Feb 1, 2002 12:00 PM, COMPILED BY SARAH BENZULY

Who: Jim Mack

Position: general manager, Tascam

Main Responsibilities: U.S. sales and marketing effort, as well as worldwide product direction

Previous Lives:

• VP of sales and marketing, Alesis
• 1998 worldwide sales responsibilities, Alesis
• 1994-'98 product manager, Alesis

I became involved in this industry: My first real job in the audio industry was in the warehouse of a music store called Just Music (Chicago). I also had a little sound company that I ran with the P.A. system my band had slapped together. I was able to do fairly well in sales, so I continued on that path. I spent over a decade in consumer electronics and pro audio retail, and then 11 years as a manufacturers' rep before joining Alesis.

If I could do any other profession, it would be: I would love to design and build custom wood furniture. Woodworking is a hobby that I love for the challenges and strategy that go into the concept, design, layout and execution of a piece. The problem is, just like my bass playing, I wouldn't be able to keep up with the masters who make their living as artists in wood or music. If I had taken that path, I would probably have ended up in sales and marketing for some furniture company.

My best moment since working in pro audio was: I always get a kick out of working with a group of really smart people to develop a strategy and then seeing it work as planned. One example that comes to mind is the crossover from the original black ADAT to the ADAT XT that replaced it. Sales, marketing, engineering, manufacturing and finance all got together to plan the release, and it worked flawlessly.

The first concert I saw was: Grand Funk Railroad in Chicago around 1972. I sat in about the 15th row in front of the left speaker stack. It was unbelievably loud. I literally could not hear for a week after the show.

Currently in my CD changer are: Little Feat's Waiting for Columbus, Steely Dan's Two Against Nature, U2's All You Can't Leave Behind, Tower of Power's T.O.P., Sting's Brand New Day and No Doubt's Rock Steady.

The last great movie that stirred me was: Hannibal. But I would say more shaken, not stirred.

I enjoy.…when I'm not in the office: Spending time with my four-month-old daughter Christina Marie.

Send your “Current” news to Sarah Benzuly at sbenzuly@primediabusiness.com.

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