Tampa audio visual leader adds to executive team

TAMPA -- AVI-SPL has named Jeff Davis the Tampa video collaboration provider's new chief operating officer.

Davis will lead the company's operations, procurement and services functions, according to a release. He also will work on strengthening employee training programs for the company, which boasted more than 1,700 workers in 2013.

Davis most recently was COO of Kratos Public Safety & Security Solutions, promoting new business development, improving operational efficiency and focusing on customer satisfaction. Before that, Davis spent 10 years with ADT Security Services in operational leadership roles.

AVI-SPL reported gross revenue in 2014 of $553 million. It parted ways with its hotel, equipment rental and event production services division last October to Dallas-based Freeman, ending 32 years of the company's association with such work. The sale, executives said at the time, allowed AVI-SPL to focus on audio-visual and video products, as well as integration and managed services.

AVI-SPL was founded in 1979 as Audio Visual Innovations, selling Kroy Lettering Machines that helped architecture and engineering firms communicate with each other. The company now has 28 offices domestically in 18 states, and eight more internationally in Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.