SLM has a new member of the family — but it’s actually a homecoming: Patrick R. Stevenson has joined the company as vice president of sales.
“We’re excited about Patrick returning to St. Louis Music,” says CEO Mark Ragin. “We’re experiencing tremendous growth now not only in new products, but new lines like Zonda brass, Dixon drums, Sigma guitars, and so much more. His experience and talent will continue to build on and expand the service we provide our dealers.”
“SLM is enjoying a period of exciting opportunity,” Stevenson says. “The sales team is efficient, trusted, and well-respected, and we believe that this is a very important part of our value to the industry, which is just one of the reasons I’m thrilled to be joining the team.”
A St. Louis native and avid bass player and collector, Stevenson worked in the Alvarez guitar shop in 1976 until he left for college. He then gained experience working in finance, sales, and marketing positions outside the MI industry. In 1989, he returned to St. Louis Music serving as the product manager for Crate Amplifiers and Audio products until 2005. During those years he was involved in global sales support, sound seminars, product and brand development, and financial management. “Executives at SLM always made it a point to travel at least one week per month with a St. Louis Music sales rep to music stores and listen to what dealers had to say,” he says. “We plan on keeping that as a priority.”
During his 16 years with the company Crate won over 40 industry awards for product innovation and sales success as well as recognition for advertising and marketing excellence.
Since 2005, he was a director of product and brand management at Guitar Center; an executive vice president of Hanser Music Group; and most recently worked on special projects for Fender/KMC.
“It is exciting to see that the spirit of SLM is alive and well after 90 years of providing outstanding customer service, powerful products and brands, and profitable programs that facilitate a partnership bond and value for our dealers,” he says. “St. Louis Music operates from a great premise: Big enough to effectively support your business, yet small enough to care.
“I look forward to coming home to St. Louis Music and working with everyone in the organization and our customers to help assure mutual success in any way possible,” he adds. Patrick can be reached at 1-800-727-4512 x 265 or [email protected].
