Presenters:

Charlie Hughes

Charlie Hughes is currently the principal engineer for electroacoustics at Biamp Systems.  Previously, he was the principal consultant at Excelsior Audio, during which time he also worked for Ahnert Feistel Media Group (AFMG).  Charlie has been involved in the design, measurement, and optimization of loudspeaker systems for over 35 years and a member of the AES since 1994.  He is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology with a BS Physics degree.  Prior to starting Excelsior Audio in 2005, he was employed by Peavey Electronics and Altec Lansing.

One of Charlie’s primary areas of interest within the field of electroacoustics is the directivity control of radiation from loudspeakers and loudspeaker arrays.  He has designed many commercially successful loudspeaker systems and horns in conjunction with this endeavor, as well as becoming very involved with loudspeaker modeling and simulation.  Six US patents have been issued to him as a result of his work and designs in this area.  He holds two other US patents related to noise cancellation.

Charlie is active in the AES with a keen interest in standards development.  He is a member of the AES Standards and Steering Committees, as well as five working groups: currently serving as the chair of SC‑04‑03, Loudspeaker Modeling and Measurement.  He has authored or co-authored multiple AES papers, has been an invited panelist at several Live Sound Seminars and Workshops at numerous AES conventions, including chairing one on subwoofer array directivity, and been invited to lecture at local AES section events.  Additionally, his technical articles have appeared in many industry publications.  Charlie was formerly a member of the IEC, served as moderator for the AVIXA Spectral Balance standard committee, and chaired the Consumer Technology Association standards group CTA R3 WG1.  During his 15 year tenure there ANSI/CTA‑2010, ANSI/CTA‑2034, and ANSI/CTA‑2099 standards were published.  As a result of his work, he received the 2013 CTA Technology Achievement Award.

John Loufik

John specializes in loudspeaker and acoustic system design and has been with Biamp’s Loudspeaker Solutions Group (LSG) since 2019. He previously spent over a decade with Community Light & Sound after joining its Technical Applications Group in 2006. Based at the Chester, PA manufacturing facility, John has held roles in applications engineering and project management, providing system design and technical support, contributing to product development, and leading loudspeaker-focused education initiatives.

Earlier in his career, John owned and operated an AV design and installation company and worked in professional audio retail, transitioning into audio in 2001 after a career in pastoral ministry. He has designed sound systems for venues ranging from education, houses of worship, and corporate spaces to sports arenas, transit facilities, military installations, and aerospace launch sites.

John holds a BA from Asbury University and an AA from Rowan University South. He has contributed to industry publications, presented at InfoComm, and recently contributed to the Handbook of Sound Engineers (6th Edition).

Denny McLane

Denny McLane is a senior audio professional with more than four decades of experience spanning two tenures as a design consultant, along with product development, consultant relations, system design, sales leadership, and live production. He currently serves as Consultant Liaison for Western North America at Biamp. 

Known for his deep technical fluency and long-standing relationships within the AEC and professional audio communities, Denny has held leadership roles at Jaffe Holden Acoustics, The Sexton Group, JBL, Meyer Sound/LCS, Harman (BSS), Aphex Systems, Aviom, AtlasIED, Symetrix, and his own company, Sound Techniques. His career includes launching and managing successful manufacturers’ sales organizations, driving specification-based design adoption, advancing groundbreaking innovations such as the Variable Room Acoustics System (now Meyer Sound Constellation), for which he designed the first two installations in Los Angeles and Prague, and contributing to products deployed in iconic venues including Broadway, Disney theme parks, and Cirque du Soleil. 

Beginning as a live sound engineer and production company owner working with world-class artists and institutions, Denny brings a rare blend of hands-on field experience, strategic market insight, and a consultant-centered perspective to every engagement

Todd Stevens

Todd Stevens is a senior professional audio sales and systems specialist with decades of experience spanning loudspeaker system design, technical sales leadership, manufacturer representation, and customer enablement across diverse market verticals. He currently serves as Director of Loudspeaker Sales for the Americas at Biamp, where he leads the Loudspeaker Solutions Group and supports sound system design efforts for large venues, houses of worship, sports facilities, themed entertainment, and performance spaces throughout the region. Todd’s work bridges engineering, sales, logistics, and field support, with a focus on helping integrators and end users implement loudspeaker systems that achieve clear performance goals—balancing coverage, intelligibility, and budget realities. 

His background includes progressive roles with Waves Audio, Presonus, Manley Laboratories, and Community Professional Loudspeakers, providing him with a broad foundation across analog and digital audio, software-based signal processing, and professional loudspeaker development. With his collaborative approach and practical design mindset, Todd combines data-driven system evaluation with an appreciation for the subjective human experience of sound, bringing both technical rigor and real-world perspective to every project.