Peerless-AV staff have paid tribute to their colleague and friend Melinda Von Horvath after she passed away last month after a brief and brave battle with cancer.
Von Horvath was a popular and well-known figure in the AV industry, holding sales and marketing roles at InFocus and Milestone before moving to Peerless-AV. She spent the last four years of her career as vice president of sales and marketing, EMEA at the AV manufacturer before she died on May 12 at the age of 47.
Her colleagues and have now issued the following memories and tributes.
“I had the privilege of working with Melinda for many years. She was my friend, my mentor and a true inspirational leader whom I learned a great deal from.
“Melinda was a true investor in people and had an amazing talent of getting the best out of those she worked with to enable them to achieve their full potential. I, like so many other people in our industry, owe her so much and this will be her legacy. RIP Mel.”
- Richard Billings, business manager - EMEA
“Melinda was my first officer for a number of years. From a work perspective we had so much more to conquer together. We all owe her a debt of gratitude for her unwavering leadership in the development and growth of our European business. It’s fitting that we were honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2020 for International Trade; the Queen and Maggie ‘Melinda’ Thatcher are two of a kind. However, she was so much more than a work colleague for many of us and we feel privileged to have been able to know her and work alongside her.”
- Keith Dutch, managing director - EMEA
“Once you met Melinda you felt like you knew her your whole life. She was an amazing person that touched the heart and soul of all those she met!”
- John Potts, president
“Melinda was a Warrior Poet, propelled by a fierce competitiveness to prevail in the fight in furtherance of herself, her team and her company. She had a disarming familiarity, even upon just meeting her, and a kindness and compassion that made all who knew her warm to her instantly. She will never be forgotten, and we are all better for having had Melinda in our lives, despite her being taken from us far too soon.
- Nick Belcore, executive VP of global sales & marketing
“Melinda was unlike anyone I’d ever met. When I met her four years ago she made such an instant impression that commanded respect and admiration. What she had already achieved in her professional career was inspiring and, as my manager and mentor, she taught me many powerful life lessons that I’ll hold with me through my career and life journey. She believed in me, invested her time in me, recognised my strengths, supported me and encouraged me get out there and travel to broaden my perceptions, knowledge and creativity. I’m forever grateful to you Mel.”
- Beky Cann, Director of PR & Communications EMEA