PESA Taps Industry Veteran, Dennis Defensor, to Strengthen Its Position in The Federal, State and Local Government IT Markets

Jun 25, 2021 | Business

PESA Switching Systems, a global manufacturer of high-performance secure, video, audio, USB and KVM distribution announced today that Dennis Defensor has joined the company to lead global sales, marketing, and channel management.

Based in the Washington DC area, Dennis Defensor brings over 30 years of executive management and technical leadership and procurement regulations expertise in the Federal, State and Local government for IT and Enterprise Solutions. Mr. Defensor previously held senior management positions at Akima/NANA as Group President managing three operating companies, ICOM Simulations as President & CEO), CloudShield/SAIC as Senior Vice President of Global Sales, DLT Solutions as Senior Vice President, Oracle Division, GTSI as Vice President of Marketing Communications & eCommerce, Viacom New Media-Chicago as Senior Vice President, and Falcon Microsystems as Vice President of Systems Integration. In the federal market, he has lead companies which provided IT solutions to DOD, Intel communities and civilian agencies.

Defensor’s experience and interest in the public and private sectors of the IT market spans cybersecurity, cloud computing, Internet of Things, network architecture, simulations, and digital full-motion video. With a J.D. degree from Catholic University of America, a pioneering law school in Communications Law, Mr. Defensor brings relevant knowledge and real-world experience in the melding of technology and government contract regulations.

“Dennis brings a plethora of industry experience and management success,” said Howard Sutton, Executive Chairman of PESA. “We look forward to leveraging Dennis’s experience as we expand the market footprint of our secure video, audio, USB and KVM distribution solution.”

In his own words, as to what attracted him to PESA, Mr. Defensor said, “In this new digital world where video is ubiquitous, PESA is the world leader as the only highly secure digital ‘eyes and ears’ for government agencies and global commercial enterprises. PESA is currently the only company that can truly protect the end-to-end integrity of video data which is critical for decision-making in command-and-control centers, secure briefing rooms, military command operations centers, government and corporate situation rooms, law enforcement and first-responder centers, security rooms for critical infrastructures, transportation and logistics hubs and mobile command centers. This technology is destined to become one of the pillars of DOD’s JADC2 strategy.”

More information is available at https://pesa.com/ or contact Dennis Defensor directly via email at ddefensor@pesa.com.

About PESA
PESA is a leading supplier of cybersecure live video distribution solutions to the government, professional and broadcast market. As a leading innovator in securing IP low latency and high-resolution capability from source to glass, PESA is used in zero trust environments that require mission critical performance. Defense, government, media and entertainment, broadcast, and commercial customers trust PESA’s reliable, high-quality products for high performance, high availability, security, and ease of use. PESA offers the only certified secure, encrypted, end-to-end video distribution system (VDS), including keyboard, video, and mouse (KVM). In addition, PESA offers the largest (highest-density) 4K-12G/SDI, single-link router in the world.

PESA is located in Huntsville (“Rocket City”), Alabama, with regional sales offices around the world. All PESA products are supported by our industry-recognized 24/7 support team. For more information, please contact sales@pesa.com or call us at 1-800-323-PESA (1-800-323-7372).

Kendall Park, NJ Veteran Publishes Religious History Book

Jun 18, 2021 | Books, Business

God in History, a new book by William Roufberg, has been released by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc.

In God in History, William Roufberg shows us how science has lessened one’s faith, but religion is a great comfort. Roufberg’s work shows his readers and makes us aware that we are all the same and must not accept lack from others.

About the Author
William Roufberg was a history teacher at Princeton High School for thirty years. He also conducted history lectures at Rutgers University for twenty-three years. Roufberg is a U.S. Navy World War II veteran.

God in History is a 144-page paperback with a retail price of $14.00 (eBook $9.00). The ISBN is 978-1-6470-2309-6. It was published by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For members of the press, to request a review copy, visit our virtual pressroom at http://dorrancepressroom.com/god-in-history/or to buy the book visit our online bookstore at http://bookstore.dorrancepublishing.com/god-in-history/

St. Augustine, FL Veteran Teacher Publishes Book

Jun 9, 2021 | Books, Business

Love Is Not…: A Devotional and Drama Resource, a new book by Dana McAfee, has been released by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc.

Love Is Not…: A Devotional and Drama Resource is about what love is supposed to look like when living it out. We can all relate to learning something like this, right? This is a comfortable read, taken from personal experiences and coupled with practical examples. Skits and monologues also help demonstrate the message of this book. The author hopes readers will find practical ways to make love a priority in their lives and ways to live it out every day.

About the Author
Dana McAfee has been a high school speech and theatre teacher for twenty-eight years, teaching classes and directing more than 100 productions in schools and the community. She has been on the Indiana Thespian State Board for several years and has been inducted into the Indiana Thespian Hall of Fame. McAfee is a graduate of Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana. She is single and lives in Warsaw, Indiana. In spare time, she enjoys movies, walking, and scrapbooking.

