FORTÉ to Acquire Audiovisual Systems Integrator CCS Southeast
With Expanded Southeast Presence, FORTÉ Strengthens Capabilities to Serve Corporate, Education and Federal Government Customers
MINNEAPOLIS / JACKSONVILLE – November 11, 2024 – FORTÉ, today announced it will acquire CCS Southeast, an audiovisual systems integrator that designs, installs and supports technology solutions throughout the Southeast United States. The acquisition includes locations in Jacksonville, Miami and Orlando, Fla., as well as offices in Knoxville, Tenn., and Atlanta, Ga. The acquisition will close on Dec. 2, 2024.
"CCS Southeast has built an incredible business serving customers for more than two decades," said Jeff Stoebner, CEO of FORTÉ. "I'm impressed with their long-standing reputation assisting education and corporate enterprises. The addition of these five locations serves as a catalyst for our future growth in this region. And Florida is home to many federal government agencies, which FORTÉ can now more easily support with this added presence."
CCS Southeast was established by John Doster, CEO, who grew the business into one of the largest AV integrators in the Southeast. Doster was instrumental in developing a customer base that includes the University of Tennessee, University of North Florida, University of Florida, Web.com, EA Sports, and many others. Doster will continue to lead the Jacksonville office as Area Vice President at FORTÉ.
"It's an exciting step to join one of the world's leading AV systems integrators, FORTÉ," said Doster. "Our companies have created similar work cultures for employees, and we have always focused our attention on providing the best possible service and support to customers. FORTÉ is a proven leader. To become part of this growing employee-owned company – with capabilities to serve clients anywhere in the world – makes great business sense."
All CCS Southeast employees will become employee-owners at FORTÉ effective Dec. 2, 2024.
Upon the completion of this acquisition, FORTÉ will employ more than 1,200 professionals across 40 U.S. locations, with plans to open new facilities in other strategic markets, including Tampa. In addition, FORTÉ is the major shareholder of GPA – which enables the company to serve large, multi-national organizations that have operations around the world.
