ABOUT
Philosophy
ESI believes ATSC 3.0 will allow for the seamless convergence of broadcast television and on-demand OTT video, and deliver on the dream of watching what you want, when you want, wherever you are.
We are committed to deploying a new, wireless, nationwide network that will allow content owners/distributors to directly reach their viewers, and bypass the incumbent broadband service providers who have established themselves as the digital gatekeepers of the information economy.
History
The founders of ESI have been working to transform the world’s wireless and media distribution infrastructure for over two decades. They helped develop many of the core technologies that today dominate the LTE cellular and 5G broadband networks.
For the past eight years, they have worked to protect and enhance the Low Power Television (LPTV) sector of the broadcast industry in the face of extreme regulatory uncertainty. The recent completion of the Voluntary Incentive Auction (VIA) will at long last stabilize channel assignments in the new core of the broadcast television spectrum, and finally enable next generation broadcasting to deliver new services to the public.
Executive and Management Team
Vern Fotheringham
Co-Executive Chairman
Vern Fotheringham has dedicated his professional career to bringing the benefits of true broadband communication services to the global population. He has been and continues to be a catalyst for change and progress in driving this evolution forward. He has specialized in early-stage company development and maturation through the IPO and M&A stages. Together with highly skilled and experienced professional colleagues, he translates his clarity of vision into efficient operations and self-sustaining profitability.
Mindful of all fiduciary duties, he is a proven steward of investment capital who is focused on protecting the interests of all stakeholders. Mr. Fotheringham has been a serial entrepreneur in telecommunications, serving as a founder, CEO, Chairman or board member of eighteen innovative telecommunications companies, including: Norcom Networks, Digital Satellite Broadcasting Corp, Advanced Radio Telecom, Bazillion, Broadstorm, Terabeam, Adaptix, Mead Instruments, Castanet, Kymeta, and V-Satcast.
Randy Weiss
Vice Chairman and President
Randy Weiss
Vice Chairman and President
Randy Weiss
Co-Executive Chairman
Randy identified the value of TV’s visual format for stimulating dialogue with viewers and for extending the reach of the Christian message very early. He composed, produced, and distributed one of the very first Christian music videos on secular television in 1981–long before any Christian music videos existed. It was quite challenging to consider entering television in that era and years passed before moving squarely into the world of TV production for national distribution. But Randy’s programs have been distributed on a continuous basis across the nation since 1994.
By the late 1990’s, Randy had also become an LPTV broadcaster. He identified opportunities to continue expanding the reach of inspirational television through the medium of LPTV. Since then, his path forward was firmly established.
Since then, Randy and his family built, licensed, expanded, and acquired LPTV stations across most of the nation. Through their EICB (Excellence in Christian Broadcasting) family of stations, along with their International Broadcasting Network (IBN television), they built a network of more than 200 LPTV station licenses and construction permits which are now part of ESI. He has maintained distribution of a steady stream of quality inspirational and family-friendly programs offering hope and encouragement to millions of American families through free over-the-air television stations since their first station was turned on. More recently, he began to literally expand his sights to the sky via satellite and the IBN television network which also feeds the stations in their rapidly growing network group.
Randy identified the value of TV’s visual format for stimulating dialogue with viewers and for extending the reach of the Christian message very early. He composed, produced, and distributed one of the very first Christian music videos on secular television in 1981–long before any Christian music videos existed. It was quite challenging to consider entering television in that era and years passed before moving squarely into the world of TV production for national distribution. But Randy’s programs have been distributed on a continuous basis across the nation since 1994.
By the late 1990’s, Randy had also become an LPTV broadcaster. He identified opportunities to continue expanding the reach of inspirational television through the medium of LPTV. Since then, his path forward was firmly established.
