As a young guitarist in 1973 working in a music store, I became more drawn to the tech aspects of performance than the musical side. I was fascinated by the emerging world of pro audio. In 1978, I became the first GM of Thoroughbred Music, where I orchestrated the growth of a small Tampa store into one of the nation’s most influential music retailers. I built one of the first dedicated pro audio departments within a retail music store and launched manufacturer-supported seminars that brought hands-on sound system education to churches, schools, and musicians—years before formal audio education programs existed.

In 1987, I founded Donovan Audio Designs (DAD), providing live audio and lighting production services for regional events. We’ve served an extraordinary range of clients—from the Rolling Stones, the White House Press Corps, and the Billy Graham Crusade to Maya Angelou and countless national and regional artists and organizations. As clients began requesting our help designing and installing pro sound, video, and acoustic systems, our contracting side expanded and our focus shifted away from event services.

Founded the same year, ACCI and DAD operated in parallel until a fateful Cinco de Mayo 2017, when ACCI president Richard Schemitsch and I combined our operations. ACCI became the parent company and DAD its DBA—we’ve kept the Donovan Audio Designs name for easy recognition by our longtime clients.

I serve as Vice President of Pro Audio/AV at ACCI/DAD, leading a skilled team in creating high-performance, user-friendly pro sound, video, and control systems. As much as I love this gig, nothing beats going home to my patient, tolerant wife, Patti, and our equally patient, tolerant dogs—and playing guitar (usually too loud) with my retro band, The Lint Rollers.