Eden Prairie, MN – In 1976, Jerry Williams received a simple question from his pastor: “Can you help the members of  our congregation who are struggling to hear the service?” That question sparked a journey spanning five decades and helped shape the future of assistive communication in the Pro AV market.

Founded in 1976 by Gerald “Jerry” Williams, the company—originally named Williams Sound—began in the basement of his Minneapolis, Minnesota home, driven by curiosity, hands-on problem-solving, and the belief that clear communication matters. That early spirit of ingenuity laid the foundation for what is now Williams AV, a global provider of professional assistive communication solutions. 

“Helping people hear was never just a tagline—it was Jerry’s mission,” said Brad Kautzer, President and CEO. “Fifty years later, that mission continues to guide how we innovate, who we serve, and how we think about audio accessibility.”

A Legacy Built on Technology and Purpose

Williams Sound’s earliest products—AM handheld receivers designed for houses of worship—helped establish the company as a pioneer in assistive listening. Houses of worship became its first core market, setting the stage for decades of leadership in accessible audio. 

In 1981, the company introduced the Pocketalker®, a handheld personal amplification device that quickly became the industry standard. Today, the Pocketalker is used worldwide by individuals and medical institutions to support clearer communication in healthcare, home, and personal settings—more than four decades after its launch.

Over time, Williams AV evolved alongside the AV industry, expanding from assistive listening into a broad portfolio of professional audio solutions supporting education, houses of worship, corporate environments, government facilities, performing arts venues, and large public spaces. The company’s technologies have progressed from early analog systems to advanced wireless, networked, and broadcast audio platforms designed for scalability, flexibility, and seamless integration into modern AV ecosystems.

Expanding the Definition of Assistive Communication

Today, Williams AV is recognized not only for assistive listening, but also for its broader approach to assistive communication in commercial spaces—supporting applications such as language interpretation, guided tours, intercom, audio description, classroom audio, and personal device–based listening experiences.

Strategic acquisitions have played a key role in this evolution. The 2019 acquisition of Pointmaker expanded the company’s capabilities in visual communication, while the 2024 acquisition of TeachLogic strengthened its presence in education, reinforcing the importance of clear audio for learning and engagement.

“Our success has always come from listening closely to our customers, our partners, and the environments they serve,” said Per Persson, Vice President of International Sales and Product Management. “Every product we create is rooted in the belief that clear audio isn’t a luxury—it’s essential.”

A Global Pro AV Partner Network

Williams AV solutions are sold in more than 60 countries worldwide through a global network of manufacturer representatives, distributors, and integrators. These partners do far more than sell products—they work side by side with venues to understand real-world challenges, design the right solutions, and ensure enhanced audio experiences that meet performance expectations and global accessibility requirements.

“From the very beginning, Jerry built this company around creating products that genuinely help people, standing behind those products with exceptional service, and earning trust by solving real problems,” said Tony Braun, Vice President of North American Sales & Marketing. “That mindset still defines how we work with our channel partners today. They share our mission, they know their markets deeply, and they’re the reason our solutions are implemented thoughtfully and successfully in the field.”