Starlite’s 2025 Year in Review: Growth, Community, and 40+ Years of Thriving

Starlite’s 2025 Year in Review: Growth, Community, and 40+ Years of Thriving

As we close out 2025, all of us at Starlite are filled with gratitude for our dedicated team, loyal customers, and the opportunities that continue to propel us forward. Every person here, from our office administrators to the technicians setting up shows in the field, plays an essential role in our success.

This past year was one of change, growth, and continued excellence across every department. Here are just a few highlights that made 2025 one to remember.

 

New Faces and New Roles

Growth brings opportunity and this year we welcomed several new team members while celebrating internal promotions that strengthen our foundation for the future.

Brad Giroux – Promoted to Integration Account Manager

Stacy Hamel – Accounts Payable

Dante DiLoreto – Rental Account Manager

Carly Hulse – Warehouse Technician

Nick Marcinko – Warehouse Technician

Jamahl Williams – Delivery Driver

Corshell Anthony – Warehouse Technician

Jaclyn Langilotti – Business Development Manager

We’re proud to see new and familiar faces alike step into roles that push us forward as a company and as a family.

 

Warehouse Upgrades

One of our biggest internal achievements this year was a major warehouse reconfiguration. Planning and executing such a large-scale move during our busiest season was no easy feat, but thanks to Warehouse Manager Ian Gill and his team, the transition was seamless.

The new layout improves workflow, expands efficiency, and provides more room for our growing inventory. It also paved the way for an updated client-facing demo room, giving customers an even better hands-on experience with our latest lighting, audio, and video technologies.

Systems Integration Successes

Our Systems Integration team delivered another jam-packed year, handling a full schedule of installations that challenged and strengthened every part of the department.

From design and engineering to programming and final commissioning, our goal remains the same: to make our clients’ lives easier through reliable, intuitive systems. The team’s commitment to meeting deadlines, simplifying user experience, and providing exceptional service made 2025 a standout year for integration.

Event Technology Highlights

Our Event Technology division continued to build on long-term client relationships while expanding into new markets.

We’re proud to continue partnerships with Deviate Dance, The Princeton Festival, and the National Bible Bee Competition, among many others. From trade shows to theatrical events, our crews handled complex lighting, rigging, and AV setups with professionalism, flexibility, and good humor, no matter how many miles were logged on the road.

A special shout-out to our entire production and warehouse teams for keeping events running smoothly, from prep to load-out. Your dedication fuels Starlite’s success.

Service & Repair Growth

Our Service Department took major strides this year as we became an authorized repair center for many of Harman Professional’s line of products, expanding our ability to support both new and existing customers.

As our capabilities grow, we’re also increasing on-site preventative maintenance and in-house repairs, equipping our team to meet the growing needs of our integration and rental clients. The department’s commitment to technical excellence and customer care continues to make a lasting impact.

Giving Back: Starlite’s Volunteer Efforts

Community service is central to who we are. This year, Starlite proudly supported several organizations that make a difference:

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Out of the Darkness Walk (Hard Rock in Atlantic City):

Starlite sponsored this impactful event and a handful of our employees participated, walking in honor of loved ones and raising awareness for an important cause.

Learn more

Ronald McDonald House of Philadelphia:

Led by Sr. HR Manager Lisa Kennedy, our team volunteered time to keep facilities stocked and ready for families staying close to their children during treatment.

Learn more

Adopt a Family – Volunteers of America Delaware Valley:

Continuing a beloved Starlite tradition, our team came together once again to provide a local family with a joyful and stress-free holiday season.

Learn more

 

Community & Brand Engagement

2025 was also a pivotal year for brand visibility and community outreach. Starlite joined the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia and the Young Professionals Council of Philadelphia, deepening our connections with regional businesses and thought leaders.

Our COO, Joe Masciangelo, not only earned recognition as a Titan 100 Honoree, but also joined the Titan 100 board to further Starlite’s leadership presence in the region.

We also made time for fun community moments, like participating in a local Trunk or Treat event with Chick-Fil-A in Mt. Laurel, connecting with families and sharing what Starlite is all about in a more relaxed setting.

Awards & Recognition

We’re humbled and proud to have earned several honors this year that highlight both our legacy and continued growth. Each recognition reflects the hard work and passion of our entire team:

SJ Biz – Jason Danowitz, Executive of the Year

Titan 100 – Joe Masciangelo

Inc. 5000 Honoree

NJBIZ Best Legacy Business

Commercial Integrator Recognition 

Philadelphia 100 Award

Celebrating Milestones

We’re incredibly proud to recognize team members who reached major anniversaries this year. Your loyalty, expertise, and leadership are at the heart of Starlite’s success:

Joe Kershaw
10 Years
Lenny Digangi
15 Years
Mike Hackman
15 Years
Brad Giroux
20 Years
Mark Walter
20 Years

Looking Ahead to 2026

As we head into 2026, our focus remains on growth, connection, and excellence. The new year brings new opportunities, and we’re embracing them with intention — continuing to expand our teams, strengthen our client partnerships, and innovate alongside an audiovisual and lighting industry that’s always evolving.

