Executive profiles

CEO, Christie Digital Systems Inc.

Takabumi Asahi is CEO of Christie Digital Systems, Inc.

Asahi brings over 30 years of experience to this role. After joining Ushio in 2017 as deputy general manager, he has held positions of increasing responsibility, leading to managing executive officer and chief financial officer. Before Ushio, Asahi acquired an engineering degree from Japan’s Chiba University and gained global business management experience in various innovative technology fields. He remains committed to Ushio’s mission to promote the use of light as illumination and energy to support human well-being and societal growth through technology.

President, COO, and CFO, Christie Digital Systems, Inc., Christie Digital Systems Canada Inc., and Christie Digital Systems USA, Inc. 

As president, chief operating officer, and chief financial officer for Christie Digital Systems, Inc., and its subsidiaries, Mike Phipps brings his extensive experience along with his deep understanding of the industry and Christie’s operations to these roles.

Since joining Christie in 2008, Mike has been an integral part of the company and is known for his exceptional leadership in his roles as vice president of finance, and chief financial officer. Prior to Christie, he led teams as a plant financial manager and controller.

Throughout his career, Mike has developed a firm belief in working as a cohesive team and the importance of understanding how financial results stem from effective operational execution. 

Mike holds a BA in finance from Michigan State University and is a Certified Public Accountant. 

Chief technology officer (CTO) and chief strategy officer (CSO)

Atsushi Kuroda brings more than three decades of experience to his role as chief technology officer (CTO) and chief strategy officer (CSO) at Christie. Atsushi is responsible for Christie’s strategic product line direction and managing the development of new products and system solutions. His mission is to expand Christie business operations while creating synergies with Ushio. With experience as an electrical engineer and a project manager, Atsushi brings extensive technical skills and leadership qualities to Christie.

Chief information & marketing officer

With more than 35 years in the movie exhibition industry, David’s held positions in information technology, operations, and marketing. David’s career revolves around customer experience and innovative uses of technology.

David joined Christie in December of 2018. Prior to Christie, David worked at Regal Entertainment Group for 16 years, where he held positions as VP, IT business planning, and chief information officer.

Prior to Regal, David was executive director and VP, sales and marketing, at a world-leading syndicator of movie and cinema information.

David started his career at Mann Theatres, where he worked his way up from usher to general manager, having managed some of the most prominent cinemas in Colorado and California.

Executive vice president, cinema

With more than 30 years of experience, cinema is in Brian Claypool’s DNA. As EVP, cinema, Brian leads a team of experienced innovators, marketers, and customer relations specialists who work to meet the evolving needs of filmmakers, production houses, and exhibitors worldwide. Brian champions Christie’s ongoing mission to create the products and services that allow global audiences to enjoy the best-possible cinematic experiences.

Since Brian’s first job as a projectionist in Ohio, he’s worked in exhibition, production, and post-production with companies such as Lucasfilm Ltd.’s THX division, at radio and television stations, for Avica Technology, and more. Brian’s served on the board of governors of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers and is an active member of the International Cinema Technology Association and Inter-Society Digital Cinema Forum, and contributes to the European Digital Cinema Forum and China Digital Cinema Forum.

Brian speaks at global trade shows and events and works closely with leading directors and technologists in the industry who, together with Christie, continue to push the boundaries of the cinematic experience. He’s also a regular contributor to respected industry publications.

Executive vice president, enterprise/ProAV

Michael’s incredible 30+ years of AV industry experience started in the UK at a rental staging company that supplied West End theatres in London. After moving into a business development role, he moved back to Australia and worked as a general manager with Staging Connections in Brisbane. His next move? Creating his own design visualization solutions company, VR Solutions Pty Ltd. (VRS), which grew to include offices in Australia, India, and Malaysia. When Christie acquired VRS in 2013, Michael managed the Christie Australia office and served as head of Asia Pacific sales for the enterprise/ProAV division.

Michael is well-positioned in his role, with significant experience that spans rental staging, theme park and visitor attractions, control rooms, and product distribution markets. At Christie, Michael leads a division that creates innovative AV solutions for many customer markets, from control rooms, government solutions, and education, to rental and staging, museums and planetariums, and more.

