Fremont, CA - September 2, 2015 at 10:00am EST - A leading organization with over 325 members in smart home and IoT industries, the Z-Wave Alliance announces long-time Universal Remote Control executive and CEDIA board member Mitchell Klein as its new Executive Director. Klein joins the Alliance after more than 8 years as a senior team member at URC, helping to transform the company from a remote control manufacturer to a smart home integration system supplier for the consumer electronics pro space.
Following an extensive search throughout the consumer electronics and smart home industries, the Z-Wave Alliance Board of Directors selected a results-driven, hands-on industry leader to fill the newly created executive director post. With a large portion of the Z-Wave market focused on the security, telco and integrator markets as well as DIY, Klein's background and thought leadership in these areas will continue to grow Z-Wave's position as the go-to technology across industries.
"Mitch brings with him a significant amount of experience building programs, partnerships and growing categories within new markets," said Raoul Wijgergangs, VP for Z-Wave business unit for Sigma Designs and Alliance Board member. "As Z-Wave experiences massive growth and expansion into the smart home and still developing IoT markets, we will look to Mitch to work with the board and build a strategic plan that will take the ecosystem to the next level."
As CEO and founder of one of the top grossing and influential home tech integration companies, Klein has played a pivotal role in growing the custom electronics installer channel and has been involved in smart home long before it was a household concept. Klein has served in several roles in the CEDIA network, most notably as its President from 1997-1999 and is currently Chairman of the Professional Development Committee. A proven leader, Klein has been recognized with 22 industry awards including the 2011, 2012, and 2013 CEPro Quest for Quality Platinum Award Winner for Best Training and the 2003 Dealer of the Year - CEA/TechHome Mark of Excellence Award.
"I'm joining the Z-Wave Alliance at an exciting time for the organization and its member companies, with unprecedented growth predicted in the connected home and security markets," said Klein. "My job is to chart a course for the future, forging important partnerships and creating programs that allow Z-Wave to lead not just in products but in important initiatives around educating the consumer and ensuring smart homes are secure."
"I feel confident that with Mitch's leadership and our growth trajectory, Z-Wave will be a unifying ingredient in the leading smart home solutions for years to come," added Wijgergangs. "The Z-Wave ecosystem is today one of the most dominant in the smart home world and will continue to be as the concept of IoT takes over the home."
For more information on the Z-Wave Alliance, please visit http://z-wavealliance.org. Follow the Z-Wave Alliance on Facebook,Twitter and on LinkedIn for the latest updates.
