Ben Klenk - VP of Revenue and Customer Experience
Ben Klenk is the Vice President of Revenue and Customer Experience at The Music Room, where he leads sales, purchasing, logistics, and customer experience. His focus is simple and consistent: help the business grow in a healthy way while making sure customers feel taken care of at every step.
Ben joined The Music Room in 2021 and has grown through several roles across the organization, giving him a firsthand view of how the business works from the ground up. He’s spent time directly with customers, coached and developed sales teams, and helped shape the systems and processes that support the company’s growth. That range of experience allows him to balance big-picture strategy with the day-to-day details that actually make things run well.
As a leader, Ben is known for being steady, thoughtful, and clear. He values ownership, follow-through, and working together as a team. He believes the best results come when people understand the purpose behind their work and are trusted to do it well. His approach is practical, people-focused, and rooted in long-term relationships rather than quick wins.
Outside of work, Ben is family-focused and enjoys staying active, unplugging with music, and spending summers near Lake Michigan, where time outdoors is a priority.
Jason Manning - HiFi Purchasing Manager
Jason R. Manning is the HiFi Purchasing Manager at TMR Audio, where he leads the sourcing and evaluation of high-end audio components across trade-ins, consignments, and direct purchases. He partners with customers and internal teams to assess condition and value, ensure accurate representation, and keep inventory moving with a strong focus on trust and long-term relationships. With 20+ years in sales-facing work, including account management experience and functional team building, he brings practical, customer-centered judgment to every buying decision.
Jason’s leadership style is grounded in collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. He sets clear expectations, coaches teams to make sound decisions under time pressure, and prioritizes direct communication, especially when details impact the customer experience. He is known for a “start now and refine” mindset, encouraging steady action, learning, and follow-through rather than over-analysis.
Outside of work, Jason enjoys reading up on history, outdoor exploring, gym time with his wife, and daydreaming about his dream garage!
David Pew - HiFi Guide Manager
David Pew is the Sales Manager at The Music Room, where he leads the sales team and manages strategic partnerships with the world’s leading audio brands. With a customer-first mindset, he is dedicated to ensuring every client receives expert guidance on their journey to build their perfect high-fidelity system.
David brings a unique, dual perspective to his leadership role, having served as a key member of The Music Room's purchasing team before becoming Sales Manager. In his prior role as a buyer, he developed a deep, data-driven expertise in product valuation and market trends. This experience, combined with nearly two decades in sales and sales management at major retailers, gives him a comprehensive understanding of both the product lifecycle and the customer journey.
David believes that trust is the cornerstone of any successful audio purchase. He fosters a collaborative and educational environment, empowering his team to act as true HiFi Guides. He is committed to creating a seamless and enjoyable experience for customers throughout their hifi journey.
Outside of TMR, David is an avid music lover who also enjoys spending time with his family.
Cory Hale - Customer Experience Manager
Cory Hale is our Manager of Customer Experience, where he leads the organization’s customer-facing support team with a focus on service quality, responsiveness, and consistency. He oversees the support team, live chat, and reception, ensuring customers receive timely, thoughtful, and effective assistance at every point of contact. With more than 25 years of experience in customer service and management, he brings steady leadership and a deep understanding of what drives positive customer relationships.
Throughout his professional life, Cory has held a range of leadership roles across customer support and service operations, building and guiding teams through growth, change, and increasing customer expectations. He is known for strengthening service processes, developing team members, and maintaining high standards while keeping the customer experience practical and human. His long-standing experience enables him to anticipate challenges, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement solutions that balance efficiency with care.
Cory’s leadership style centers on kindness, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement--with the occasional dad joke. He believes strong customer experiences start with well-supported teams and clear communication. By encouraging ownership and problem-solving, he fosters an environment where employees can do their best work and customers feel genuinely supported.
Outside of work, Cory is a lifelong music enthusiast and dedicated audiophile, always exploring ways to refine and elevate the listening experience.
Pat Schaper - Quality Operations Manager
Pat Schaper serves as the Quality Operations Manager at The Music Room (TMR) in Erie, Colorado. In this role, he oversees the entire operational lifecycle of the warehouse, encompassing receiving, testing, repair, photography, warehousing, and shipping. Since joining TMR in early 2025, Pat’s impact has been immediate. Initially hired as a Tester and later promoted to Project Lead, his leadership and ability to streamline complex workflows led to his promotion to Quality Operations Manager in July 2025.
