Azbell Electronics has provided superior service in the area of custom and professional audio, video, and electronics since 1945. Billy Lee Azbell, Sr. was a pioneer in the art of radio repair nearly 60 years ago. For over 50 years, he set the standard in customer appreciation.
Mr. Azbell founded the company in 1945, at the close of World War II, at 1120 North 25th Street and in 1949 moved to our current location at 18th and Speight in Waco, Texas. From this modest beginning in radio and television repair sprang a company with some of the most highly skilled audio, sound, and visual technicians in the country. By keeping up with current technology, while being loyal to our roots, Azbell Electronics can do everything from repairing antique radios and TV's, to developing complex custom solutions for any audio, video, videoconferencing, or network need. Mr. Azbell Sr. left us in 1996, but his legacy lives on in this small family-owned business. Billy Lee Azbell Jr. is our President and runs our Government Services Division on Fort Hood, TX. Billy Crocker served as the Store Operation Manager in Waco until his death in 2008. Azbell Electronics is a woman owned small business. |
| The Advisory Board is responsible for the strategic oversight and direction of the company. The board members maintain leadership in their respective field to facilitate Azbell Electronics’ competitive posture. |
General (ret)Thomas A. Schwartz
General Schwartz spent 20 plus years in the US Army. He began his military career in 1967. He advanced in rank quickly due to his excellent performance. He has attended several military schools and has earned several educational degrees including a B.S. at the United States Military Academy, a M.S. in Psychology Counseling at Duke University and a M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies at the United States Naval War College. During his career he was Chief of Staff, Combined Field Army (Republic of Korea/United States), United States Forces Korea and Commander-in-Chief, United Nations, Command/Combined Forces Command/Commander, United States forces Korea to name a few. Gen. Schwartz has been awarded many US decorations and badges. |
Michael Korpi, Ph.D.
Michael F. Korpi is Professor and Director of the Telecommunication Division at Baylor University, a Senior Research Fellow at the IC2 Institute at the University of Texas at Austin, and a member of the Academy of Digital Television Pioneers. He has produced and directed documentaries on a range of topics from automobile racing to world hunger. Dr. Korpi also conducts research dealing with new communication technologies such as high definition television, non-linear editing systems, digital cinema and video games. For example, he produced test materials for the HDTV standardization process, including the first side-by-side tests for Super 16mm vs. 35mm film transferred to HDTV. Dr. Korpi attended Liberty University and the University of Iowa. He has been at Baylor University since 1982.
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Corey P. Carbonara, Ph.D.
Corey Carbonara is a Professor of Telecommunication in the Communication Studies Department at Baylor University. In addition, Dr. Carbonara currently serves as the Director of the Digital Communication Technologies Project at Baylor. He recently served as Chief Technology Officer for the Texas State Technical College System (TSTC) as well as the Director of New Technology and Community Networks for the Cross Border Institute for Regional Development (CBIRD) Project, led by the IC2 Institute at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Carbonara is a Senior Research Fellow of the IC2 Institute and has served as a Visiting Adjunct Professor/Lecturer in the Management Department of the Graduate School of Business at UT Austin where he has taught for the new Executive Master's Degree Program in Science and Technology Commercialization.
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Jack Gershfeld, Ph.D.
In the 21st Century its hard to imagine an audiovisual presentation system without a computer, but twenty-five years ago, when 35mm slide presentations and overhead projectors ruled the earth, the simple act of connecting a computer to a video projector was a brand new challenge. This invitation was answered by a handful of inventive young engineers who discovered a market need and jumped on it with fervor, not knowing where it would take them. One of these pioneers was Jack Gershfeld, current President and CEO of Altinex, Inc., a company that continues to provide innovative signal management solutions to the audio visual presentation industry.
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| The Azbell Electronics leadership provides strategic and tactical guidance for the company. They represent experts in their respective fields and utilize visionary strategies that allow the company to maintain its industry leadership. Senior leaders guide the organization to provide products and services that exceed customer expectations.
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Billy Azbell
Billy Azbell is the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Audio Designer. A skilled entrepreneur and pioneer in the audio/visual field, he has worked full-time as an audio/video systems integrator, designer and installer since 1976. Mr. Azbell holds a B.S. degree in Electronic Technology and has invented several audio/video technologies. He has also personally influenced the designs of several major Original Equipment Manufacturers' (OEM) lines of equipment to include; Altinex, Aurora Multimedia, RGB Spectrum, AMX and others.
