June 29, 2021 -- Kevan Morris, Executive Vice President, Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. and consumer electronics industry veteran passed away on Saturday, June 26, 2021.

A well-respected and cherished member of the Pioneer family, Kevan’s affiliation with Pioneer began in 1984. While working at Pacific Stereo selling car stereo components directly to consumers, he was recruited into the role of Product Specialist at NLS Marketing, a rep firm in Bellevue, Washington selling Pioneer car electronics to retailers throughout Washington state.  In August 1986, Kevan officially joined Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. as a District Sales Manager covering car electronics in the Pacific Northwest territory.  In the thirty-five years since, Kevan quickly ascended the ranks of Pioneer and held numerous sales and management positions related to Pioneer’s car electronics, home electronics, and television businesses, culminating as Executive Vice President, a position in which he served with distinction since May 2011.  

Kevan’s expansive sales knowledge, strong leadership and tireless work ethic have been the backbone of Pioneer’s growth and success throughout North America.  Kevan could always be counted on to meet any challenge with a calm demeanor and comforting smile.  Kevan conducted himself with the utmost integrity and he earned the admiration and respect of all with whom he has worked.  Kevan was proud of his life-long career at Pioneer, and he valued every friendship that developed during the past thirty-five years.  Kevan’s legacy continues in the strong bonds he developed with his customers as well as the Pioneer staff that he mentored and guided throughout his Pioneer career.

The entire Pioneer global family mourns the loss of such an outstanding leader, teammate, and friend. Our deepest sympathy goes out to his wife, Mary, his sons, Devon and Ryan, and the rest of his extended family and friends. 

Every year the Car Electronics Division of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. kicks off the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas by honoring its top three distributors in the United States, rewarding them for the past year’s accomplishments.  “2015 Distributor of the Year” went to Audio America, Audio Electronics Distributing, and S.O.S. Associates for their outstanding service and dedication in helping Pioneer achieve its business goals.  Among the three awarded, S.O.S. Associates was also honored with the prestigious “Overall Distributor of the Year Award.”

Pioneer evaluates distributors on overall sales, accurate monthly sales and inventory (S&I), execution of dealer agreements, assistance with dealer programs, speedy distribution of information to dealers, management and trainings, and commitment to customer service.  The three distributors recognized consistently excel and deliver in these categories.

“We work with a great bunch of people and we’re excited to be able to recognize their hard work.  Our distributors deserve recognition for helping Pioneer succeed and we want to focus attention on the top performers in the field and say thank you for their commitment to our business.  Congratulations to Audio America, Audio Electronics Distributing, and S.O.S. Associates,” said Kevan Morris, executive vice president of sales for the Car Electronics Division of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.

Pioneer also honored internal employees for their hard work and dedication to the company.  Harry Kroll, senior national training manager for the Car Electronics Division, received the “Corporate Leader of the Year” award for his work, having trained Pioneer employees, dealers and distributor network for more than 26 years.    

Nick Czupek, district sales manager (DSM) for the Car Electronics Division, was presented with the “DSM of the Year Award.” Czupek covers the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois, providing excellent service to the accounts in his territory.  Czupek won this prestigious title once before in the nine years he has been with the company.

For 2015, Pioneer created a new award for internal “Sales Leader of the Year” to acknowledge outstanding sales performance during the year that has helped the company achieve its sales goals. The first employee to win the award is Nina Contreras, who has been with the company for 24 years and was selected as the winner for the strong relationships she has built with Pioneer’s customers, as well as her daily work helping the DSMs with orders and facilitating communication between the DSMs and corporate management. 

4-3-2017 -- Pioneer Electronics has partnered with Specialty Marketing for distribution services on the East Coast. 

Pioneer has awarded Specialty the authorized territory of Virginia, District of Columbia, Maryland, Delaware, Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Upstate New York, Metro New York and Long Island. 

Mechanicsville, VA— April 1 2024 — Specialty Marketing, a Custom Home, and Mobile Electronics Distributor, with over six decades of distribution experience, formally announces the expansion of distribution territory for Pioneer Electronics.

Specialty Marketing will now cover the following states: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York (including Metro), New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, D.C., Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.

Specialty Marketing with distribution centers in Virginia and New Jesey, welcome the opening of their new Florida facility in the next 30 days. These three distribution facilities will ensure 1-day delivery throughout the territory.

Specialty Marketing recently hired six industry veterans.

• Bill Dolsen-VP of Sales and Business Development, 34 years’ experience
• Dennis Hopper-Florida Territory Manager, 36 years’ experience
• Bryan Mongiovi-Southeast Region, 25 years’ experience
• Jonny Rojas-Sales Support for all bilingual customers, 25 years’ experience
• Jim Gallagher-New England & Upstate NY Territory Manager, 42 years' experience
• Derek Franklin-Virginia & North Carolina Territory Manager, 10 years’ experience

Additional key industry veterans include:

• Corey Ferguson-Sales Support Team Leader, 19 years’ experience
• Te’ Charity-Sales Support, 20 years’ experience
• BJ Powell-Sales Support, 18 years’ experience
• Larry Appelblatt-Metro NY Territory Manager, 36 years’ experience
• Mitch Galitz-Mid Atlantic Territory Manager, 53 years’ experience

They can be reached at 800-446-9820 and offer a best-in-class website www.specialtymarketing.com, with real time inventory, pricing, invoices and more. Contact them to become a dealer at Specialty: Become a Dealer (specialtymarketing.com)             

Bill Dolsen

VP of Sales 

Specialty Marketing

Office (800) 446-9820

Cell (904) 237-9795

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

www.specialtymarketing.com