With over two decades of experience in IT technical delivery and systems management, Pat brings a sophisticated, data-driven approach to warehouse operations. Prior to joining TMR, he served as a Technical Delivery Manager for The Hertz Corporation, acting as the critical liaison between business units and IT development teams. His career also includes a seven-year tenure at IBM as a Business Area Manager, leading diverse technology development teams. Pat also possesses a lifelong passion for sports, having dedicated over a decade to working as an in-game Audio/Visual technician for various collegiate and professional sports teams, including collegiate and professional basketball, hockey, and baseball.
A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Pat also holds a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems. Pat’s expertise is rooted in a rare blend of technical proficiency and leadership. He is recognized for his detail-oriented approach and his commitment to professional development, consistently bridging the gap between high-level business strategy and front-line execution.
Rafael Manterola - VP of Information technology
Rafael Manterola joined The Music Room as the Vice-President of Information Technology in January 2026. He oversees the end-to-end technical offering for the organization: including hardware, software, technical services and user experience.
Rafael’s career in technology spans many areas including designing, developing and launching several corporate scale systems from state and federal regulated systems to secure healthcare portals to entrepreneurial Ecommerce companies.
Prior to joining TMR Rafael served as Head of Technology for a boutique Ecommerce company. There, he led the company through re-hosting of several systems (Ecommerce, ERP. CRM & WMS) along with several process improvements leading to many cost savings.
Additionally, Rafael worked directly for companies like Florida Power & Light and Carnival cruises where he led the end-to-end development and implementation of marketing and sales portals.
Rafael is actively involved in the growth of technology systems. He is part of advisory boards for Ecommerce, ERP and back-office systems. He was the executive sponsor and technical architect of a marketing system (Print, Email, Online) used and subsequently acquired by Carnival Cruises.
Rafael holds a bachelor’s degree in science in Management in Information Systems from Florida Internal University, he is an avid chess player. On his time off, Rafael enjoys spending time with his family or spending time on the pickleball court.
Martha Montoya - Director of Human Relations
Martha Montoya is the Human Resources Director at The Music Room, where she leads all aspects of the employee experience across a growing, multi-state organization. She oversees recruitment, onboarding and offboarding, payroll, benefits administration, compliance, and performance processes, while also serving as a strategic partner to the leadership team. Her work ensures that people’s operations are aligned with business goals, operational metrics, and long-term growth strategies.
With extensive experience supporting both onsite and fully remote teams, Martha brings a comprehensive and hands-on approach to HR. She is known for building clear, scalable systems that support compliance across multiple states while keeping people at the center of decision-making. Her background includes designing compensation frameworks, implementing performance and engagement programs, and translating complex regulations into practical, employee-friendly processes that work in real life.
As a leader, Martha values transparency, accountability, and collaboration. She believes strong culture is built through consistency, trust, and genuine connection, and she is deeply committed to creating an environment where employees feel supported, heard, and empowered to do their best work.
Outside of her HR responsibilities, Martha enjoys spending time in her community learning how to play golf and pickleball. During quieter moments, she appreciates slowing down with a good puzzle and reading inspirational books.
Peter Glenn - Quality Assurance Director
Peter Glenn is the Director of Quality Assurance at TMR, overseeing incoming products to ensure they are thoroughly tested, properly processed, and delivered with the highest possible standards TMR has come to represent. With over 25 years of experience in professional and home audio repair and installation—along with extensive customer support and sales experience—Peter brings a rare blend of deep technical expertise and real-world customer insight to his role.
Driven by a lifelong curiosity, Peter approaches audio not just as equipment, but as a powerful way music enhances our lives and the lives of our customers. His passion for learning and sharing knowledge makes him a trusted resource for both TMR employees and customers. Through collaboration, curiosity, and a strong customer-first mindset, Peter helps guide TMR’s commitment to excellence
While there are countless ways to build a hi-fi system, Peter believes the right system is the one you can’t wait to turn on—whenever even the smallest opportunity to listen arises.
Outside of work, Peter enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time in the garden with his wife—interests that reflect the same appreciation for craft, balance, and care that he brings to the world of audio.
Michael Schmidgall - Director of Marketing
Michael Schmidgall is the Director of Marketing at The Music Room where he oversees brand strategy, ecommerce growth, and all aspects of marketing with a focus on building a category defining experience. He oversees everything from content production, brand development, and lifecycle marketing.
With over 10 years of experience in marketing and e-commerce, Michael has spent his career building and scaling ecommerce businesses in enthusiast-driven categories. Prior to entering the audio industry, he helped build the e-commerce division of a high-end furniture brand, growing it to a full omni-channel powerhouse.
