AVTranz, headquartered in Phoenix, with offices in Tucson and Denver, was established in 1991 and is the leading provider of verbatim transcription and electronic reporting services in the U.S. Southwest. Since its inception, AVTranz has subscribed to the principle that its clients are best served through a broad-base of electronic reporting and transcription knowledge. Over the years, AVTranz has developed an expertise in reporting and transcribing state and federal criminal and civil court proceedings, complex litigation proceedings, military disciplinary proceedings, arbitration, grievance hearings, and administrative proceedings including public hearings, board and committee meetings, and industrial claims proceedings.
The company and its management have been leaders in helping courts and government agencies transition from stenographic court reporting and cassette tape recording to digital audio and video recording solutions. Now that the courts are facing the most challenging budgets in decades, those that invested in digital recording are well positioned to save significant budget dollars while improving the service offered to the legal community and the public. AVTranz is committed to support this effort.
Courts and law firms can now leverage technological advancements in digital recording to save considerable time and money. AVTranz is uniquely positioned and qualified to provide the support courts and law firms need to achieve these savings.
Professional Management Team
The AVTranz staff believes strongly in teamwork to meet the unique needs of our clients. Our hard-working and capable management team draws on the support and contributions of all our employees and sub-contractors to produce the highest quality product possible.
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Chief Executive Officer
Steve Townsend is CEO of AVTranz. He has been an owner of the company since 1985 and managed the business from 1985 until 1995 when he joined FTR Limited. He left FTR in 2007 to return to AVTranz.
Mr. Townsend has extensive experience in the courtroom and hearing room reporting and transcription. Between 1985 and 1995, Townsend grew AVTranz from a small "secretarial service" to the largest court transcription company in the Southwest with offices in Phoenix and Los Angeles. He was active in trade associations and legislative efforts to allow increased use of electronic recording methods in courts, hearing rooms and depositions.
In 1992, Townsend co-founded the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT). The association, based in Sacramento, Calif., remains very active in supporting the growing profession of audio and video recording and transcription in the court market. Townsend served as AAERT´s vice-president during its first two years, and chaired the association´s legislative committee.
In 1995, Mr. Townsend joined FTR Limited and in 1997, Townsend was named CEO of FTR. Between 1997 and 2007, Townsend grew FTR from a small software company based in Perth, Western Australia, to the world's leading provider of digital court recording solutions with more than 20,000 systems installed in more than 40 countries around the world. He was the driving force behind the development of FTR's flagship product, FTR Gold, and FTR's video recording solutions, TheRecord Reporter and TheRecord Player.
Steve Townsend on LinkedIn
VP, E-Reporting Services
Ms. Samcoe was appointed President of AVTranz in mid-1995. Her background includes more than ten years of experience managing administrative operations for a national financial consulting firm with regional offices around the country. She spent two years consulting for an upstart medical manufacturing firm, where she developed and implemented administrative procedures for their national operations and directed their corporate office move across the country.
Ms. Samcoe began subcontracting for AVTranz in Los Angeles, California in early 1992, providing electronic court reporting and transcription services in Superior Court and various municipal courts in the Los Angeles area, as well as for public and private agencies.
Ms. Samcoe relocated to Phoenix, Arizona in September of 1994 to assume the position of Office Manager for AVTranz. Her prior management experience brought significant expertise to all phases of the day-to-day operations of the firm, resulting in her rapid promotion to President of the company.
VP, Sales & Marketing
 | Mr. Lige joined AVTranz in February of 2008. He has over 15 years of experience in the digital recording market. He began his sales and management career with Dictaphone providing dictation recording products to the legal and medical community. In 1996 he took on responsibility for the sales and marketing of the ForTheRecord digital recording products produced by FTR Limited as a Judicial Marketing Manager.
In 1998, Mr. Lige joined FTR Limited where he performed duties as the North American Sales Manager, VP, Marketing and VP, Global Sales & Marketing. Mr. Lige was instrumental in bringing over 20,000 digital recording solutions into the court market around the world and has extensive experience in the various methods used to “capture a record of court” and tremendous knowledge of the Judicial and Legal market. He was a vital part of the growth of FTR Limited from a small software start up to a successful and professional worldwide software company.
