NAMM Board of Directors-Interviewed
Paul Graves began delivering pianos in 1957 up in Minnesota before moving to Alabama where he continued to deliver. He soon discovered that he would make more money if he sold the pianos and the love of selling soon took hold. In 1960, Paul opened his first piano store in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He...
Jim Trimper, Sr. is the president of Denton, Cottier & Daniels, a chain of piano and organ stores in the upstate New York area. The company was formed in 1827 and thus has a long history in each of the communities of their store locations and a dedication to service that Jim has continued...
J. Scott McFadyen served as president of the family operated store after his father, the founder, retired. Scott was heavily involved with the music industry by helping to establish NASMD and serving on the NAMM Board of Directors. Scott's father was also the mayor of Fayetteville, North Carolina...
Malcolm McFadyen served as president of the family music store just as his father and grandfather did before him. Malcolm worked with his father to establish many of the procedures for the store, including the personnel manual and the employee’s handbook. The handbook outlined the philosophy for...
Chuck Surack is the founder and president of Sweetwater Sound, one of the landmark companies within the music products industry. He formed the company in 1979 and worked hard to gather the brands his customers wanted and to provide the care and service he himself would want. Chuck has supported...
Robin Walenta attended the University of Northern Iowa and Middle Tennessee State University before joining West Music in 1982. She was named president/CEO of the company in 2007. She was appointed to the NAMM ExCom and has also served as a board member for the National Association of School Music...
Tom Schmitt is the CEO and Chairman of Schmitt Music Company, which was founded by his great-grandfather in 1896. The company, which now has several locations throughout the Midwest, has been an innovative retailer within the music products industry. Tom spoke of his family roots and how the...
Qian Ni is a classically trained flutist and the President of the Eastman Music Company, making him one of the passionate music makers within our industry! His devotion to customer service and his goals to provide the highest quality products possible have become renowned elements of the Eastman...
Keith Jorgensen opened a piano-focused retail store in the Salt Lake City area that would grow to 13 stores in three states! Keith Jorgensen Piano Centers were all run by Keith until his retirement, when his children took over. During his long career, Keith was a retail leader who created several...
Al Rinaldi was the first person ever to receive the Steinway Lifetime Achievement Award, which was given to him in 2012. Al never worked for the piano manufacturer nor did he work for any of it's sister companies. Al was a Steinway dealer in Philadelphia, who in fact was turned down from being a...