From Campus Aspirations to Regional Expertise

Kontek’s journey started not in a boardroom but on a busy university campus, where Frank Kaha, then a student and member of campus services, recognized that existing AV systems could be elevated. Motivated by a desire to improve and energized by his personal interests in art and architecture, Frank envisioned communication environments that felt both modern and seamlessly integrated into their surroundings. His work began with modest campus projects—small upgrades and hands-on assignments that steadily grew in complexity as word spread and success followed.

To meet growing demand, Frank brought in trusted colleagues: first Dan Ville, known today as a “Swiss Army knife” in technology for his depth of hands-on expertise, and later Wes Newman, a talented friend whose support helped define the still-young company’s collaborative ethos. Together, their ambition was clear from the outset: see every communication challenge as an open canvas and meet it with curiosity, creativity, and technical rigor.

In the era of analog equipment, their commitment to client visions often meant battling with cumbersome connectors, sprawling cables, and equipment that had none of today’s digital convenience. Still, the team’s philosophy of blending technology thoughtfully into architecture—inspired by Frank’s creative background—emerged as an enduring undercurrent. Staying open to new possibilities, Kontek worked to deliver spaces where communication technology felt intentional, powerful, and attuned to the unique character of each environment.

That foundation—rooted in partnership, ambition, and technical agility—continues to influence how Kontek approaches every new engagement.

The Story of Advancement: From Analog Foundations to Digital Mastery

Every chapter of Kontek’s growth maps closely to the rapid pace of technological transformation in the AV industry. The earliest projects were analogue at their core. The team worked with 15-pin VGA connectors, complex RGB cabling, and a tangle of signal wires. Success depended not only on technical skill but also on a relentless attention to physical details—like the alignment of connectors or the subtle bandwidth differences that could make or break a system.

As digital systems emerged in the early 2000s, a new wave of complexity arrived. HDMI and HDCP shifted standards seemingly overnight, requiring the team to become adept at both analog-to-digital conversions and managing the intricacies of changing protocols. Equipment compatibility became a constant—technicians traveled with bags of adapters and never knew if the next connection would require solving a new puzzle.

Reflecting on those years, Kontek’s expertise expanded to embrace digital matrix systems that enabled organizations to send audio and video practically anywhere within a building through large chassis-based switching. The next leap was network-driven AV, where a single switch could now coordinate signals for an entire facility, moving beyond the constraints of even the largest analog setups.

Throughout, the company invested consistently in ongoing education and welcoming team members with diverse technical backgrounds: networking, construction, live event production, and more. Marcus Manning, now President, reflected on how experiences from the live event world taught invaluable lessons—like how signal quality depended on every cable, and reputable manufacturers were not negotiable. These lessons have informed not only technical standards but also Kontek’s insistence on quality, reliability, and transparency in what they deliver.

Listening to Dreamers: Consultation and Partnership in Action

Kontek’s foundation is a consultative partnership rooted in the aspirations of their Dreamer clients—leaders in education, healthcare, and enterprise who arrive with big visions and trust the process that brings those ideas to life. Many engagements begin with open-ended ambition: “How can we create an environment that inspires, enables seamless communication, or leaves a lasting impression?”

From that first conversation, Kontek’s team moves beyond simple equipment choices. They initiate a process of discovery, asking questions about the space, the way users interact, lighting, and even architectural features—all to create an AV experience tailored precisely to each client’s vision. The path from a Dreamer’s idea to completion is filled with careful listening, technical insight, transparent evaluation of constraints, and continuous guidance.

Realizing these goals means collaborating with many partners—IT teams, security, architects, contractors, and manufacturers. Sometimes, clients and partners tackle entirely new challenges together, pioneering solutions that stretch previous technical boundaries. This commitment to bringing new ideas to fruition is matched by a practical understanding that creativity must always be balanced with what’s possible structurally, financially, and technically.

One of the defining experiences for both client and team comes at project completion, when a Dreamer steps into their new space for the first time. Time and again, the Kontek approach delivers experiences that exceed expectations, become organizational milestones, and demonstrate that thoughtful communication environments can have a truly lasting impact.

Local Roots, Community Focus, and Forward Momentum

Kontek’s story is intimately connected to Durham and North Carolina. As one of the pioneering businesses in downtown Durham, the company’s roots run deep, with a strong commitment to supporting the local community not only through business but through direct service, charitable support, and pro bono initiatives. Employee-owners are encouraged to invest their time—volunteering with causes they care about and giving back to the city and region that have shaped their journey.

Looking ahead, Kontek’s ambition is to continue growing alongside the rapidly changing technology landscape and North Carolina’s vibrant institutions. The company remains focused on helping more organizations realize their communication aspirations—delivering technology that is sophisticated yet approachable, reliable yet innovative. Each project is more than a technical achievement; it is a step toward building stronger connections and creating value that endures within the community they proudly serve.