January 21, 2021 -- The MECP program, previously owned and operated by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®, has been purchased by the Certification Systems Technology Company™ (CTSC). This new company was founded and is operated by industry veteran Kris Bulla who has more than 25 years' experience with the MECP program and its operations.

In February 2021, the program will leap forward into an all-digital format. "The new all-digital format will make it far easier to get access to the educational material and take the logistical nightmare out of locating a testing center or trying to create a testing environment at your home or office. You can now learn from anywhere you have Internet access, at any time." Says Kris Bulla, Certification Systems Technology Company founder, and president. Learning content from the existing study guides has been transitioned to a new online learning platform that provides access to both the study material and testing from any computer, phone, or tablet with an Internet connection. This digital format removes the need to carry or use a physical study guide and eliminates the need to schedule and travel to a testing center. A new learning progress tracker allows learning at the user's pace and promotes higher-level certification achievement. Future improvements like a Technician Finder tool, account management, and expanded certification levels and content will provide far more value to those who have become certified.

The new program is subscription-based. If you are currently certified, your current certification is valid through the end of that particular certification, as indicated by the expiration date on your certificate. Your MECP account will reflect your current certification level through its expiration date as well for verification purposes. Once any current certification ends, or if you decide to upgrade to another certification level, you will be required to subscribe to that level within the new platform.

The changes and account access are expected to be available in early February. To learn more about these changes or to access your account, visit www.mecp.com. For assistance with your certification status or any questions you might have about these changes, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

10-31-2016 -- Sony has added 12-volt Industry veteran Kris Bulla, in the role of National Product Trainer, to the Actionlink Sony Car Audio team, in an effort to further improve their retailer support and to increase its ability to produce more dynamic retailer trainings nationwide. With soon-to-be-released Car Play / Android Auto head units, and upcoming product that will require new sales techniques and support, Bulla’s addition will improve the information that retailers have access to and their ability to properly communicate and sell it to the consumer at a critical time.

Bulla has held many different positions in his 20-year career, and the experience he gained while serving as a technician, store manager, account manager, rep and trainer helps him train effectively to nearly any audience. His technical and installation background and MECP Master Technician Certification is important in assisting with technical inquiries about the Sony product, which he will spearhead with Ryan Kuhlmann, Sony’s Car Audio Support Manager for Sony’s Specialty dealer distributors.

“I have long been a Sony fan, and getting the opportunity to train their retailers on the correct use and salesmanship of this excellent product line is an opportunity I could not pass up.”, stated Bulla. “Sony 12V is moving in the right direction by listening to qualified specialty dealers, expanding their technical capabilities, and focusing on the long-term stability of the specialty dealer within the aftermarket industry.”

“The addition of Kris to our team not only expands our capability to quickly assist our distributors and retailers with technical information and product training, but also gives us a dedicated training team that can now proactively increase the Sony knowledgebase across the country.” added Anthony Tozzi, the Distribution Sales Manager, who leads the Actionlink team.

In addition, Sony is launching a new technical support hotline for specialty retailers and their authorized distributors. Bulla and Kuhlmann will lead that team and will be the main advisors on that line. Retailers can call 855-SONY-12V (855-766-9128) for fast technical help and guidance on installing, setting up, updating, and diagnosing Sony Car Audio products, beginning Monday, November 7h, 2016.

Sony Car Audio and its 12V team will be at the SEMA Show in the North Hall at Booth #12039 highlighting the mid-November launch of their new XAV-AX100 Car Play / Android Auto head unit for $499.99 MAP. Kris Bulla can be reached directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 615-557-7716, and Anthony Tozzi can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 201-400-7833.