Ballantyne Strong, Inc., a provider of digital-cinema projection equipment and services, cinema screens and other cinema products, announced the appointment of Gary L. Cavey as its president and CEO. Cavey also joined the Ballantyne board of directors.

Cavey’s appointment is the culmination of an extensive, yearlong search to find a successor to the retiring John Wilmers, who will remain with Ballantyne over the next 14 months to work through the CEO transition and will be primarily involved in expanding Ballantyne’s growing Asian business efforts.

Cavey brings 31 years of management experience and substantial accomplishments to Ballantyne. Since 2009 he has served as COO of Midland Radio Corporation, an international industry leader in the manufacture and sale of two-way wireless communications systems for consumer and industrial applications, where he has led a successful turnaround. From 1999 to 2008, Cavey was president, CEO and chairman of MAC Equipment, Inc., a leading manufacturer of pneumatic conveying and air-filtration systems.

William F. Welsh II, chairman of the board, stated: “Over the past 14 years, John Wilmers successfully navigated Ballantyne through a period of substantial industry change. He has played an instrumental role in transforming the company into a leading provider of digital-cinema products and services, achieving record revenues in the second quarter of this year. We believe Gary Cavey possesses the requisite management talent, international experience and leadership skills to build upon Ballantyne’s strong industry position. We are confident in his ability to leverage our seasoned senior management team, long-term industry reputation, global footprint and substantial financial resources to drive continued growth and bottom line performance at Ballantyne.”