Ashly Audio CEO/GM and AV/MI industry icon Jim Mack is retiring and leadership will shift to accomplished AV/MI veteran Noel Larson. Larson, who assumed the role of General Manager on April 3, was previously EVP of Sales & Marketing and previously held senior positions at Harman Professional and Guitar Center/ Musician’s Friend. During Jim Mack’s tenure as CEO/GM of Ashly Audio, he led the business and brand on a six-year trajectory of growth. He concludes a career studded with leadership roles at JAM, Alesis, Tascam, Sanewave, and PreSonus.
“Jim Mack’s contribution to the industry and to Ashly Audio is immeasurable,” Larson comments. “He is one of the industry's key mentors for a generation of leaders, an amazingly capable executive, and most importantly to me, a true friend. While he will be absolutely missed, I hope that he enjoys his retirement and I am confident that his legacy of strong growth, technological innovation, and comprehensive channel care will continue to be emphasized here at Ashly Audio.”
Commenting on the development, Mack reciprocates, “Noel Larson is among the most complete executives I know. His strategic depth, industry knowledge and innate leadership skills make him the optimal executive to take Ashly Audio through the next phase of its development. I wish the entire executive team great success going forward.”
Coinciding with Larson’s elevation to General Manager, Ashly Audio has also named Pat Poole to the newly formed position of Vice President of Operations. Poole is an experienced supply chain leader and will help sustain and drive Ashly’s navigation of the industry supply chain issue.
“Ashly did well to insulate our new and existing channel partners and customers from the greater impact of the supply chain crisis and we have doubled sales over the last two years,” Larson adds. “Pat Poole’s addition to the team will only strengthen our team’s exceptional performance when it comes to availability, reliability, and matching a fast-growing brand with robust supply!”
Larson announced that American Music & Sound (AM&S) will be a distribution partner for Ashly Audio products in the United States. He says the move is aimed at strengthening the operational infrastructure and boosting sales and marketing efforts. With AM&S, Ashly Audio plans to expand its reach and enhance its market presence.
“Partnering with AM&S is a natural extension of both our strategy and our organization,” Larson notes. “The addition of this excellent team to our existing infrastructure makes Ashly Audio a better business, a better partner, and a better supporter of audio professionals, integrators, dealers, and system designers everywhere in North America.”
