Shure Inc.

William Bevan has proudly served as an engineer at Shure Inc. for over 40 years. He was a key engineer in many of the company’s products from the early 1960s and running into the 2000s. He worked in the electronic development departments with a focus in his early years in photograph cartridges and microphone development. William often spoke of his enjoyment serving Shure and described his co-workers as “a family team.”

Don Gayle served as a technical writer for Shure for three decades, after a long and distinguished career as a professor of literature. While at Shure, Don’s language skills were key to the quality of materials for instructing customers in the use of each product. These materials remain a well-respected component of the company. His NAMM Oral History interview was completed on July 25, 2005. 

Sandy La Mantia is only the third President of Shure. The founder’s wife, Rose, hired Sandy to run the company for which she is still chairperson. The company has had a very significant history in the innovation of microphones, headphones, and speakers. It has also played a vital role in the development of the pro-audio market, beginning rather small in the 1950s. Sandy’s attention to the history of the company was apparent during his interview. In addition, it is clear he is also following the leadership of Mr. Shure in developing innovative products, along with maintaining a feeling of family within the company.  

Stanley Lager formed Dale Electronics Corporation in New York City in 1956. The company, well known as Dale Pro Audio, was among the very first to fill the growing electronic needs of vendors, installers, and the general public. Stanley befriended the Shure Brothers and sold that line of products in the very early days of the Shure microphone. He also opened the sales path for Electra-Voice and several other key pro audio pioneers. Stanley played a significant role in the defining of the pro audio market.

Michael Pettersen is the unofficial historian of Shure. He can tell you everything you’d ever want to know about the long list of innovations and long-lasting microphone developments so much a part of the 80-year old company. Michael has also served in several roles in his 28-year career at Shure including director of engineering. Following his 2005 interview, Michael played a key role in the capturing of Kay Koster’s Oral History the following year. Kay hired Michael to teach guitar in her store when he was a teenager.
 

Peter Schmitt was not around when his family started a small retail store 110 years ago, but is proud of the role he has played in the expansion of the business into a wholesale business. His son Mike is the current President of Peter E. Schmitt Music in New Jersey, a fact Peter is proud of, “This is our business and it is our family.” His son Mike was interviewed along with his father to provide us with a unique understanding of the music representative and how their role has changed over the years.  

Michael Schmitt is the president of Peter E. Schmitt Music in New Jersey, the wholesale business his great uncle formed back in 1926. Michael’s father expanded the company over the years to include pro-audio gear such as speakers, microphones and mixing board. Following in the family tradition, Michael heads the company as has been keen to provide the services their customers needs. As a result he has brought in sound reinforcement and DJ experts as well as sound engineers and designers. 

Rose Shure took over ownership of the Shure Company after her husband Sidney N. Shure died in 1995. With her great understanding of the products and office policies (having been employed there herself since 1949), She was able to not only continue the pace that her husband started, but expand and develop the company into a new era of technology. Under her direction the company expanded their product line to include wireless systems and personal monitors.

Keith Wilson helped design and manufacture the famed SM57 and SM58 microphones for Shure back in the early 1960s. As an engineer, Keith later came up with the idea of creating a system for vocalists, with mixer, amplifier and a microphone that could cover the range of the human voice. The system soon became one of the company’s most successful. While working at Shure, Keith also began designing sound systems for auditoriums and large performance halls. After leaving Shure in the early 1970s he formed his own sound design company, which is currently being run by his daughter.