Meet the Team

Dave Howell

President

thinkdave@velocityavs.com Cell: 619-247-4776 Office: 858-279-2255

Dave Howell began his career is 1981 when he opened his first video production company known as Coast Video Productions. After selling the company in 1989, Dave went on to design and build a mobile uplink production truck that is still in use today.

In 1991, Dave joined the team at AVHQ. He quickly progressed from being an AV tech to the Director of AV Services at the La Costa Resort. AVHQ was excited with Dave’s performance at La Costa and asked him to take over as the Director of AV Services at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina. After improving sales and customer satisfaction at the Sheraton, Dave was asked to take over as the Regional Director for AVHQ San Diego and manage the operations and staff at 8 local hotels and resorts. In 1998 AVHQ became PSAV and in 1999, Dave left his position with PSAV as Regional Director to start his own company, Velocity Audio Visual Services. Today, 19 years later, Velocity has grown to be a leader in audio visual services and now offers San Diego’s largest LED Display inventory.

In his time off Dave likes off-roading, boating and traveling but mostly enjoys spending time with family: his wife DeAndra, his 4 daughters Lacey, Kari, Emily & Nikki, and his two grandchildren.

John Bailey

VP Technical Operations / Project Manager

john@velocityavs.com Cell: 619-247-4293 Office: 858-279-2255

With 15 years in the industry John is up for any challenge. He loves working local jobs here in San Diego as well as taking care of clients on the road.

No matter the job size, John’s number one priority is to ensure the clients satisfaction.  In May 2016, John was promoted into the position of Operations Manager.   In January of 2018, John was promoted to the position of VP Technical Operations.
In this position, John oversees the daily logistics and operations to assure 100% client satisfaction.  John manages day to day logistical Operations and oversees the technical staff and warehouse staff.

A native of San Diego, John and his wife have a son and a daughter. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his family, archery, shooting, photography, hiking, and fishing.

DeAndra Howell

Office Manager/Accounting

deandra@velocityavs.com Cell: 619-247-4775 Office: 858-279-2255

DeAndra has been with Velocity Audio Visual since its inception; originally coming on as a part-time book-keeper, to now working full-time as the Office Manager and head of Human Resources. DeAndra’s responsibilities include accounting, front desk reception and Human Resources.

DeAndra is married to the owner Dave Howell and they have 4 children, only one of whom is still at home. DeAndra and Dave also have two grandchildren, who they love spending time with. In her free time DeAndra enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Jeff Lutjens

Director of Sales

jeff@velocityavs.com Cell: 408-406-1662 Office: 858-279-2255

Jeff Lutjens has more than 27 years of leadership and sales experience spanning various industries including offset printing, BMW aftermarket performance products and currently audio visual event production. As an accomplished salesman and marketer, his vision and expertise in business growth has afforded him several positions throughout his career including Vice President of Sales and Marketing with Dinan Engineering, North America’s premiere BMW tuner. His prior employers include Fuji Film USA and Oce while in the printing industry. Jeff’s portfolio of clients includes, Adobe, AutoNation, Disney, Lockheed Martin, Penske Automotive Group and Sony among others.

The audio visual industry has been a perfect progression utilizing his past experience in interactions with individuals at all levels including Fortune 500 Companies while living in the San Francisco Bay Area. His business acumen coupled with strong organizational and creative skills offer our clients that personal experience that truly makes the difference. Jeff excels at listening to our clients’ needs while providing individualized solutions for each event whether large or small. He takes pride in forging relationships that become long-term clients. His passion for AV shows in his consultative selling approach and he embraces challenges so that he can provide creative staging, colorful lighting, excellent video/LED and professional audio that exceed expectations.

When Jeff isn’t working he enjoys spending quality time with his family and working out to stay both physically and mentally fit. Other interests include auto racing, hiking, cycling and rooting for the Padres.

Jeramie Purser

Account Executive / Project Manager

j.purser@velocityavs.com Cell: 702-807-6134 Office: 858-279-2255

Jeramie Purser joins Velocity as Account Executive & Project Manager.

Jeramie has been in the Audio Visual  business for over 20 years in Las Vegas and San Diego.  Starting in 1997, he’s done it all from Driver Tech to Director of Operations.
Jeramie has worked his way up with such companies as Encore Productions, American Audio Visual, and now comes to Velocity from PSAV where for 7 years Jeramie served
as Sales Manager and then Director of Operations.

Jeramie has a proven track record in the Hospitality Industry and excels in challenging and competitive environments.  His attention to detail ensures the success of every event.

Ryan Curran

Warehouse Manager/AV Tech

r.curran@velocityavs.com Cell: 760-504-4382 Office: 858-279-2255

Ryan is a San Diego native who worked for years as a construction project manager.  He brought the work ethic and attention to detail he garnered in the construction industry with him when he changed paths into the AV industry.

He got his start in AV as a freelance production assistant for Grand Slam Direct.  His interest and skill level for AV was amplified at Evan’s hotels where he worked as an AV technician servicing the varied demands that hotel AV requires.

He quickly became one of their most valued AV technicians. Eager to learn more about the field of AV, he spent his free time helping produce community access television as lead camera and associate producer for V.V. & Yourself Present.

Ryan was soon traveling California on set for Circle 8 Productions recording field audio. His path in the AV industry led to Velocity where he hired on to be Warehouse Manager and an AV technician.

His years improving his scope and skill level in the industry make him a welcome addition to the Velocity’s team!

Nick Taylor

Account Executive

nick@velocityavs.com Cell: 832-746-1306 Office: 858-279-2255

Nick Taylor joins Velocity as an Account Executive.