As a leader, Michael believes great brands are built from the inside out. He leads with clarity, high standards, and a strong belief that exceptional customer value is the responsibility of the entire team. With a passion for mentoring, he focuses on helping his team grow, push beyond what they thought was possible, and takes pride in building something meaningful together.
Outside of work, he is family-oriented with three kids where music is the center of the household, not the TV. He is an avid golfer and goes out to the course whenever he can.
Sarah Gelter - Controller
Sarah Gelter is the Controller at The Music Room, where she leads the company’s accounting function and ensures strong financial controls across the organization. She is instrumental in ensuring our customers get precise and timely payouts for their items, whether it be a buy or consignment sale. She owns the monthly close process and supports accurate financial reporting through balance sheet reconciliations, journal entries, and detailed analytical review.
With deep expertise in GAAP and cost accounting, Sarah brings a steady, detail-driven approach to complex financial operations. She has experience leading internal and external audits, supporting ERP system implementations. She has developed internal control guidelines and standard operating procedures that promote accuracy, consistency, and accountability as the business grows.
As a leader, Sarah is detail-oriented, dependable, and collaborative. She values accuracy, transparency, and continuous improvement, and approaches problem-solving with a thoughtful, methodical mindset that supports sound decision-making across the business.
Outside of work, Sarah enjoys spending time cooking, reading fantasy novels, and building LEGO sets.
Dan Delellis - Director of Strategic Operations
Dan leads Strategic Operations at The Music Room, where he bridges technology, process, and people to deliver exceptional experiences for audiophiles buying and selling gear. With over a decade of experience in e-commerce, project management, and operational leadership, he brings both the technical expertise and business acumen needed to orchestrate the complex systems behind one of the industry's premier destinations for new and used hifi gear.
His role spans enterprise-wide operational excellence and business systems strategy, from shaping the technology roadmap alongside IT leadership to driving continuous improvement across the organization. He's led major system implementations and integration projects that enhanced both internal efficiency and customer experience. His focus is on connecting the dots: identifying where technology, process, and collaboration intersect to eliminate waste and create value for both customers and team members.
Dan's leadership philosophy centers on collaborative problem-solving, he believes the best solutions emerge when teams work together, combining diverse expertise and perspectives. He believes in creating an environment where people feel fulfilled in their work and empowered to live their best lives. With a degree in computer science and a track record of turning complex technical challenges into streamlined operations, Dan ensures The Music Room's systems work as harmoniously as the equipment they help customers discover.
Outside of work, Dan enjoys hiking, making music, catching live shows, and traveling.
Shankar Rathnam - Chief Operating Officer
Shankar Rathnam is the Chief Operating Officer at The Music Room, where is responsible for day-to-day leadership and execution - aligning strategy, operations, and teams to ensure the company operates with focus, discipline, and a strong customer-first mindset.
Shankar brings extensive experience leading owner-operated businesses, with a consistent track record of managing end-to-end operations and driving performance. Prior to joining The Music Room, he served as COO of a family-owned furniture manufacturer in Arizona.
At The Music Room, Shankar emphasizes collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. He encourages practical, creative problem-solving while maintaining a disciplined approach to execution. His leadership is centered on improving how the business functions every day and continuously elevating the customer experience.
Outside of work, Shankar enjoys hiking, reading, listening to music, cooking, and traveling.
Joshua & Melissa Jackson - Founders
Josh and Melissa Jackson co-founded The Music Room. Starting in 2010, they built the company together from the ground up with a shared vision for creating a more human, trustworthy and music-centered HiFi experience. What began in their garage has grown into one of the most respected names in high-end audio.
Today, Josh continues to serve as CEO, leading the company’s vision, culture, and long-term growth strategy. With a background rooted in both entrepreneurship and a lifelong passion for HiFi, Josh brings a rare blend of creativity, strategic thinking, and hands-on leadership to the organization. He is deeply involved in shaping the company’s brand, customer experience, and internal systems - always with an eye toward building something meaningful, sustainable, and different in an industry that often resists change. His work focuses on aligning people, process, and purpose so that the company can scale without losing its soul.
As a leader, Josh is known for his authenticity, curiosity, and commitment to continuous improvement. He believes great businesses are built through trust, clarity, and empowering people to do their best work. He challenges his team to think bigger, stay human, and never forget why the company exists: to connect people to the power of music.
Outside of work, he enjoys time with his family, exploring Colorado's natural wonders, enjoying music of all kinds, and finding new ways to turn ideas into reality.
