About AVE
Our History
Audio Video Electronics (AVE) was started in a garage in 1993, before opening as a TV/Radio repair shop in downtown Hopkins in 1994. There a young Stefan Svärd interned while working on his degree in Audio Engineering, and learned the business of selling and installing A/V equipment. Then in 1999 Stefan purchased AVE and began selling and installing sound systems. After bumping into Stefan several times in the local market, Kevin Crow joined AVE as Vice President in 2002, bringing extensive knowledge in corporate AV video projection and production. From there AVE has become one of the area's best integrated design and installation companies specializing in room acoustics, sound, video and stage lighting systems. Today AVE continues to prosper and grow, owing its long term success to a dedicated team of fourteen individuals.
Our Mission
Through skilled and highly-trained professionals, design, provide and install innovative state-of-the-art audio, video & lighting solutions with unparalleled integrity, support and reliability.
Our Leadership
Stefan Svärd
Principal/President
Stefan brings over 16 years experience working in the audio-visual industry to AVE. Blending practical hands-on experience with professional training, Stefan provides leadership designing systems that that are high performance yet affordable. He works with customers to oversee the proper design and installation of each system and to complete the final evaluation of room acoustics and audio system tuning. His years of experience have gained a large base of customers.
Stefan’s education background includes an honors degree in professional audio engineering from Ridgewater College in Hutchinson, MN. Industry training includes SYN-AUD-CON Seminars, EASE 4.1 Design and many other technology related courses. Stefan also facilitates training for the 4-year EST Certification Program administrated by the National Systems Contractors Association (NSCA).
Kevin Crow
Vice President Sales & Marketing
Kevin has over 16 years experience in the audio-visual industry working with corporations, schools, municipalities and houses of worship. Kevin’s specialty is the design and installation of sound, video and lighting systems in new construction projects. Kevin also has experience and knowledge to assist in developing basic to intermediate television production.
Kevin’s education background includes a degree in Marketing Communications from Hennepin Community College. Industry training includes certification from Extron Institute’s School of A/V Technologies, SYN-AUD-CON Seminars and sound system engineering and design. Kevin has an achieved Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) by International Communications Industry’s Association and is a member of the National Systems Contractors Association (NSCA).
Our Staff
The employees at AVE are what ensure the high level of quality service to our customers. Meet the people who make it happen.