Rusty Brutsche

 Rusty Brutsche, a Thomas Jefferson High School (Dallas) graduate from the Class of '63 and a Bachelor of Engineering from Southern Methodist University, developed laser technology at Texas Instruments (TI) for two years. He is a legend in the entertainment industry, having transformed staging and lighting. His invention of portable lighting systems allowed for quick setup and dismantling, significantly reducing costs.

As a co-founder of Showco, he provided sound reinforcement for major acts like Led Zeppelin, Three Dog Night, and James Taylor, helping shape the post-Woodstock era of stadium rock shows. In 1981, he founded Vari-Lite, Inc., revolutionizing concert lighting with motorized systems that enabled lights to move and change colors instantly. 

Brutsche was also involved in productions like Jesus Christ Superstar and worked with artists such as Alan Jackson and Eric Clapton. He has been with VLPS Lighting Services International Inc. since 1980 and was president until 2002. He served as Vice Chairman and Chief Technology Officer at PRG Hi-Tech, LLC, and held the same position at Production Resource Group LLC from 2004 to 2011.