Mr. Azbell has conducted over 8,000 successful systems integrations and installations throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico. Specifically, Mr. Azbell designed and installed all of the audio/video and Video Teleconferencing systems for the largest tactical command post in the Army and other units. This system integration required the design of new systems, not yet produced by OEMs. His specialized command information center audio/video system was successfully used by 40% of the Army's Active duty divisions in the Global War on Terrorism in both Afghanistan and Iraq. |
Billy Crocker
Billy Crocker (Deceased, 1949 - 2008) was the Vice President of the Commercial Services Division and Waco Operations. A skilled audio/video designer, installer and salesman, he worked full-time at Azbell Electronics since 1968. Mr. Crocker attended Baylor University and holds a degree in Business from McClennan Community College.
Mr. Crocker was the driving force behind our successful Azbell Sports Video line and had made several unique innovations in the field of sports audio/video. He is a long time resident of Waco and has extensive ties to the community. Mr. Crocker has personally conducted thousands of successful systems integrations and installations throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico. |
| Robert Parker Robert (Bob) Parker joined Azbell Electronics in October of 2005 as the Vice-President for Engineering and Manufacturing following his retirement from the United States Army. Bob graduated from Texas A&M University in 1980 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Industrial Distribution and accepted a commission in the United States Army Infantry.  Following the Infantry Officers Basic Course at Fort Benning he served as a Rifle Platoon Leader, Support Platoon Leader, and Combat Service Support Company Executive Officer in the 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry, 25th Infantry Division Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. In 1985 following the Infantry Officers Advanced Course, Bob was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. During his tour he served as the ACofS G4 Division Maintenance Officer and then moved to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry where he served as the Battalion S4, Delta Company Commander, and Headquarters Company Commander. In 1989, Bob was assigned to the 29th Infantry Regiment at Fort Benning, Georgia where he served as the Executive Officer for the Bradley New Equipment Training Team, Assistant Regimental S3, and Bradley Instructor Company Commander. He attended CGSC at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas from 1993-1994 and during this period completed a Master of Science degree in Administration from Central Michigan University. In 1994, Bob returned to Fort Hood as the SGS for the 13th Corps Support Command. He moved to the 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division in 1995 where he served as the Battalion S3 and Battalion Executive Officer and participated in Operation Intrinsic Action in Kuwait in the summer/fall of 1996. Bob moved to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1997 and career field designated into FA 53, Information Systems Management. During his tour he served in the Combined Arms Doctrine Directorate as the Chief of Doctrine Literature Management and Electronic Publications and in the Department of Educational Technology as the Chief of Network Operations and Data Services. He was assigned to the Korea Battle Simulation Center in 2000 as the Operations Officer where he provided planning and execution for simulation support of a number of major exercises to include, Ulchi Focus Lens (UFL), RSOI, and Foal Eagle. In 2001, Bob returned to Fort Hood and served as the ACofS G6 for the 13th Corps Support Command. During his tenure as the ACofS G6, Bob deployed with the COSCOM to LSA Anaconda, Balad, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. Bob retired from the Army in 2005 with 25 years of service.
Bob’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (5 OLC), National Defense Service Medal (2), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon (2), Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Joint Meritorious Unit Citation. |
Willman Miller
Willman (Bill) Miller brings 30 plus years of military and federal contracting experience in the fields of communications and intelligence leading to the implementation of current business and technology solutions for our customers.
Currently, Mr. Miller is the Chief Technology Officer for Azbell Electronics. He led the Azbell design efforts for the Command Post Platform program in which Azbell Electronics is providing the Command Center System (CCS). This CCS is being deployed as the new Army standard command post audio and video support system. As Chief Technology Officer for Azbell Electronics, Mr. Miller provides technical management and operational skills to support complex product design and operations for various customers. He supports business goals through facilitating strategic business planning as related to current and future technology. Additionally, Mr. Miller has led the deployment of two of the Azbell teams supporting US Army operations in raq. Previous to employment with Azbell Electronics, Mr. Miller worked 6 years as a network engineer supporting US Army activities. This included managing a team providing complete service to units stationed at Fort Hood, Texas and operations of a classified network operations center. Also included was support of several large exercises with multiple deployments to overseas locations and coordinating the use of commercial telecommunications for the support of the deployed forces. Prior to this, Mr. Miller worked 12 years supporting the operational testing and deployment of new procedures and technology within the Army Military Intelligence structure. He wrote major portions of several JCS sponsored tests and evaluations plans and reports. This included support to initial fielding of the Army’s ASAS through both test and training support. Mr. Miller spent over 9 years on active duty with the US Army with duty locations of Sinop, Turkey, Fort Hood, Texas, and Fort Deavens, Massachusetts. |
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Bill Sniffen |