Since then, Randy and his family built, licensed, expanded, and acquired LPTV stations across most of the nation. Through their EICB (Excellence in Christian Broadcasting) family of stations, along with their International Broadcasting Network (IBN television), they built a network of more than 200 LPTV station licenses and construction permits which are now part of ESI. He has maintained distribution of a steady stream of quality inspirational and family-friendly programs offering hope and encouragement to millions of American families through free over-the-air television stations since their first station was turned on. More recently, he began to literally expand his sights to the sky via satellite and the IBN television network which also feeds the stations in their rapidly growing network group.
Randy identified the value of TV’s visual format for stimulating dialogue with viewers and for extending the reach of the Christian message very early. He composed, produced, and distributed one of the very first Christian music videos on secular television in 1981–long before any Christian music videos existed. It was quite challenging to consider entering television in that era and years passed before moving squarely into the world of TV production for national distribution. But Randy’s programs have been distributed on a continuous basis across the nation since 1994.
By the late 1990’s, Randy had also become an LPTV broadcaster. He identified opportunities to continue expanding the reach of inspirational television through the medium of LPTV. Since then, his path forward was firmly established.
Since then, Randy and his family built, licensed, expanded, and acquired LPTV stations across most of the nation. Through their EICB (Excellence in Christian Broadcasting) family of stations, along with their International Broadcasting Network (IBN television), they built a network of more than 200 LPTV station licenses and construction permits which are now part of ESI. He has maintained distribution of a steady stream of quality inspirational and family-friendly programs offering hope and encouragement to millions of American families through free over-the-air television stations since their first station was turned on. More recently, he began to literally expand his sights to the sky via satellite and the IBN television network which also feeds the stations in their rapidly growing network group.
Jess Ortega
Chief Technology Officer
Jess Ortega has over forty years’ experience in the RF and broadcasting industry. He has a demonstrated history managing substantial, complex and highly technical projects; his expertise encompasses all aspects of project management including budgeting, design, build-out, implementation, regulatory compliance and maintenance. He has an unsurpassed record of exceeding expectations in terms of time and budget.
Recently, as Chief Engineer for WatchTV, Jess designed and constructed the nations’ largest ATSC 3.0 network and only ATSC 3.0 network supporting both MFN (four channels) and SFN. The system is currently operating in Portland and under testing.
Jess began his career in Oregon at KTVL. Over the next ten years he rapidly established his expertise in the industry by maintaining full power AM, FM and TV transmission facilities. He built a network of 40 translators expanding coverage throughout Oregon and California. He designed and built the first local TV station in Central Oregon along with 8 translator systems. During his various tenures as Chief Engineer for KTVL and Freedom Communications he was responsible for the re-design and construction of on-air and production facilities, and replacement of all transmission equipment.
Jess later assumed the position of Chief Engineer for KREM and later for KGW, both were KING Broadcasting Company properties. At both facilities, Jess was tasked with improving operational efficiency; with an emphasis on automation, this encompassed the complete re-design and re-build of all aspects of their technical facilities. He was also responsible for a $10M annual operating budget and $20M capex budget.
In 1994, Jess formed Broadcast Engineering Services, a company that provides consulting, design, installation and maintenance services to both full power and low power TV broadcasters. BES currently has clients in 49 states and seven Central and South American countries. He has designed and built a fiber-optic network linking collegiate sporting venues to LPTV stations and cable head-ends for the Alabama Sports and Cable Networks.
Responsible for station compliance of all applicable FCC rules, regulations and technical standards, Jess acts as the Designated Chief Operator for over 70 TV stations. In his career Jess has designed, built and maintained over 370 transmitter facilities.
During his broadcast career, Jess has also worked as a technical writer and consultant for Tektronix, a Broadcast consultant to Kymeta Corp. and an antenna design and sales engineer for Scala Electronic (now Kathrein).
Jess is currently the Chief Engineer for WatchTV, Inc. which owns and operates seven Class A television stations as well as 8 low power stations. He is also the Chief Engineer for Castanet; a software based platform and supplier of IP multicasting systems and applications.
He is a member of the Society of Broadcast Engineers and has served as Chairman of the Inland Empire Chapter.