Industry Remembers Technology Leader Richard Holtz

by Katie Sloan

Richard Holtz, founder, president and CEO of InfiniSys, passed away February 10. He was 73.

Richard is remembered as a pioneer in multifamily and student housing technology. “He was on the forefront of service provider negotiations and low voltage design systems for multi-family, student, and senior housing,” said Angela DeBernardo, controller with InfiniSys. “He is pretty much responsible for this niche market.”

Tom Stender, who was appointed president and CEO of InfiniSys when Richard announced his retirement in January, agrees. “Richard started an industry that was nonexistent and has developed solutions to meet the ever-changing needs of today’s technological demands.”

Holtz founded InfiniSys in 1990 with the goal of providing multifamily technology amenities, such as high-speed internet, efficient control systems and high-tech security. As the demand for internet increased, particularly among students, so did the need for high quality infrastructure in student apartments. InfiniSys’ designs met that challenge and were even trademarked as “SmartApartment” and “NetworkedApartment.” These all-inclusive programs included high speed data connections, digital satellite television, high-definition TV, WiFi, access control, voice communications, audio/video entertainment systems, energy management, security cameras and alarms, video concierge, community channels, clubhouse theater and gaming rooms, Fitness center smart equipment and more.

“Over the years, as student housing, and associated technology has matured and changed, one of the constants was Richard Holtz,” says John Baloga, vice president of Single Digits. “His passion for multi-dwelling unit technology and his knowledge of the issues surrounding design, installation and service delivery were surpassed only by his dedication to his customers and the industry as a whole. He left his footprint here, with some shoes that will be very difficult to fill.”

Through the years, Richard worked alongside some of the industry’s busiest developers. “Richard was a great partner for Capstone,” said Capstone Collegiate Communities. “He guided us into the managed WiFi/fiber backbone era and helped us to design efficient and current low voltage design packages. He was a great partner when things were good and was always there to assist in resolving any issues we may have had with our cable or internet service. He will be missed.”

In addition to being a trailblazer in the field, Richard was also dedicated to elevating dialog and education on the topic of multifamily technology. 

“Richard was a legend in the internet/connectivity space, widely recognized as a thought-leader, and someone not afraid to share his opinions,” said Richard Kelley, publisher of Student Housing Business. “He was a good friend of Student Housing Business and InterFace Student Housing, and it will feel strange to not have him with us in Austin this year.”

In his personal life, Richard was a volunteer firefighter and paramedic for 25 years. He loved his family — wife Rochelle, son Jason (Jodi), daughter Jennifer, grandson Asher, and brother Jonathan — dogs and boating and had even recently obtained a captain’s license from the U.S. Coast Guard. He will be greatly by missed by his peers in the industry. Donations may be made in Richard’s memory to Temple Beth-El (www.tbeob.com) or the Union for Reform Judaism (www.urj.org).

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