MEET THE TEAM
Meet the folks who make it happen! Sales, customer service, and beyond—see and hear it from the people behind the scenes! Here at Chicago Music Exchange, we're all musicians or music fans so feel free to ask any of us your burning questions! Check out our Staff Picks while you are here, as well!
Andrew Yonke
Chief Executive Officer
Well I ain't always right but I've never been wrong, and it seldom turns out the way it does in a song. Once in awhile you get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right!
Favorite Gear:
1959 Gibson ES 355 in FACTORY BLACK!!
Favorite Concert:
2017 Farm Aid
- Neil Young's set with Promise of
the Real as his band. INSANE.
Tanner Peterson
Store Operations Manager
SEND ME AN EMAILOriginally from Dallas, Texas, Tanner’s a guitarist, audio engineer, and all-around nerd. When he’s not at the shop, playing guitar, or mixing, you’ll probably find him hanging out with his wife and son, playing Pokémon Go around the city, or hunting for Star Wars action figures for his collection. He’s on the lookout for the best Italian beef Chicago has to offer, so give him your recommendations!
Favorite Gear: Gibson SG, Soldano SLO 100, and pretty much any chorus pedal I can get my hands on.
Favorite Concert: Paul McCartney at Austin City Limits 2018. Metallica at Metro in 2021.
Jonathan Urban
Sales Manager
SEND ME AN EMAILJonathan is dedicated to making CME one of the coolest places to work and your best local music store no matter where you live. On the weekends you might catch Jonathan blowing out his eardrums through a series of old Marshalls with his local tribute band. He is an avid AC/DC, Gibson SG, and Mini Cooper fanatic, so be sure to not mention any of these things to him.
Favorite Gear: 1965 Gibson SG
Favorite Concert: AC/DC at Wrigley Field 2015
Jason Freeman
Assistant Store Operations Manager, Sales Specialist
SEND ME AN EMAILGIVE ME A CALLA native to Chicago Jason has been involved in the Chicago studio scene since 2010 after graduating from Full Sail's recording arts program and has spent the last 14 years playing guitar in several bands around the city.
Favorite Gear:
My Custom TSmith 7 string tele
Favorite Concert:
Whitechapel 10 year anniversary tour at the Rave
Phil Hunger
Customer Experience Lead
SEND ME AN EMAILGIVE ME A CALL A hoarder of gear and records, Phil is often found riding motorcycles, baking pastries, and playing psych rock and ambient electronic music.
Favorite Gear:
Korg Monopoly, Vox Royal guardsman, 2002 MIM Strat, Jordan bosstone fuzz
Favorite Concert:
Damo Suzuki, Empty Bottle 2007
Geoff Tinta
Senior Sales Specialist
GIVE ME A CALLFavorite Gear:
1965 Gibson SG
Favorite Concert:
Smashing Pumpkins 1997
David Azizinamini
Senior Sales Specialist
SEND ME AN EMAILGIVE ME A CALLThe more amps and pedals you have on stage at one time the better!
Favorite Gear:
Banker Guitars, Victoria and Matchless Amps
Favorite Concert:
Pearl Jam- Wrigley Field- Aug 24, 2016
Kyle Hammond
Senior Sales Specialist
SEND ME AN EMAILGIVE ME A CALLFavorite Gear: Gibson Guitars & Ludwig Drums
Favorite Concert: Deftones at the Aragon Ballroom
Zach Avery
Guitar Sales Specialist
SEND ME AN EMAILGIVE ME A CALLAs a Minnesota native, Zach began playing in bars around the Twin Cities at age 13. He earned his chops playing Rock & Blues and eventually lead two bands to compete in Memphis’ International Blues Challenge. He now fronts the Zach Avery Band and plays all around the city of Chicago, while slinging some of the finest guitars and amplifiers at CME!
Favorite Gear: Heritage H-535 Custom & Fender Vibrolux Amp
Favorite Concert: Rolling Stones at TCF Bank Stadium (2015)
Chris Scott
Acoustic Sales Specialist
GIVE ME A CALLSEND ME AN EMAILBorn and raised in Louisville, KY Chris has been obsessed with guitars for most of his life. Having played in various alt-country and rock n’ roll bands for years, you can now find Chris passing the time drooling over the vintage Gibson and Martin guitars in the Acoustic Room at CME. In addition to his obsessions with guitars and music, Chris is a scuba instructor who you can find exploring Great Lakes shipwrecks during the warmer months.
Favorite Gear - 5e3 Tweed Deluxe Clone
Favorite Concert - Paul McCartney at Camping World Stadium (2022) - Prince at the Conseco Field House (2004)
Rick Deliz
Sales Specialist
GIVE ME A CALLSEND ME AN EMAILA native of Pennsylvania, who traversed the cultural landscapes of Puerto Rico, Los Angeles, and Mexico City while touring and performing with his Psy Spy Instro Surf ensemble, SECRET AGENT, and Latin Pop and Rock acts, Rick has chosen to make Chicago his new home, lured by its frigid climate and the opportunity to ply his trade at the esteemed musical emporium Chicago Music Exchange.
