He’s a 1st Generation Native Arizonan, and the owner of Witte Lighting Services & Repair, LLC, in Tempe. I’m honored to introduce you to Andrew Witte. Welcome to The Phoenix Network, Andrew. I was born in Scottsdale, but I have lived everywhere in the Phoenix Valley. My Mom family’s is from Iowa and my dad’s family is from Woonsocket, South Dakota. And what brought them to Arizona? They moved to Phoenix for health reasons. A lot of people have, Andrew. Health, or weather seem to be the most prevalent reasons. Do you have a big family? I have two brothers; both live in Phoenix. My mom and dad both still live in the Phoenix area as well. I went to high school in Mesa. You’ve seen a lot of changes growing up in the Valley, haven’t you? I remember, where we are right now used to be orange groves. And you’re married, right? I am married to Rhonda Neff, a criminal defense attorney here in Phoenix. We have a four legged boy named Lil’Dude. Tell us about Li’l Dude. Have you always been in the event lighting field? I’ve worked in this business for 16 years now in different roles but mostly service. I’ve worked with many manufacturers such as Claypaky, Elation, Chauvet, Martin, Look Solutions, Le Maitre, Ultratec, and others. I have worked on gear for most venues in Arizona, including fire departments for training equipment. I wouldn’t think fire departments would get into lighting, but it does involve electricity. Tell us how you’ve helped them How did Witte Lighting come to be? I started my own company in April doing repair, and service for the entertainment industry as well as being a dealer for companies within the industry for lighting and haze and fog machines. So you’re the one who creates all those physical effects for concerts & shows. A lot of people do. I tattooed one of the manufacturers, Vari-Lite, on my arm and that won me fame within that company and beyond. I continue to work with Vari-Lite and am fortunate enough to be like family with the company. Vari-Lite makes the robot spotlights, right? I became fascinated with robotics at a young age. I am able to understand how the parts in the instruments move and interact and I understand the underlying electrical currents and movement. It is a passion. I am lucky to work in a field where I learn something new every day. I do work in rock and roll, theatre, and other areas on entertainment. I come from an artistic family. My dad is an artist and sculpted. Both of my brothers do art as well. I paint and build models. I actually build models out of the parts from the instruments I repair which is a lot of fun.
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