Greyhound Receives Academy Award

By Noelle Bartl

It’s Feb. 11, 2017, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has selected three engineers from Lectrosonics wireless technology company as the winners of an Academy Award for Technical Achievement.

“And the Oscar goes to” … ENMU alumnus David Bundy (AA 71), along with his Lectrosonics colleagues David Thomas and Lawrence E. Fisher. The three engineers are responsible for developing, designing and manufacturing Lectrosonics’ digital hybrid wireless microphone system, used in the vast majority of American films, television and news productions. The Rio Rancho-based company’s wireless microphone technology has become the industry standard over the past 15 years. The award, presented during the Technical Achievement Academy Awards by Hollywood stars Leslie Mann and John Cho, recognized Bundy and his colleagues for “advancing the state of wireless microphone technology by developing a method to digitally transmit full-range audio over conventional analog FM radio links, reducing transmitter size and increasing power efficiency.”

Lectrosonics engineers David Thomas, alumnus Dave Bundy and Karl Winkler (who accepted on behalf of Lawrence Fisher) during the Technical Achievement Academy Awards in Beverly Hills.

“It was neat being honored in Beverly Hills, but designing new products is the most rewarding,” acknowledged Dave, who finds it gratifying to solve design issues and improve system features for better customer experiences.

After earning his degree in industrial arts, Dave started working on two-way radios at shops in Clovis and Roswell before landing a test technician position with Lectrosonics. His productivity was faster than his counterparts, and before long, Dave was finding a significant number of engineering design errors. In just two years, he moved to the engineering department where the alumnus found his niche using his problem-solving and engineering design skills.

Dave Bundy in his office, holding a printed circuit board for a wireless microphone transmitter.

“It’s interesting to watch the news and spot our devices in use,” Dave said. Lectrosonics devices are also used in Broadway shows like “Frozen” and “Lion King,” and their waterproof equipment is used in Cirque du Soleil shows, Sea World performances and even on surfers in major competitions. Their wireless devices are used by musicians including Carlos Santana, Pearl Jam, Ricky Martin, John Fogerty, Slash, Stevie Young with AC/DC and more.

“The only negative feedback we’ve received from our customers is that the actresses in the Broadway productions refuse to use any other brand because they like how small and lightweight our hidden wireless microphone SSM transmitter fits into their hair or wigs,” said Dave.