Design and Details
For as long as I can remember, I have been around cars and had an interest in them. Maybe it’s a genetic thing — my grandfather was a mechanic in Austria, came over to the United States and eventually was the head mechanic for Borden Milk in St. Petersburg (back when milk was delivered to your door!). He would buy cars, fix them up and sell them for fun. My father was less mechanically inclined, but was still involved with cars. When I was young, he worked for Chevron, and then opened two gas stations. He went on to start an accounting and consulting business for small businesses focused on the automotive industry.
When I turned 15, one of the most important things to me was the Crutchfield catalog. I would spend hours scouring the pages and putting together “dream” car audio systems. That catalog was the start of my car audio passion.
I began to build and install audio components for my friends and eventually got a part-time job working at a local car stereo shop. After high school, during community college, I got a job working from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. every night, restoring and repairing air-cooled Volkswagens. I learned everything from motor building to paint work.
After graduating from the University of Florida with my master’s in elementary education, I worked full-time at the local car audio shop and then at various shops for the next few years. During that time, I had two interruptions, first at a mail-order import performance business and then doing graphic design work for a local direct-mail advertising business. A year into that job, I got a call from a friend about working at his stereo shop, which led to being the manager of the store.
The store I was managing closed and I took the opportunity to use my teaching degree and became a teacher. Four years into teaching, I had the opportunity to move to California and help my friend Bing grow Simplicity in Sound. I learned quite a bit about the power of online marketing and presence.
In California, I got to check off quite a few professional dreams: My friend Tom Miller and I wrote a three-part article about design integration and fabrication for Mobile Electronics magazine. The second was owning a business. The third was being recognized as a Top 12 Installer in the Nation by Mobile Electronics. It was very good run!
I moved back to Florida and while working for 1sixty8 media, eventually opened my own shop, Pinnacle Autosound. Navigating the retail waters as a store owner during my first pandemic has been a learning experience, but we have managed to thrive during the challenges.
Some of my industry history:
- Pinnacle Autosound, Owner (2017–current)
- Presenter at Knowledgefest Dallas (2016)
- Simplicity in Sound Special Projects Fabricator (2015–current)
- Simplicity in Sound, Co-Owner (2013–2015)
- Mobile Electronics Magazine Technical Article Writer/Coordinator (2015–2020)
- Mobile Electronics Certification Program (MECP) Advanced Installer (2015)
- Listed as a Top 12 Installer by Mobile Electronics Magazine (2013)
- Listed as one of 100 Installers by Mobile Electronics Magazine (2004–2005, 2005–2006, 2006–2007, 2008–2009)
- Mobile Electronics Certification Program (MECP) Certified Installer (2003), Certified Auto Sound Specialist (1995)
- Recognized for Outstanding Radio Shack District Sales (1989)