Bill “Uncle Bill” Sapsis: welder, rigger, company president, author and one of the founding members of the Long Reach Long Riders, has been involved in the entertainment industry for 40 years. In 1981 he started Sapsis Rigging, Inc. and developed the company into an internationally recognized leader in the design and installation of stage equipment. Bill’s seminar program has also garnered worldwide recognition. Bill is a USITT Fellow and a past member of the USITT Board of Directors. He is a current member of the ETCP Council and Chair of the Rigging Working Group for PLASA NA.

He is the recipient of the 2102 EVA Swan Award, ESTA’s highest honor. He is a board member of The ESTA Foundation and he’s on the advisory board of the New York City Technical College. Bill also co-produces the highly acclaimed North American Theatre and Engineering Conference in New York City. In his civilian life he has 3 kids, one cat and a rabbit.