Love Is Not…: A Devotional and Drama Resource is a 82-page paperback with a retail price of $11.00 and eBook ($6.00). The ISBN is 978-1-6491-3893-4. It was published by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For members of the press, to request a review copy, visit our virtual pressroom at http://dorrancepressroom.com/love-is-not/ or to buy the book visit our online bookstore at http://bookstore.dorrancepublishing.com/love-is-not-a-devotional-and-drama-resource-ebook/

Veteran Soldier Turned Author Combines Action and Adventure With Heart in Gripping Historical Fiction

Apr 9, 2021 | Business

“Please do not hate men that fought for either side because they were ordered to fight, and they did so bravely, as they all suffered equally,” added the author.

Author Keith A. Youse provides readers with a glimpse into the plight of soldiers in his novel, “Death and Deliverance: A Young Civil War Soldier’s Journey.”

“Death and Deliverance” brings readers back to September of 1861, when a naive young man named Israel Youse left his family and farm behind to join the Fighting Chippewas, the 81st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment of the Army of the Potomac. He was filled with the excitement of youth and adventures as he set off with his cousin Davey to fight the Confederacy. Fueled by dangerous challenges, relentless fear, and the continuing effort to survive personal and physical battles, Israel is quickly driven to manhood, and the thrill that once warmed him leaves him cold and lonely.

Author Youse shares that although presented as historical fiction, the narrative is written by a former combat soldier who has studied the Civil War and whose great-great-grandfather, Israel Youse, is written in as the main character of the book.

“I want readers to begin to understand the exhausting stress, danger and fear felt by the soldiers from both armies. Subsequently, I wanted to have them be very aware of the truth that what was suffered by those soldiers is what all warriors suffered through in all wars since then,” stated Youse.

The author emphasizes that it’s important that the readers understand the message of guidance by dedicated men in command, those civilians who cared for soldiers, and the mentoring by adults. He also wants them to understand what causes “soldier’s heart” and its relationship to post-traumatic stress disorder that warriors during the last 60 years have been affected by. Youse expresses that when fear and anxiety seem unending, turning to God in prayer is not only helpful but biblical as well.

The novel is suitable for teenagers, but the author advises sharing the reading experience with an adult so that someone can explain their questions on historical significance, battles and the importance of the soldier’s families. It is also a good read for combat Veterans as the challenges of each battle or ambush are imminent regardless of the period of the war.  

“Death and Deliverance” is a stark portrayal of the bravery and passion of a conflicted nation, reminding readers that those on the other side of the line are not that different and forcing them to find the courage to fight and the strength to pray.

Death and Deliverance: A Young Civil War Soldier’s Journey
Written by Keith A. Youse
E-book | $3.98
Paperback | $9.98

Book copies are available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online book retailers.

About the Author

Youse was born in Carbon County, Pennsylvania. During the height of the Vietnam conflict, he found himself torn between what he felt was his duty to his country and finishing his college education. He enlisted in the United States Army and volunteered for airborne training to go to Vietnam. After being decorated for bravery and exemplary service, his tour of duty in Vietnam was over. Youse used the reality of those experiences he had in military service and combat to authenticate the action in “Death and Deliverance.” His love of American history and his patriotic spirit dramatize the events of his counterparts in the Civil War.

Vending Veteran Mark Minaglia Joins AVS Companies

Apr 3, 2021 | Business

Mark Minaglia has joined AVS Companies as the Vending Sales Manager at the Elk Grove Village, IL office. With over 25 years’ experience in route operations and sales, Minaglia brings a unique perspective and ability to assist customers in achieving success.

“The knowledge Mark can share from his years in route operations will provide our customers valuable insight in equipment selection and best practices,” said Tom Vogt, AVS’ VP of Vending Division. “He has been in their shoes and is not just focused on selling equipment but also helping them build successful routes.”

Mark attended Winona State University and has grown up in the vending industry working at his family-owned company, Rainbow Refreshments, Inc, and most recently, Absolute Vending Services. He lives in Algonquin with his wife and three sons. Mark can be reached at (847) 439-9400.

About AVS Companies:
AVS Companies (AVS) is a distributor of amusement, gaming and vending equipment headquartered in Elk Grove Village, IL. Founded in Chicago in 1971, AVS has established itself as the preeminent full-service gaming, amusement and vending distributor in the US for 50 years with offices in Illinois, Minnesota, Texas and Wisconsin. AVS offers a complete range of services to their customers and the manufacturers they represent, from the sale of equipment and parts to comprehensive repair and refurbishing. More information on AVS is available at www.avscompanies.com or www.facebook.com/avscompanies.