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana and raised in Houston, Texas. Nick got his first taste of the industry 10 years ago playing with bands and touring along the south coast. In that time, he became quickly fascinated with the technical side of audio and visual production. In 2013, Nick was hired on by a very reputable A/V Production company in Houston, TX where he quickly became a staple in the industry. In his time in Texas, Nick helped produce events for Snoop Dogg, Drake, One Republic, K C and the Sunshine Band, Lyle Lovett, The Suffers, David Tutera, Cory Morrow, Clay Walker, Gatorade, Chevron, Cadillac, BMW, and much more!

With over 15 years of sales and management experience, Nick brings positive energy and a strong commitment to making his clients happy. His solid work ethic, attention to detail, and charismatic personality makes him very easy to work with.

In his free time, Nick enjoys playing guitar, writing/recording music, taking hikes with his German Shorthaired Pointer, and hanging out with friends and family.

Kyle Swatzell

Sr. AV Tech - Lighting Department

k.swatzell@velocityavs.com Cell: 949-656-6167 Office: 858-279-2255

Kyle Swatzell comes to Velocity as a Sr. AV Technician in our Lighting Department with over 10 years’ experience in lighting design, and 3 of those years in live event and corporate production.

Ever since his junior year in high school, Kyle knew what his career would involve; lighting. He finds lighting to be just as expressive and creative as any other medium of art. He sees a stage as his canvas and the console as his palette.

Kyle started the road to his career in lighting for theatre at Grossmont College, taking any and every class available to him, and working at local and educational theatres in San Diego. He then went north to University of California Irvine to continue his education and hone his skills in lighting design. Soon after graduation, Kyle landed a job at Visions Lighting. He began working in the warehouse prepping equipment and loading trucks for large scale productions, including Coachella and EDC Las Vegas. Within a year, Kyle was promoted to Production Manager, and he designed smaller shows and ran crews for productions all around Los Angeles. Kyle found himself moving back to San Diego after 2 years with Visions Lighting (now 4Wall Entertainment) to start his family and work as a freelance technician.

Now Kyle lives in San Diego with his beautiful wife and his two children. When not working he likes to draw and spend time with his family and friends

Ruben Leon

Sr. AV Tech - Video Department

r.leon@velocityavs.com Cell: 760-960-7910 Office: 858-279-2255

It is said that when the wicked rule the earth and the world has turned awry, the gods would provide the earth with a being of extraordinary abilities capable of bringing back balance to the world.

Ruben Leon is not that being, he is Velocity’s new Video Sr. Tech. Ruben might not be the one to bring balance to our world but he will bring his 13 years of AV experience, his outstanding customer service, his can do attitude, and his extraordinary ability execute your event flawlessly.

Ruben started his AV life in college when he enrolled in the Music Technology program at La Sierra University and took on the role of the AV Departments Lead Technician. Ruben was also the head technician of the Music Department’s music laboratory, a recording engineer, an electrician’s assistant, a landscaper, a custodian, and a cook. Ruben graduated in 2010 with a B.S. in Music Technology and went on to become an Entertainment Technician at Sea World San Diego. During his time at Sea World he was in charge of the Audio, Fountain, and Aviary release of the dolphin show Blue Horizons. He was later presented with an opportunity to join PSAV as an Event Technician at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. During his time at PSAV Ruben went from being an Event Technician to an Audio Specialist and then becoming a Regional Video Specialist. Besides being an Audio and Video Specialist Ruben also worked as a rigger, a project manager, and as a technical coordinator.

Ruben adds to Velocity over 13 years of technical experience in the AV industry as well as his customer service experience, his work ethic, and his calm demeanor. Ruben’s customer service and work ethic comes from his mission statement “To provide extraordinary service, no matter the size of the event”.

When not working, Ruben likes to spend time with his wife (Melinna), his new born daughter (Minerva) and his pug (Night Fury). He also likes to go to Mexicali B.C., where he spent most of his youth, to visit family and friends and eat the best Chinese food on this side of the Pacific.

Will Philp

Sr. AV Tech - Audio Department

w.philp@velocityavs.com Cell: 808-283-3005 Office: 858-279-2255

Will Philp is a multi-faceted creative professional with over 15 years of experience in live events and film/video production.   Having worked for many years in Hollywood and the greater Los Angeles area his expertise in live sound and event production has lead him to work with some of the country’s most prestigious talent and award shows.Will has spent his professional career honing skills in the arena of live sound and event production; developing a wide array of skills such as, sound reinforcement, event lighting, video projection, power distribution, and event rigging.

His expertise in production and audio engineering makes him a strong spearhead for the Audio Department at Velocity and a great addition to the team. Along with his professional career in production, he continues to develop his personal creativity as a writer, filmmaker/video producer, graphic artist and musician.  Will also enjoys an active outdoor lifestyle.  When not on productions he can be found hiking trails, traveling the world, and out in the surf or sailing the ocean.

Jacob Bryan

Graphics Producer / AV Tech

j.bryan@velocityavs.com Cell: 916-690-2466 Office: 858-279-2255

Jacob Bryan is a visual artist specializing in motion graphics. After years of learning cutting-edge techniques, he is able to bring concepts to life through animation. Jacob joins Velocity with the ability to provide captivating video content to fill any screen or space. Since graduating from San Diego State University in 2017, he has followed his passion and skills to become a uniquely qualified professional providing clients with innovative, high-quality graphics.

Jacob recognizes the power of video to spread new ideas, improve events, and transform environments. He can often be found running lights, lasers, and visuals above dance floors around San Diego. When he isn’t in front of a computer, Jacob loves spending time by his home in Pacific Beach with his friends and his dog, Wendy.