Favorite Gear - Gretsch Duo Jet and Fender Strat matched with a Fender '60s blackface amp.
Favorite Concert - Ramones at Pista Atlética Ramey Base - Aguadilla Puerto Rico February 20, 1988
Ben Brzostowski
Sales Specialist
GIVE ME A CALLSEND ME AN EMAILAvid Hendrix Enthusiast and automotive gear head. My love for Vintage Fender guitars and Marshall amps is heavily influenced by my father. On the weekends you can catch me on some back roads in my Subaru WRX STI
Favorite Gear - 1968 Fender Stratocaster (Maple Cap) Olympic White and Black, with any 60s 100w Marshall
Favorite Concert - Jimi Hendrix Live in 1969 at The Royal Albert Hall
Sam Ocean
Counter Associate
I didn't know who I was until I came across "This Is Spinal Tap."
Favorite Gear - Neck p-up of my 2019 Gibson CS Les Paul into dime'd Vox AC15HW. Volume all the way up. Tone knob rolled back.
Favorite Concert - The Darkness live at Park West - Chicago. April 11, 2018.
Jett Lucas
Counter Associate, "Tone-Tender"
I am obsessed with guitar. I spent many years traveling the world playing music and even got a degree in jazz guitar to take my playing to the next level.
Favorite Gear - My 2015 Gibson Custom Shop Byrdland in Wine Red
Favorite Concert - Cory Wong in 2018 at Thalia Hall
Sylvia Koch-Weser
Counter Associate
When not searching for more gear she doesn't need, Sylvia self records and fronts her indie rock project, Lithia.
Favorite Gear - My Re-201 Space Echo, 66' Jag, Juno 106
Favorite Concert - Adrianne Lenker at the Cedar
Peter Melichar
Counter Associate
Former Heritage Guitars builder and Chicago Newbie
Favorite Gear - Rickenbacker, Gretsch, Kalamazoo era Gibsons, British Amps
Favorite Concert - The Wallflowers at Brooklyn Made
Owen Stovall
Counter Associate
Born and raised in Louisville, KY- Owen is a fan of the “finer things” in life: sour candy, ducks, denim jackets, and guitars. O-dawg is the resident expert on everything from Avenged Sevenfold to Jimmy Buffett. Catch him flat-picking on vintage acoustics, or sweep-picking 7 strings in between assisting customers at the counter.
Favorite Gear - Pre-War Martin D-18
Favorite Concert - Nickel Creek @ The Salt Shed- June 2023
Daniel Escauriza
Vintage Inventory &
Purchasing Manager
As the manager and head buyer of the vintage and used inventory here at CME, Daniel tells people all the time that he has the best job on planet Earth. He enjoys working closely with his fantastic team as they acquire inventory and obsess over curating the best vintage collection possible, while sharing enjoyable experiences through transparent transactions with clients.
Favorite Gear:
Gibson L-00 from 1932 and Carstens Black Flag
Favorite Concert:
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings at the Vic in Chicago (2011)
Mike Larsen
Used & Vintage Buyer
Born & raised on Chicago's Northside, Mike is a lifelong bassist & vintage gear fanatic. Specializing in Fender & Gibson history, he's also a connoisseur of the rare & obscure. When he's not scouring the earth for the the coolest vintage gear, you can probably find him watching the Hawk's game, playing bass in local alt-rock band, LFN, or hanging out with his english bulldog.
Favorite Gear:
61 Stack Knob Jazz Bass
Favorite Concert:
Fearless Flyers at Concord Music Hall (2018)
Dan Lump
Used & Vintage Buyer
Dog lover, Formula 1 fanatic, and verified nerd for all things vintage gear and BBQ. If you want to know about the many versions of the EHX Big Muff, the difference between pre-T and T-top pickups, or how to properly trim a brisket, I'm your guy.
Favorite Gear: 1960 Les Paul Standard "Scarface"
Favorite Concert: David Gilmour Chicago Auditorium (2016)
Nik Simic
Used & Vintage Inventory Specialist
Joseph Soldati
Customer Service Team Lead
Favorite Gear: Fender Jazz Bass & that new pedal that does the thing.
Favorite Concert: Pat Metheny Unity Band, 2012
Miles Eddy
Customer Service
Session bassist, multi-instrumentalist, and occasional songwriter, Miles seems pretty smart until you get to know him.
Favorite Gear: SansAmp VT Bass and my MIJ Fender Mustang--both session MONSTERS
Favorite Concert: Weird Al Yankovic
Andrew (Dodd) Smith
Inventory Operations Manager
Dodd is a lover of music- from Black Metal to R&B, and everything in between! He is a proud dog dad to his standard poodle, Boogeyman.
Favorite Gear: His 2003 graffiti yellow Tom Delonge Fender Stratocaster
Favorite Concert: Any of the many times seeing Rancid with his Dad
Anthony Krecioch
Warehouse Operations Manager
Anthony is a music lover, creator of stained glass pieces, lover of all things four legged and furry, and a traveler.
Favorite Gear: DW Collectors Series Snare, any of them.
Favorite Concert: Rancid - I’ve seen this band most than I can count and they’re never a let down.