With every installation, event, rental, and service call, we’re committed to raising the bar. We’re proud to be your trusted partner for audio, video, rigging, and lighting solutions, and even as we grow, we remain dedicated to preserving what makes Starlite special: strong relationships, personalized service, and a team that genuinely cares about the success of every project.

If you want to stay connected with everything happening at Starlite, from behind-the-scenes looks at our latest projects, to rental gear spotlights, educational insights, and upcoming events be sure to subscribe to our email updates and follow us on social media. It’s the best way to stay inspired and informed as we enter an exciting new year.

Here’s to another bright year ahead. Thank you for being part of the Starlite story — we look forward to creating even more with you in 2026!

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Congrats Jason Danowitz on SJ Biz Executives of the Year 2025

Congrats Jason Danowitz on SJ Biz Executives of the Year 2025

Starlite is proud to share that our Vice President of Event Technology, Jason Danowitz, has been named one of South Jersey Biz’s 2025 Executives of the Year. This recognition honors Jason’s more than three decades of leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment to both Starlite’s growth and the people who make up our team.

Jason’s career with Starlite spans from his earliest hands-on technical roles to his current position guiding one of the region’s most trusted event production departments. Throughout that journey, he has remained grounded in the same principles that have defined his leadership from day one: authenticity, collaboration, and a true passion for the work. Jason can be described as the kind of leader who never hesitates to get in the thick of it with his team, whatever the moment calls for. Whether managing a large-scale corporate show, planning a complex multi-day expo, or troubleshooting on-site with calm confidence, Jason leads by example.

Under his direction, Starlite’s Event Technology division has evolved from a local operation into a Mid-Atlantic regional leader in audio, lighting, video, rigging, and staging. His forward-looking vision played a key role in expanding Starlite’s capabilities into the trade show and exhibition market, enabling our teams to support clients at events across the country. While those achievements are significant, Jason is the first to credit the team around him—and his humility is exactly what continues to elevate Starlite’s culture.

For all of us at Starlite, Jason’s recognition as a 2025 Executives of the Year reflects the values we strive to live every day: teamwork, integrity, and a shared dedication to delivering excellence with pride and professionalism.

Congratulations, Jason, on this outstanding honor—and thank you for inspiring our team, supporting our clients, and helping shape Starlite’s story with your leadership and heart.

Want to see some of our Event Technology work? 

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Starlite’s Season of Giving: Community Volunteering & Gratitude

Starlite’s Season of Giving: Community Volunteering & Gratitude

Giving Back: How Starlite Brightens Our Community

At Starlite, we’re known for creating unforgettable experiences with professional AV and lighting, but did you know we’re just as passionate about giving back?

Through our volunteer program, our team gets hands-on opportunities to make a difference in the communities where we live and work. And it all starts with the idea that success is more meaningful when you share it with others.

Our Volunteer Program: Making a Real Impact

Every year, Starlite employees participate in a variety of volunteer events. These opportunities are possible because of our team’s generosity, creativity, and desire to give back and because our founder, Dean Danowitz, believes in these principles.  

Here are some of the organizations where we’ve made an impact:

Community Food Bank of New Jersey

We’ve joined food drives and helped assemble boxes for seniors facing food insecurity. Simple acts, like packing a box of essentials, can make a big difference for someone in need.

Learn How to Get Involved→

Habitat for Humanity of South Central New Jersey – Rock the Block

In Atlantic City, we’ve rolled up our sleeves to paint homes, clean streets, and beautify neighborhoods. Helping long-term residents feel proud of their community is a reward in itself.

Learn How to Get Involved→

Adopt-a-Family by Volunteers of America

This annual program is especially close to our hearts. Each holiday season, we purchase gifts for families who often ask for very little. Knowing we could put a smile on children’s faces during the holidays reminds us why giving back matters.

Learn How to Get Involved→

Ronald McDonald House of the Philadelphia Region

We’ve volunteered to sanitize shared spaces for families who need temporary housing while their children receive medical care. Supporting local causes that help families in crisis is a privilege we take seriously.

Learn How to Get Involved→

Trunk-or-Treat at Chick-fil-A in Mt. Laurel

Sometimes giving back is just plain fun! Our team helps create a festive experience for local kids, showing off our creativity while connecting with our neighbors. It’s a reminder that community means helping AND sharing joy.

 

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Most recently, Starlite proudly sponsored the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness Walk, hosted by Hard Rock in Atlantic City. Members of our team participated in the walk, joining hundreds of others to support mental health awareness, honor loved ones, and advocate for life-saving resources.

