AIMM (Alliance of Independent Music Merchants)

Mark Amentt was brought into the music products industry to help direct the then, newly established AIMM group, to better serve its members.  The group soon grew as did its noted annual meetings, which take place the day before the Anaheim and Summer NAMM Shows begin.  In recent years, Mark joined the Casio USA team, which has been another ideal job for his knowledge of the industry, the products and his unwavering passion for music. An active musician, Mark still performs regularly on bass in and around the Philadelphia area with a wide variety of bands while still finding time t

John Anning is the Executive Director of the Alliance of Independent Music Merchants (AIMM).  He began his career as a sales rep for the pro audio industry after growing up as a musician and falling in love with music.  His career as a rep expanded over the years and he came to understand the inner workings of music retailing, which serves him well as the director of AIMM.  John is also very active within several elements of the music industry, including being a mentor to those just getting started in the business.

Julia Arza is the Director of Operations and a passionate advocate for AIMM, the Alliance of Independent Music Merchants. She joined the organization in 2017 and has helped expand its summits, held at the NAMM Show as well as its website and online educational programs. For those who know Julia, it’s easy to see why she has accomplished so much with AIMM. Music is in her blood. Her great grandparents were both band directors and she began playing guitar in the third grade (thanks to a very influential teacher) and singing in church groups and for weddings.

Paul Finke played drums since he was just a kid and gravitated towards the music business in 1985 when he was hired at Willis Music. At the time the company had eight locations and working in the warehouse, it was Paul’s job to fill the orders being requested by each location. As his career developed at Willis, which he always attributes to the great people he worked with, Paul played a vital role in the expansion of the company’s combo division. The product line was enhanced to include lines such as Peavey and Ovation.  He has enjoyed the many hats he was worn for Willis, includi

George Hines began his music retail store, George’s Music, outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1977. Since that time, he has been devoted to the industry that he entered out of a passion for music and music makers. As his store grew, so did George’s commitment to his customers. He founded a local blues festival that has grown each year. George is also one of the founders of the Alliance of Independent Music Merchants (AIMM), a decade-old group of retailers dedicated to education and communication within the music retail industry.

Mike Kay runs the pro audio department for Ted Brown Music in Tacoma, Washington.  Beginning in 1984, Mike brought his lifelong love of music and audio to the company, which had two locations at the time.  Not only did Mike take part in growing the audio product lines, he took part in the expansion of the company as it grew to multiple locations in and around Tacoma.  All the while he represented the company as a member of AIMM, which holds their annual meetings at the Anaheim NAMM Shows.  His passion for the business and for helping each customer is evident in all that Mike does.

Creed Maggiora fondly recalls the pivotal moment when his father, Skip, asked him to play drums for the inaugural performance of the Stairway to Stardom program in 1981. This annual event, which continues to inspire countless young musicians, was established by Skip to encourage collaboration among emerging talents. Growing up immersed in his father’s vibrant music store, Creed inherited not only the business but also the deep passion his father had for fostering the musical community. Skip also founded SM Productions, offering backline support for festivals, tours, and local even

Eric Matzat, like his siblings, was introduced to music through piano lessons at a young age, but it was the saxophone that truly captured his heart. His love for the instrument carried him from school bands to professional theaters in Branson, Missouri, where he and his wife also taught in local schools. As a passionate band director, Eric formed a close relationship with Palen Music, the store that supplied his program with essential tools and encouragement. In 2005, he joined Palen’s team in a role that felt custom-built for his experience and dedication.

Jeff Mozingo cannot recall a time when he did not have music in his life!  His father was a band director who opened Mozingo Music in the St. Louis area.  Growing up, Jeff's love and sincere passion for music developed first, in the area of playing, then teaching and band instrument repair.  Today, Jeff runs the business with his brother and works long and hard to maintain the customer service reputation the store is so well known for.  Jeff has also been very active in several industry organizations including AIMM and serving on the NAMM Board of Directors.

Gary Wineroth is the president of the Guitar Showcase in San Jose, California, one of the best loved music retailers in the music products industry. With a historic past, the store has created a special position within the industry and for its generations of customers. Gary takes great pride in the praise that is often given the store’s employees; many have been working for the store 10 years or more –same as many as 30 years! The store is across the parking lot from a music school, which was developed as a result of customer service programs that focused on music education. Part