Jack (John L.) Schmidt, Principal, Special Lighting Solutions - (And no, that's not Jack on the left.)

Mr. Schmidt's background earned him the industry reputation as the "go-to guy" for Strong 

Entertainment Lighting followspot technical information and advice, troubleshooting and tips. Now retired from Strong, he provides through Special Lighting Solutions -- the same advice and support he offered the industry for the last two decades. .

Mr. Schmidt joined Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc/Strong Entertainment Lighting, as a Theatre Customer Service Representative in 1985, moving up to the position of Followspot Product Sales Manager in 1986, retiring from that position in 2005. A professional lighting designer and technical director, he holds BA and MA (1970) degrees from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley. Prior to joining Strong, Mr. Schmidt was a free-lance designer, also serving as Production Manager and Designer of Omaha Ballet and Assistant Lighting Designer for Opera Omaha. He is a member of Local 42, IATSE. He has served as a Director-at-large of the U.S. Institute of Theatre Technology (USITT), and on the Board of the Entertainment Services & Technology Association  (ESTA). He currently co-Chairs (with Robin Crews, of WJHW) the Followspot Position Working Group of the ESTA Technical Standards Committee, writing an ANSI standard on the design and location of permanent followspot positions.

Mr. Schmidt is an adult leader in Troop 1270, BSA, Council Bluffs IA, and served as Followspot Coordinator for the Arena Shows at the National Boy Scout Jamboree 2001, Ft. A. P. Hill, VA. He is also a founding member and past-president of Discovery Corps, Inc., a nationally recognized historical reenactment group portraying the Lewis & Clark Expedition, and past president of the Friends of Fort Atkinson, Fort Atkinson State Historical Park, Fort Calhoun NE.

Other technicians are welcome to join us to create a network of service. Their bios will be added here as they come on board.