Learn How to Get Involved→

Why Volunteering Matters

Through these experiences, we’ve learned that giving your time is just as important as giving a donation. Volunteering helps us:

  • See beyond our day-to-day routines
  • Stay grateful for our circumstances
  • Recognize the real impact one person (or team) can have

The Spirit of Giving, All Year Long

 

At Starlite, giving back is a part of our culture. Whether it’s feeding a neighbor, beautifying a neighborhood, or creating joy for children during the holidays, every action counts.

This November, as the season of giving approaches, we celebrate the ways our team spreads kindness, creativity, and light, both on stage and in our community.

At Starlite, it’s not just about lighting up an event—it’s about lighting up lives.

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2025 Philadelphia100® Award

2025 Philadelphia100® Award

We’re proud to announce that Starlite has been named one of the 2025 Philadelphia 100® fastest-growing privately held companies, an honor that recognizes measurable financial growth and business excellence across the region.

The Philadelphia 100® Awards are entirely merit-based, celebrating companies that have achieved exceptional, verifiable growth in both revenue and performance. This recognition is not based on nominations or voting. This award is earned through results. For us, that’s what makes this award especially meaningful.

At Starlite, we’ve always defined success by more than just the services we provide. Accordingly, our growth reflects the trust of our clients, the dedication of our team, and our ongoing ability to evolve with the needs of the AV and lighting industry. Above all, being included among the Philadelphia100® companies affirms the direction we’ve taken and the strong foundation we’ve built for the future.

“This recognition is a reflection of the incredible people who make up Starlite. Every bit of our growth comes from their dedication, creativity, and commitment to doing things the right way for our clients. Our founder, Dean Danowitz, built Starlite on integrity and innovation, and it’s rewarding to see our team carry that spirit forward as we continue to grow.”

Joe Masciangelo

COO, Starlite

Celebrating at the Philadelphia100® Awards Ceremony

This achievement became even more meaningful as members of our leadership team attended the official Philadelphia100® Awards celebration, hosted at Live! Casino in Philadelphia. The event brought together some of the region’s most innovative and high-performing companies, and it was an honor to stand among them representing Starlite.

Being able to send our leadership team to the ceremony was a special moment for us—an opportunity to reflect on the hard work behind this recognition and to celebrate alongside peers who share the same drive for excellence. The evening was filled with great conversation, inspiration, and excitement for what’s ahead.

Take a look at some of our photos from the event, capturing the energy of the night and the pride on our leadership team’s faces as Starlite was named to the 2025 Philadelphia100® list.

As we celebrate this milestone, we remain focused on sustainable growth, long-term partnerships, and delivering exceptional value to every client we serve.

Learn more about the Philadelphia100® Awards and view the full list of honorees here.

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Starlite Recognized in 2025 Commercial Integrator Awards for Outstanding AV Integration

Starlite Recognized in 2025 Commercial Integrator Awards for Outstanding AV Integration

Each year the Commercial Integrator Awards spotlight excellence in the professional AV industry by honoring companies that go above and beyond in systems integration, innovation, and delivering long-term value to clients.

While Starlite didn’t take home the top award this year, we were incredibly proud to be acknowledged as a standout integrator among some of the best firms in the country. Being featured in the 2025 CI Awards is a reflection of the dedication, precision, and pride our integration team brings to every project.

Why This Recognition Matters

Over the past year, our integration team has been in full force—engineering and executing high-performance AV, lighting, and rigging systems across education, corporate,  worship, and entertainment spaces.Being included in the CI Awards is a signal that the work we’re doing is raising the bar for what integrated systems can deliver. These awards are judged by industry experts who understand what it takes to make AV systems truly exceptional.

 

Featured Project: Arthur P. Schalick High School

We were especially proud to have our recent auditorium renovation at Arthur P. Schalick High School highlighted as part of the recognition. This project was a full-scope integration that included:

  • AV system engineering and installation
  • LED theatrical lighting upgrade
  • Complete rigging overhaul
  • Custom Crestron touchscreen interface for intuitive control
  • Integration of new and existing infrastructure to maximize value

What made this project shine was not flashy equipment. It was the thoughtful integration that allowed teachers, students, and staff to walk in and use the system with zero technical hurdles. For a school district, that’s transformational.

 

“The success of this project reflects our core mission: to make complex systems feel effortless for the people who rely on them everyday.”

Andrew Thompson

Sr. Project Manager

A Team Effort We’re Proud Of

This acknowledgment belongs to every person on our integration team who put in long hours, creative problem-solving, and detailed craftsmanship into every system we deliver. At Starlite, integration is about much more than technology. It’s about service, support, and building solutions that last.

We’re honored to be included among so many forward-thinking firms in the 2025 CI Awards, and we extend our congratulations to this year’s winners and fellow nominees.

Thank You to Commercial Integrator

Thank you to Commercial Integrator for spotlighting our work. We’re more motivated than ever to keep pushing boundaries and providing our clients with reliable, innovative, and user-friendly AV systems.

 

Want to learn more about our integration capabilities?