There are a few new faces–and a few familiar faces—on the Mackie board of directors. The Woodinville, WA-based manufacturer of audio products recently named Gregory W. Riker as chairman of the board, succeeding founder Gregory C. Mackie, who was named chairman emeritus and will remain a director. The company also announced several new members to the board, including former publisher Paul Gallo and two Washington-based computer industry executives.
Riker, 48, has more than 20 years of senior management experience in electronic technology companies and has served as a director of Mackie since 1998. From 1989 to 1998, he was director of advanced consumer technology at Microsoft. Earlier, he was vice president of technology for Electronic Arts. Riker began his career with Atari in 1981. He currently works as a lecturer and consultant to technology companies.
Mackie, 52, founded Mackie in 1988, and served as a director and chairman since that time. From 1978 to 1985, he was co-founder and president of Audio Control Corporation, which designed and manufactured equalizers and analyzers for the consumer electronics market.
"I am honored to assume the chairmanship from Greg Mackie,” says Riker, “whose name is synonymous with innovation and quality in the professional audio industry. It's always hard to follow a legend, and we are pleased that Greg will remain with the company as chairman emeritus and continue to devote himself to what he does best - new product development.
"Mackie is one of the most respected names in professional audio, with a broad line of advanced pro audio products and unparalleled global distribution capabilities,” Riker continues. “The offshore manufacturing initiatives and organizational enhancements made over the past year have significantly lowered costs. In addition, Mackie recently has entered new pro audio markets with substantial incremental growth potential. As the company's first outside chairman, I look forward to the challenge of taking Mackie to the next level."
Greg Mackie adds, "With his impressive record of success at major technology companies and his intimate knowledge of Mackie, Greg Riker is the right man for the job. This change in the board of directors is just the latest step in our program to build Mackie into a larger and more profitable company."
Gallo, 59, was co-founder and the first publisher of Pro Sound News, which was acquired by United News & Media (now United Business Media, plc) in 1986. He eventually oversaw several magazines under the PSN Publications banner, including Videography, EQ, and Systems Contractor News. In 2000 he assumed management responsibilities for the West Coast-based Music Player Group (publishers of Guitar Player and Keyboard). Music Player Group purchased the Music Yellow Pages before it was re-branded as United Entertainment Media in 2001. Most recently, Gallo was named executive director, handling global responsibilities for the Entertainment Media Group, a division of CMP Information.
The other two new board members are Ken Williams and Jon W. Gacek. Williams, 47, and his wife founded Sierra On-Line Inc. (Sierra) in 1979, and he was its chairman/CEO from inception through its acquisition in 1996, including eight years as a publicly traded company.
Gacek, who has also been named chairman of the audit committee for the board, is chief financial officer of Advanced Digital Information Corp., a designer and manufacturer of automated high performance data storage hardware and software products used to back up and archive electronic data in client/server network computing environments.
The company also announced the retirement of long-time outside directors C. Marcus Sorenson and David M. Tully.
"I want to thank Marcus Sorenson and Dave Tully for their wise advice and counsel and their many contributions to the company's growth and success over the years. All of us at Mackie wish them continued success," Riker says.
Sorenson, 54 years old, served on Mackie's board since 1990. Tully, 58 years old, served on the board since Mackie was founded in 1988. There currently are seven directors on Mackie's Board, including five outside directors.