Erik Lige on LinkedIn |
Operations Manager
Ms. Lilley joined the AVTranz management team in June of 2008. Michele spent the past 13 years with FTR Limited where she performed a number of important roles. Michele managed the administrative operations for FTR Limited for 10 years becoming a key member of the team that took that organization from a small start up to part of a multinational corporation.
The last 3 years saw Michele as a member of the product management and marketing team. Her experience in the court and judicial market as well as her organizational, administrative and marketing skills make her a perfect fit for AVTranz.
Production Manager
Ms. Larkins joined AVTranz team in May 2009. Sonja spent the previous 3 years at FTR Limited where she performed customer service duties and assisted the sales and accounting departments. Prior to FTR Limited, Sonja spent 5 years with Move.Com Homebuilder division; where she was National Account Manager for some of the largest homebuilders in the country. Sonja brings with her over 15 years of experience in customer service, order processing and fulfillment. Her career experience creating and maintaining relationships will be an asset to the AVTranz team.
Sonja Larkins on LinkedIn
Controller
Mrs. Weddington joined AVTranz in July 2008. Addie majored in Accounting at The Ohio State University and graduated with a BSBA in the summer of 2000. For most of her accounting career she worked as an Auditor for a medium sized accounting firm, managing approximately 15 audit and review engagements per year of private companies in the technology, construction, real estate, and transportation industries.
In January of 2007, Addie took a position as Assistant Controller of FTR where she prepared IFRS monthly financial statements in AUD, managed month-end close schedules, and assisted in preparation of annual budget and monthly variance analysis of budget to actual financial results. Addie has been involved in the due diligence process for a handful of companies and has effectively managed broad-based accounting, numerous projects and priorities.
E-Reporting Manager Arizona
Ms. Repola joined the AVTranz management team in 2005. Ms. Repola's background includes more than 13 years of experience in the legal profession, where she has served as office manager, paralegal, transcriptionist and e-reporter.
Ms. Repola currently manages all aspects of the expanding AVTranz E-Reporting Division, placing attention on the details of each assignment in an effort to ensure that we exceed our clients' expectations. Her duties include ongoing training and the continuing education of e-reporters, scheduling of hearings, reporting calendar management, assigning reporters, determining appropriate equipment needs at all hearing locations, reporting equipment control and troubleshooting, and working directly with the AVTranz management team to meet transcript deadlines and ensure quality control. Ms. Repola also serves as our Tucson District Manager and Court/Client Liaison.
Lead Proofreader
Mr. Ferguson joined AVTranz in March of 1994 as a proofreader. He has an extensive background in technical writing, editing and proofreading proposals and grants for non-profit organizations. Mr. Ferguson has assisted in writing, editing and proofreading comprehensive policies and procedures required to meet national and state accreditation requirements.
As Lead Proofreader, Mr. Ferguson is responsible for the quality of all transcripts produced by the AVTranz transcribers and proofreaders. Mr. Ferguson also works very closely with the entire AVTranz management team to ensure quality control and timely deliveries.
IT Manager
Brandon Townsend, the Lead Technologist / IT Manager for AVTranz, has been working with the Company since 2006. Currently Brandon is acting as Lead Support Representative as well as Project Manager on several AVTranz technical projects. Brandon completed his studies at Devry University in Phoenix, Arizona, and received a bachelor's degree in Network Communications Management. While focused on a Support / Development role within AVTranz, he is thoroughly trained in all aspects of Networking and Telecommunications Technology, and is especially focused on Cisco products.
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Brandon Townsend on LinkedIn
Lead Customer Service Specialist
Ms. Granados-Larson joined AVTranz in April of 2008 and brings over 20 years of customer service experience with her. She spent more than 15 years with the Allstate Insurance Company fulfilling a number of positions including Clerical Support Manager, Sr. Claims Processing Specialist and Sr. Agency Technology Coordinator among others. Her positive attitude, attention to customer needs and work ethic are a great asset to AVTranz and our customers.
