AV Integrator Spotlight: JCA Media
Today we catch up with Alex Peake, Project Manager at JCA Media. We will discuss how he started in the industry his favorite songs for system testing, and his experience with LEA Professional.
Alex began work with JCA in 2016 and his strengths are in technology knowledge. He enjoys being able to offer outstanding solutions to the systems they develop at JCA.
Let’s dive in!
Tell us about your company
AV Integrator Spotlight: JCA Media
[AP] JCA Media, LLC was founded by Jim Cottrell as the result of his highly successful transition from musician to consulting and installation services. Jim worked in the early 60’s as a Rock and Roll musician as well as a studio musician. This led to a recording engineering job and back to his roots in the gospel music industry playing full time on the road. He started Jim Cottrell Associates in 1975, a business that included Alpha Recording Inc. (recording studio) in addition to video and audio production services. This adventure included traveling to many states doing audio/video recordings of conferences and conventions. In 1994, Jim started JCA Media, LLC which is the media installation branch. JCA Media, LLC now installs sound, video, lighting, projection and acoustical systems. While the majority of our work is in Kentucky and the surrounding states, JCA Media, LLC has also partnered with customers in Florida, Alabama, Virginia, Colorado and Texas.
AND ABOUT YOUR ROLE WITHIN THE company
AV Integrator Spotlight: JCA Media
[AP] I am a project manager here at JCA Media. I am in charge of project design and actually quoting the installs. When I am not doing that, I am on the site pulling wire, hanging PAs, and commissioning systems with the rest of the team.
How did you get started in the industry?
AV Integrator Spotlight: JCA Media
[AP] I used to be the assistant AV Coordinator for Campbellsville University. While I was there we had JCA doing installs and as AV techs we would assist them to better equip ourselves for troubleshooting if the need ever arose. After CU, I was brought on as a contract laborer for JCA, which eventually turned into a full-time job!
What is your favorite part of a project?
AV Integrator Spotlight: JCA Media
[AP] My favorite part of the project is the customer relations and system design and engineering. Having the chance to work closely with clients and build lifelong friendships is very meaningful to me.
What is the most challenging part of any project?
AV Integrator Spotlight: JCA Media
[AP] The most challenging part of any project is coordinating the construction schedule with the install schedule for our guys. But a considerable amount of success is building a good relationship with the other trades and working as a team for a common goal of making the client happy.
What is your most frequently used tool during the installation process?
AV Integrator Spotlight: JCA Media
[AP] Let’s be real. Electrical tape. Got to pull the cable somehow lol. If we are talking about actual tools, probably my Milwaukee M12 Fuel Surge Impact. sLove that thing
What is you the most challenging part of any project?
AV Integrator Spotlight: JCA Media
[AP] I always make sure the work scope and shop drawings are clear for our field techs to use for the installation. And most importantly, I always make sure all products are ready to deploy to the site when needed.
What are your go-to songs for system testing?
AV Integrator Spotlight: JCA Media
- Look out any window – Bruce Horsby
- I can see clearly now – Holly Cole
- Dream – Fleetwood Mac
- Long After Your Gone – Chris Jones
- Don’t Let Me Fall – Rob Mathes
- I Will Remember – Toto
- The Grove – Brian Culbertson
- Hey Now – Landon Grammer
- Sweet Annie – Zac Brown Band
How has your experience been working with lea?
AV Integrator Spotlight: JCA Media
[AP] Working with LEA truly has been an awesome experience. We love their gear, and they listen to our needs and recommendations. Support is fast and helpful, and the company is truly interested in what we (integrators) are doing and how they can help make our job easier, and as an end result it benefits the end user the most.
Conclusion
AV Integrator Spotlight: JCA Media
We’d like to thank Alex Peake and everyone at JCA Media for taking the time to speak with us and also for working with our Connect Series amplifiers in their recent installation project at Maker’s Mark Distillery.
If you have any questions about our Connect Series amplifiers or would like to be featured in one of our Integrator Spotlight posts, feel free to reach out to us in the comments below or through our social media channels!
