Lenbrook Americas, the North American distribution subsidiary for The Lenbrook Group, has announced the retirement of Stephen Baker from a 49-year career in the hi-fi industry, nearly nine of which he spent as senior director of sales for Lenbrook Americas, supplying NAD Electronics, PSB Speakers, Bluesound, and DALI Loudspeakers to U.S., Canadian, and Latin American markets.
Baker got his start in the hi-fi industry in the mid 1970s managing several New York-area locations of Tech Hifi before he took on a factory role with Advent Corporation. He parlayed that experience into a successful career with Denon America where he took on a series of sales and marketing roles prior to and after the acquisition by D&M Holdings, culminating in him becoming president of Denon America and eventually senior vice president for D&M’s consumer and professional business in Latin America.
He cared deeply about the consumer electronics business, leading him to become an active and enthusiastic member of industry associations like PARA (Professional Audio Retailers Association) and the Consumer Technology Association, where he served on various boards and committees, including terms on CTA’s Board of Industry Leaders and as Audio Division Chair. He served the industry as it transitioned from analog to digital and was a significant industry voice during the emergence of the home theater and custom installation specializations.
At Lenbrook, he became intimately involved in ushering the industry’s headlong entry into music streaming, arriving at a critical time in the building of the Bluesound brand. He led the charge to find and bring onboard dealers and integrators that cared about delivering the highest audio performance and the most modern residential music delivery solutions in the industry.
“After so many decades of knowing Stephen as an industry colleague, watching him ascend and achieve so much, it was a career highlight for me to see him become a company colleague,” says Gord Simmonds, CEO of The Lenbrook Group. “Stephen has played an important part in helping to organize Lenbrook’s stellar North American sales team and to develop the growing strength of our channel partnerships. His care for the industry and the fierce spirit he has had for its health and strength is a legacy he leaves for the entire Lenbrook team as we move forward in a constantly changing marketplace. We are grateful to him for all he has contributed to Lenbrook and to the broader industry.”
Baker’s retirement is effective May 1, 2026, at which time the Lenbrook Americas organization will report into David Cain, executive VP and COO of Lenbrook International, with brand managers Jeff Earl and Jason Zidle stepping up to provide operational support of U.S. and Canadian distribution activities. Baker’s passion for the industry will keep one of his feet still in the game as he transitions to taking on limited-scope special initiatives for Lenbrook as an emeritus member of its leadership team.
For more information, visit http://www.lenbrookamericas.com.
