo is a big fan of R/C cars. He’ll probably race with you if you ask him.

Lindsay Clapp, CMP, CGSP®

Event Manager

After earning her degree in Hospitality Management, with a concentration in Special Events and Conventions and a minor in Business Administration from East Carolina University, Lindsay quickly put her new skill set to work. After spending four years in Greensboro, NC, working in the hotel industry, she accepted a position as Event Manager at the Raleigh Convention Center.

During her 6 years there, Lindsay planned and managed countless meetings, trade shows, galas, conventions, banquets, and luncheons. The list of events she’s been entrusted with is impressively long, however a few highlights include:

  • The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) World of Bluegrass Festival
  • The American Heart Association’s Heart Ball
  • Lenovo North American Sales Kickoff
  • R6 Raleigh Major Gaming Conference
  • Animazement
  • Spring and Fall Home Shows
  • WakeMed Hospital Gala
  • YMCA Youth and Government Conference
  • North Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children Conference (NCAEYC.)

In 2019, Lindsay pivoted her skill set and started working in Audio Visual and Production. Now, she is working with Tech Factory as Event Manager, where she provides cross-functional communication and coordination with their production team to offer customized solutions and optimal client experiences.

ESPA

Lindsay is a member of the Event Service Professional Association.

AENC

Lindsay is a member of the Association Executives of North Carolina.

FUN FACT

Loves the outdoors, playing softball and volleyball, painting, or crafting.

Member of MPI Carolinas Chapter

Jeremy Newsome

Project Manager

Jeremy has known and worked with Ricardo Hicks for over ten years. He began his journey into the Audio-Visual industry as an Audio Technician at a local church in Raleigh, NC. Since then, he has amassed a wide range of experience in the field ranging from Audio-Visual installations, operating corporate meeting facilities, overseeing and executing the production of corporate and social events, to serving as a Hotel Audio Visual Director in the Raleigh/Durham area and managing and producing over dozens of virtual and hybrid conferences.

As the son of an army veteran, Jeremy traveled quite a bit as a youth and it’s those life experiences – meeting different people in diverse environments – that has helped shape his approach to working with clients. He seeks to use audiovisual media as a conduit to facilitate positive engagement among attendees, fostering successful events. Jeremy is now working for Tech Factory as a Production Manager utilizing his experience and expertise to execute events efficiently.

Adrien Boone

Operations Manager

Adrien “Swiss-Army Knife” Boone is Operations Manager at Tech Factory with over a decade of management experience in the hospitality industry. Getting his start in the restaurant business as a dishwasher, he quickly rose through the ranks and became manager at 18 years old. He continued to excel and impress and soon found himself operating as General Manager just a few years later.

Fast forward to the present day, Adrien has translated those skills over to the Audio-Visual industry where he continues to strive to elevate the business and people around him each day. 

FUN FACT

He is a die hard Lakers fan.

Member of MPI Carolinas Chapter

Gabriel Smith

Art Director
Owner of AnimNation

Gabriel has been a character animator for over 14 years, and has worked on projects with DreamWorks, Namco, RCA, Intel and more. He has created animations and motion graphics for commercials, holograms, virtual events, and video games like:

  • Kung Fu Panda Showdown of Legendary Legends
  • Pac-Man & The Ghostly Adventures 1 & 2
  • Ben 10 Omniverse
  • and more

Gabriel combines technology with his continuous study of movement, music, and expression to achieve beautiful aesthetics.

FUN FACT

Received a RIAA Gold Plaque for Trey Songz Album  ‘Chapter V’

Why Us?

Consultative

You don’t know what you don’t know, that’s why we’re here. Does your event require five microphones, or just two? What size audio speakers best fit your venue and the number of attendees? Are you livestreaming? How? We listen, making sure we understand your goals and the finer details, to tailor an option that works best for your needs and your budget. That’s one less thing for you to worry about!

Knowledgeable & well-trained workers

Our team has decades of combined experience in hospitality, AV technology, and event planning. That means we know what to look for when prepping an AV setup for any kind of event, large or small. We’re always looking for problems before they occur, so we don’t have any surprises on your Big Day.

Equipment, Installation, & Training

We use high-grade professional equipment. Mics, speakers, lights, screens, cameras, our AV systems are tailor-made to meet your goals. If you decide to have us install your equipment, we don’t just set it up and leave you hanging. We help provide training so that you’re not just pushing buttons and knobs, but you actually understand how your new system works. If needed, we can also provide maintenance.

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