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A Letter from Mike Detmer to Niles Dealers

Last week, Mark Terry, president of The AVC Group LLC. (formerly called the Linear Group) promoted several executives , including Mike “Sparky” Detmer from Niles Audio’s VP of sales and marketing to president of the brand, calling him “a truly iconic figure in the custom installation industry.” We at RS had been c

Last week, Mark Terry, president of The AVC Group LLC. (formerly called the Linear Group) promoted several executives, including Mike “Sparky” Detmer from Niles Audio’s VP of sales and marketing to president of the brand, calling him “a truly iconic figure in the custom installation industry.”

We at RS had been curious about how the various AVC Group executives had addressed management changes at their respective brands with dealers and their own employees. Fortunately the Niles PR team saw it fit to share Detmer’s letter to Niles dealers, which was sent out last week. For non-Niles dealers, this pulls back the curtain a bit to show the leadership style of Detmer, who is also one of the industry’s great people. Like most great leaders, it’s good to see Sparky still embracing the concept of the “open-door” policy.

Here’s his letter to dealers:

Dear Niles Dealer,

Upon joining Niles 12 years ago I had no idea that the company’s founder, Ivan Zuckerman, would ask me to lead his initiative to consolidate the sales and marketing departments as vice president. However my duties of overseeing corporate branding and worldwide sales seemed modest compared to those of Frank Sterns, the past company president. Yet after Frank’s recent retirement, when Mark Terry, president of the newly formed Audio Video Control Group, asked me to lead Niles through his consolidation effort to maximize the collective potential of Elan, Niles and Xantech I didn’t hesitate to accept. The reasons are simple: my loyalty to the Niles brand, my belief in Mark’s vision of a group of complementary companies whose sum is greater than its individual parts and my commitment to you, our valued customer.

So today I’m writing as your new Niles president with one simple purpose. To recognize your relationship with Niles, a singular brand that you in so many ways helped to build with your support. And to declare the intent to enhance our relationship as both our businesses and the markets we serve mature.

Over the past 30 years I’ve seen too many newly appointed presidents change their companies just because they could, and usually to the detriment of their customers. So my approach will be simple, respect what Niles stands for and add a new dimension. We will continue to provide great audio, elegant intuitive system solutions that enable professional custom installers to prosper in an ever changing market, and we will enhance our product mix to address new market opportunities as they arise. Guided by a few basic postulates of intensity toward everything, integrity toward everyone, and the courage to innovate; I’m confident you will like the results.

To do this I respectfully request your help. You see, sometimes as hard as I try, my vision is from inside Niles out, a necessary trait to effectively manage the brand. But your vision of Niles is from the outside in. A formidable view when harnessed. So please help me to see what we are not.

If you want to discuss your relationship with Niles or make a comment about the business, I invite you to reply to this message or schedule a formal telephone meeting with me. My mobile number is 305-798-8510. By working together we will build a prosperous future.

Sincerely,
Mike Detmer
President

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