THE TECH GUY
WHO: David Welles, founder, Tunnel Vision Technology, a technology integration company that installs and programs high-end electronic systems, lighting, motorized window shades and control systems
RECOMMENDED BY: Julie Latsko, designer and owner, Style and Design by Julie Latsko; co-owner, Table Fifty-Two
WHY: Welles equipped Latsko’s current home with Lutron lighting and an entire audio-visual system, including a home theater. “The project was quite complicated, because they had to build such technically advanced systems into a hundred-plus-year-old home, but they did a great job working within the confines of the house,” she says. So great, in fact, that Latsko plans to have them work on another home. “The last house, I did everything pretty high-end, and this next one is more restrained. They’re willing to work with all budgets.”
HIS SPECIALTY: Making technical wizardry seem simple. Welles’ projects— which can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $700,000—are technologically ambitious (he might program a home to open the shades, adjust the thermostat and brew coffee at 6:00 AM), but his goal is to make everything easy to use. Indeed, Latsko reports that even her five-year-old can turn on the system. “We try to make it so easy that you don’t need to know how it works, just how to hit a button,” says Welles. “And all our clients have our cell phone numbers, so someone is available any time to help.”
Tunnel Vision Technology, 1640 W. Hubbard St., Ste. 200, 312-829-9145
RIGHT: Julie Latsko and David Welles at The Belmont by Reside
THE WEB GUY
WHO: Chris Pautsch, CEO and cofounder, KeyLimeTie web development
RECOMMENDED BY: Monika Dixon
WHY: Dixon asked KeyLimeTie to transform beecloser.com, her social networking site for the Polish community, into a public relations firm that, starting this fall, will link Polish residents to the city by covering new restaurants, philanthropy events, galas and concerts. “It’s hard to find someone who is reliable, always has time for you and contributes their own ideas—but that’s what KeyLimeTie does. They give a lot of great advice,” she says.
HIS SPECIALTY: Although Allstate and AAA are KeyLimeTie’s biggest clients, iPhone application creation accounts for 25 percent of the business (they worked on one for the self-help tome The Secret), and the company also does a lot of social media management. “Five years ago, companies were building their websites. Today, they all want apps—it’s an area I’m certain will continue to grow,” says Pautsch.
KeyLimeTie, 3010 Highland Pkwy., Ste. 500, Downers Grove, 630-598-9000
RIGHT: Monika Dixon and Chris Pautsch at the Pheonix Lounge at the Wit hotel
