Meet Austin Wendt, Principal, and Andy Spolar, Managing Partner of AWA Reps. Together, they’ve built AWA Reps into a premier AV & Security rep firm, proudly serving the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. With a shared passion for innovation and excellence, Austin and Andy have grown the business by focusing on strong partnerships, customer satisfaction, and delivering cutting-edge solutions to both residential and commercial markets.
Tell Us What Makes AWA Reps Unique?
[AS] We’ve built our firm around the mantra “Service and Support When You Need It,” making it a guiding principle in everything we do. Our team members are always the first point of contact for dealers in the field when issues arise, delivering hands-on support and practical solutions. We don’t just take a call and tell the dealer to contact tech support. We know the ins and outs of the brands we represent across all our divisions, and we’re committed to being the ones who help solve the problem.
What Has Been Your Experience With LEA and Working With Our Technologies?
[AS] Representing LEA Professional in the Wisconsin and Illinois markets, our team has successfully bridged the gap between commercial and residential dealers. LEA’s versatile product offerings are well-suited for both environments, allowing us to support a wide range of integrators. With our diverse dealer base, we’ve been able to introduce the brand to new markets—even beyond the traditional AV industry.
Can You Share a Success Story or Project Where LEA Products Made a Big Impact?
[AS] We recently worked with an integrator who has seen a shift in his business, winning more commercial projects than ever before. Leveraging our industry expertise, we recommended LEA Professional as the perfect solution for a bar and restaurant installation he was awarded. The project included six zones of audio powered by the Connect Series 352 and Connect Series 354 amplifiers, fully integrated with RTI control solutions. He also utilized several of our other represented brands to deliver a complete, high-performing system tailored to the venue’s needs.
How Do You Approach Recommending AV Solutions to Clients With Different Needs and Budgets?
[AS] It all starts with making sure the dealer fully understands the solutions we’re providing. We take the time to explain why each product was selected—tying every recommendation back to the specific needs of the project. Price typically becomes a topic later in the conversation, and when it does, we adjust our approach based on the dealer’s budget while still delivering the best possible value and performance.
Is there anything unique about your approach to sales or client support that sets your team apart?
[AS] We continue to emphasize the importance of self-education—for both ourselves and our team—so that we can confidently serve as the dealer’s first point of contact. “Service and Support When You Need It” isn’t just part of our branding; it’s a commitment we stand behind every day.
What makes LEA uniquely special compared to other brands on your card?
[AS] LEA offers a wide range of innovative features, and we make it a priority to highlight these when presenting the line to our dealers. When additional support is needed—whether before or after a project—the responsiveness and expertise of LEA’s sales and support teams have been nothing short of exceptional.
Are there any additional comments or topics you'd like to share/discuss?
[AS] We view LEA as a key partner in the AWA Reps business model and are committed to growing the brand. We’re excited about the potential to expand our support for LEA beyond the Wisconsin and Illinois markets, further strengthening our partnership and impact.
A word from LEA
We look forward to continuing our partnership with the AWA Reps team, combining our shared passion for innovation and excellence to deliver exceptional audio solutions. Together, we’re excited to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the AV industry and create lasting value for our customers.
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