Executive vice president, professional services

Sean James is responsible for Christie's global professional services (GPS) division. Prior to this role, Sean led the global enterprise/ProAV team.

GPS is a solutions-focused team that supports Christie’s clients with project architecture, technology and software selection, interactive programming as well as installation and post-launch support. The GPS team provides these services for a variety of applications including ProAV, simulation, visualization, digital signage, and many others.

In 2005, Sean helped develop and deploy the world’s first digital cinema rollout of nearly 4,000 screens across the United States. He also led the development of Christie’s first NOC (network operations center) in 2002, its successor in 2009, and additional NOCs in Asia Pacific.

Sean joined Christie in 1997 and was instrumental in developing support programs and relationships with many leading Hollywood studios as they transitioned to digital cinema. He successfully won and developed one of Christie’s first major service and network operations contracts.

Sean plays a key role in driving Christie’s expansion in the AV industry. His insights into Christie’s goals and vision have been crucial in enhancing Christie’s reputation as a global leader in digital services and systems integration.

Executive vice president, ventures

As EVP, ventures, Clark Williams is responsible for all engineering and product management resources for Christie’s content management and processing products—including Christie Spyder, Phoenix^®​, and Pandoras Box^®.

Building on the success of Christie’s content management and image processing portfolios, Clark’s team accelerates the number and range of customer applications in this area and meets the growing need for unified, application-specific solutions.

Clark started Vista Systems, Corp., in 1996 in Phoenix, Arizona when he realized there was a huge demand for the hardware tools he developed as part of his technical consulting business.

In July 2007, Clark became VP, windowing and compositing solutions, after Christie acquired his company, Vista System, Corp. This acquisition allowed him to focus on high-end image processing products while taking advantage of Christie’s sales strength and global footprint. In October 2016, following a successful consulting period, he re-joined Christie as EVP, content management and processing.

Executive Vice President – General Counsel & Human Resources

Robert Ranucci brings more than 30 years of experience to his role as EVP, general counsel of the Christie Group of Companies​. In this role, Robert is responsible for all legal matters that affect the Christie Group of Companies and he oversees​ Christie’s legal team of attorneys and legal specialists. Robert is also responsible for human resources, globally.

Before joining Christie in December 2014, Robert gained more than 14 years of experience in the lighting and display industry, with tenure as VP, general counsel, at VIZIO, ViewSonic, General Displays & Technologies (a GE joint venture), as well as senior director of licensing and business development for the Rambus’ LED lighting and display technology division. In addition to his corporate and litigation background, Robert is experienced in leveraging innovative supply chains, customer channels, and licensing arrangements to solve complex challenges and drive successful outcomes.

Robert is a faculty member of the Advanced Licensing Agreements program offered by Practising Law Institute. Robert received his bachelor’s degree in economics at Claremont McKenna College and earned his MA, economics, and juris doctorate from the University of Southern California. He is a member of the bar in California and Ari​zona.

President, Nationwide Video

Bret Tracey is president of Nationwide Video (Nationwide) and is responsible for directing wholesale subrental sales and operations in North America. Nationwide is a leader in creative, alternative video equipment rental solutions for the ProAV industry, from time-saving gear casing solutions to freight-free shipping.

Acquired in 2003, Nationwide now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Christie. Nationwide operates in Canada and the U.S. and provides rental equipment, 24/7/365 customer and technical support, and technical training to AV staging professionals.

Bret joined Nationwide in 1999, as the director of sales, marketing, and business development, became VP in 2003, and was promoted to president in 2009. Bret has seen Nationwide grow from a two-man operation in a 1,200ft2 office to a 40-employee organization with six offices across the U.S. His detailed attention to operational improvements, staff growth, and improved inventorying have seen Nationwide revenues increase by at least 30% year over year.

Bret graduated with honors and distinction, Honorable Discharge Hospital Corps., U.S. Navy (Naval School Health Sciences), and attended Ferris State University in Michigan.