GDC USA: Cinema Revolution in Americas!
Introduction of GDC Americas
GDC Technology entered the North American market in 2007 in Burbank, California, and hit the ground running. In 2010, GDC opened an office in Sterling, Virginia, to provide sales training and support for customers located on the East Coast. In 2014, at the height of the digital cinema conversion, the Burbank office became the home base for sales, marketing, logistics, technical services, customer service, audio, and operations for North and South America, managed by Annie Wang. With over 100 years of combined experience in the cinema industry, GDC Technology America boasts a seasoned leadership team at the helm, poised for the future of cinema.
GDC’s success relies on our people. We take pride in introducing some of the talented individuals who work in our Burbank office or remotely. Discover what inspired them to pursue a career in the cinema industry, the various pathways they followed, and what a day in the life of a GDC employee looks like.
GDC Technology America, LLC Burbank, California
GDC Technology America, LLC Burbank, California (Warehouse)
Expertise and Leadership
GDC USA boasts a team of over 30 staffs with a combined over 100 years of cinema industry experience. Our talented members share their inspirations and daily experiences to help reinvent the future of cinema. Let’s meet GDC Technology America’s senior management team:
- Annie Wang, President of the Northern Virginia/Washington DC area office, has been an employee at GDC since 2007. Working at GDC is always dynamic, challenging, and fun, stemming from a team that is connected and collaborates closely. Annie started her career in the cinema industry with GDC in 2007, leading the GDC US office with the primary goal of being focused, organized, and productive. Annie manages the team through open and effective communication among all departments to provide consistently high-quality service and daily support to hundreds of GDC customers across North America and Latin America. It has been an enjoyable journey over the past 17 years, and Annie values and enjoys working with her team every minute! Her favourite movie is Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
- Tony Adamson, Senior Vice President based in Dallas, Texas, has been with GDC since May 2015. One of the things Tony likes most about working at GDC is that every day is different, and he never gets bored. On a typical day, after a couple of cappuccinos, Tony helps develop sales and marketing strategies that deliver added value to GDC customers. Building on the company’s expertise in cinema technology and its leading position in the market, Tony leads corporate communications, accesses new business development, nurtures business partnerships worldwide, and works closely with DTS, Inc. to build brand awareness for DTS Surround and DTS:X for IAB immersive audio. His favourite movie is The Godfather.
- Paul Marcot, Vice President of Sales for North America based in Fairfax Station, Virginia, has been with GDC since May 2009. There are many walks of life that Paul experiences in sales each day at GDC. He considers it an honor to connect with people and knows how to positively influence those around him on the phone, during remote chats, or, best of all, in person. He believes in the phrase “if you love your job you don’t have to work a day in your life,” both on good days and bad ones. Paul understands the importance of perseverance; rather than giving up, when feeling down, he works harder to get things where they need to be. He is fortunate to surround himself with inspiring colleagues at GDC. Paul is a firm believer that you are a reflection of those you surround yourself with at work, which makes you a better person. It is easy to show up at work, do your job, and go home, but instead, he strives to be a leader who embraces his love for what he experiences each day at GDC. His favourite movie is Gladiator (2000).
- Michael Fernandez, Vice President of Sales for Latin America based in San Diego, California, has been with GDC since December 2010. Michael begins each morning with a prayer and gratitude session. Immediately afterward, he indulges in 24 oz. of locally sourced coffee. Michael’s workday typically starts a couple of hours earlier, as he is responsible for different territories covering various time zones. Phone calls, emails, and Zoom meetings are generally conducted in three languages: English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Michael oversees and manages GDC’s offices in Brazil and Mexico, giving him direct insight into each country’s unique geopolitical and economic situation. With an extensive background in sales and marketing, Michael enjoys developing GDC’s presence in the challenging LATAM market while building strong, long-term relationships with each customer. His favourite movie is Life is Beautiful.
- David Cano, Director of Digital Cinema Services based in Los Angeles, California, has been with GDC since May 2010. A day in the GDC life consists of communicating with our GDC support teams in the Americas and assisting them in providing best-in-class support and service to our US and LATAM customers. When not involved in technical support, David also leads our production team to ensure that we have new servers available for purchase and works with our internal support team to make certain that our RMA parts and servers are ready to ship into the field when needed. A film enthusiast with diverse tastes, he holds a special fondness for the Back to the Future Trilogy.
- Patrick Fitzgerald, Sound Engineer based in Burbank, California, has been with GDC since July 2019. Patrick works with anything audio-related that pertains to our products. This usually entails creating audio equipment lists for customers, designing speaker layouts and systems drawings, conducting internal and external training, room tuning, and certification for DTS:X for IAB and DTS Surround Cinema, as well as developing audio software and tools. Additionally, Patrick is the head engineer for the DIVE Dynamic Lighting System and handles all software, design, R&D, and all other technical aspects related to DIVE. His favourite movie is Alien.
- Melissa Young, Office Manager based in Burbank, California, has been with GDC since November 2016. Melissa starts her day with a short drive to the Burbank office. After checking in with the staff, her day begins by ensuring that office operations run smoothly. Throughout the day, Melissa works on marketing flyers and campaigns, plans tradeshows, organizes and implements office policies, and arranges team bonding activities. It’s safe to say Melissa wears many hats. Her favourite movie is Moulin Rouge (or anything from Disney).
- Alyssa Boekel, Customer Service Manager based in Burbank, California, has been with GDC since October 2019. Alyssa starts her day by getting outside to exercise with my dog. Then it’s coffee and getting to work. Her strengths are problem-solving and building strong professional relationships, which is why she enjoys being the CSM at GDC. Our industry is small, so you really get to connect with those that you work with. Outside of work – yoga, hiking, playing guitar, and spending time with my husband and our pets. Her favourite movie is The Princess Bride, but Muppet’s Christmas Carol is a close second.
- Emily Du, Financial Controller Manager based in Burbank, California, has been with GDC since March 2010. Emily enjoys playing a multifaceted and dynamic role at GDC. She leads day-to-day accounting operations, oversees the implementation of internal controls, assists with budget preparation, ensures compliance with reporting standards, and manages the transaction reporting process. On a typical day, she may start by reviewing financial reports and identifying any irregularities, then monitor cash flow to ensure that the company’s financial budgets are met. She may also work closely with other departments at GDC, providing strategic financial guidance to the company’s senior management. This includes identifying opportunities for growth, evaluating new business initiatives, and delivering financial insights to support decision-making. Her favourite movie is Sound of Freedom, The Matrix.
