Jim Stella

Jim Stella began playing the trumpet in the fourth grade and continued to play throughout college and went to instrument repair school right after school before landing a job in manufacturing.  He began working for Leblanc in the Martin Band Instrument factory and soon thereafter became plant supervisor.  Jim helped create and design instruments with Larry Ramirez for legendary performers such as Clark Terry and Miles Davis.  Before the factory was sold to Conn-Selmer, the Martin building was closed and Jim was placed in charge of the closing of the plant.  Jim then moved over to Getzen where he became Plant Manager for the entire operation there in Elkhorn, Wisconsin.