Member Spotlight
NAME
GARY P. STELL, JR.
TITLE
PRESIDENT & CEO
MEMBER SINCE
2009
COMPANY
PLATINUM VISUAL SYSTEMS
YEARS IN THE
EDUCATION
BUSINESS
33
WHEN WAS YOUR COMPANY
FOUNDED AND HOW?
Our company was founded in 1964 by Peter
Cosentino in Los Angeles, primarily serving
the Southern California market. Mr. Cosentino
started the company due to the large demand
of new school construction in the mid 60’s in
Los Angeles County and felt he would be able
to start and grow a visual display manufacturing
enterprise.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?
My dad would often take me to the shop with
him when I was young and I had the opportuni-
ty to make map hooks for a penny a piece.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN THE
EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTS BUSINESS?
I was technically born into our company spend-
ing my summers working for my dad as an
assembler, an installer and an estimator. Ulti-
mately, I graduated from college and became
partners with my dad.
WHAT MAKES YOUR COMPANY UNIQUE?
We are passionate about making the absolute
best products in the industry that last a lifetime.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT THE EDU-
CATIONAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY?
The people! I have developed several longtime
4 essentials | summer 2017