Freeman Companies

 Howard Bailey was the executive account representative for the Freeman Companies, which serviced the NAMM show. Howard became a beloved part of the NAMM family and helped develop many benefits for the trade show attendee as well as the exhibitor. Beginning in 1964, Howard provided detail dimensions and locations of the exhibit space (first in hotel sleeping rooms and later in the great ballroom and convention settings), which provided great benefit to the exhibitor, allowing them to be more precise about the inventory they brought to the show.

Wes Lane is respectfully known as The Voice of God at the NAMM Show. He earned the name as the main announcer introducing CEO Joe Lamond and his many guests during the Breakfast of Champions on the opening day of the Anaheim trade show, and during the Breakfast Sessions on each other day during the show. His passion for sound began as a child in Texas listening to his father’s audio gear. He had a successful career in television before becoming a team member of Freeman Companies. Wes became the account manager for NAMM beginning with the Austin, TX Summer Show, soon becoming a vit

Buddy Linn likes talking trash! In fact, he takes great care in making sure most NAMM Show attendees are unaware of the removal of trash before, during, and after the trade shows each year. This is his goal and he is proud to be a behind the scenes member of the NAMM family. Buddy began working for United Services Company in 1985, taking care of hundreds of trade shows and events year long. Buddy began working the NAMM Show in the early 1990s and has since developed many friends over the years with both staff and attendees alike.

Bob Lozier began working at Freeman Companies with Howard Bailey in the 1960s to support the NAMM shows. Over the years, Bob has been instrumental in forming the infrastructure to support the policies and procedures enabling the growth of the NAMM shows and several other trade conventions throughout the year. Bob’s NAMM Oral History interview was completed on January 18, 2007. 

Joe Pestka understands the values and procedures behind each NAMM Show because he has been a key part of the show since he was a teenager. His father was a carpenter for the Chicago trade shows and taught Joe the importance of an honest days work. Joe took that creed to heart and worked long and hard to help the NAMM staff and our members achieve the most successful trade show possible, year after year. Joe is apart of the NAMM family working behind the scenes insuring the show is a positive, safe, and successful show.

Deej White is a familiar face to those backstage at the NAMM show. As a long-time roadie and production manager, Deej has learned the importance of being prepared, for example he always has a flashlight on hand to help people on stage. After ten years of serving in the US Navy, Deej spent 15 years on the road traveling with performers all across the United States and five continents. He began driving trucks but soon his skills as an electrician paid off when he was asked to repair a guitar amplifier. He then became a drum tech for years, tuning and making repairs for live events.