Jimmy Jawicki
Outbound Operations Manager
Born into a family of musicians and producers, music and its creation has always been a part of Jim's life. Since 2011 he has been an intricate part of the growth of CME and he is 100% dedicated to getting you the right gear, faster than anyone else in the business.
Favorite Gear: Blue Hofner Shorty
Favorite Concert: 1st Concert - Evanescence
Dave Johnson
Warehouse Operations Specialist
Colin Thomas
Inbound Operations Specialist
"I plan on writing an epic poem about this gorgeous pie."
Favorite Gear: All fuzz, all the time.
Favorite Concert: Toss up between Dillinger Four and Jawbreaker. Or Nothing at Slide Away Fest in Philadelphia.
Chlöe Smith
Outbound Operations Specialist
Professional moron. Amateur life force
Favorite Gear: Spaceman Apollo VII
Favorite Concert: Kenny Hoopla at Schuba’s Tavern
Pete Tsoukas
Outbound Operations Specialist
Tom Galvin
Operations & Integration Specialist, Tech Wizard
Born and raised on Chicago's South Side, Tom was snuck into bars and pubs by his parents on school nights to play covers since the age of 14. While his main instrument is guitar, he will try to play anything he can get his hands on. When he is not optimizing business processes, you can find him backpacking or fishing in the north woods or wherever he can get off the grid.
Favorite Gear:
Tom does not play favorites.
Favorite Concert:
Neil Young - Chicago Theatre 2008
James Brown
Inventory Manager
Grew up on the South Side, now dwelling on the North side. Guitarist in Home Entertainment. My life has been about music and music making since I was a toddler, with no end in sight.
Favorite Gear: Fender Super Sonic 100
Favorite Concert: Recently? Green Day at the Metro and OSees at Thalia Hall, both in 2022.
Laurel Scott
Inventory Operations Specialist
"Disco made me do it."
Favorite Gear:
1963 Gibson SG Custom Polaris White
Favorite Concert:
Christian McBride's New Jawn (2018) or Rolling Stones, Soldier Field
Agata Potyra
Maintenance
"Hey Buddy!"
Favorite Gear: Gibson SG
Favorite Concert: Bon Jovi or Rolling Stones
Phil Glodek
Lead Repair Technician
"I fix broke stuff."
Favorite Gear:
Fender J Bass
Favorite Concert:
Radiohead, Lolla ‘08
Alec Johnson
Guitar Processing Manager
Alec was raised on a small farm in Iowa. He studied anthropology in college, but followed his love of music and lutherie to Chicago. Now he spends his days finding the perfect combination of neck relief, string action, and intonation that makes a guitar feel and sound phenomenal.
Favorite Gear: His own one-of-a-kind creations
Favorite Concert: Daddy-O and the Demolition Band at the Yacht Club in Iowa City
Alec Moore
Lead Outbound Guitar Processing Technician
From Minneapolis, Alec likes playing tasty tunes and hanging out with his dog.
Favorite Gear:
my 1974 Fender Twin Reverb Silverface amp
Favorite Concert:
Ty Segall and The Muggers at First Avenue in Minneapolis. 2016
Dustin Martin
Guitar Technician
Dustin started working on guitars the way most people do: by sucking at working on guitars. 10,000+ instruments later and he's gotten a lot better at it. When he's not fixing braces or steaming off necks, he plays with his two bands The Flips and Hi Ho. He's also the current reigning CME Mario Kart champion (and has the trophy to prove it).
Favorite Gear:
Weller Soldering Irons
Favorite Concert:
Tie between Glen Hansard at The Vic and Sunn O))) at Thalia Hall
Brody Vukobratoich
Guitar Technician
Brody was born and raised in Naples, FL and loves to work on guitars.
Favorite Gear: My 2016 Gibson Flying V
Favorite Concert: Metallica, Orlando 2017
Brian Fong
Guitar Technician
Gavin Chavez
Guitar Technician
Reyna Casanova
Guitar Technician
Ayden Petric
Guitar Technician
Daniel Bordonaro
Director of New Product
Dan is a songwriter who has been in music retail virtually uninterrupted since the ripe age of fifteen! He is an uncompromising fan of the Buffalo Bills and all of his favorite music is Canadian.
Favorite Gear:
Guild D-55 Antique Burst (mine is a New Hartford-era)
Favorite Concert:
Alexisonfire at S.C.E.N.E. Fest 2006 in St Catharines, ON
Gavin Wahl-Stephens
Product Manager
Raised in Portland, Oregon, Gavin moved to Chicago in 2018. Aside from the obvious love of guitars and music, he enjoys comedy, baseball, and family.
Favorite Gear:
1972 Fender Silverface Dual Showman Reverb
Favorite Concert:
July 27, 2013 Phish at the Gorge Amphitheater. Very tight that night. Super funky Sneakin' Sally and a 2001 jam that I believe eventually became the basis for Martian Monster. JJ Cale passed away that day and I was really sad about it, so the After Midnight cover was perfect.
Joe Sherman
Product Manager
Favorite Gear: Roland Juno-106
Favorite Concert: The Flaming Lips at the Aragon Ballroom
Daniel Albert
Product Manager
Cat enthusiast. Dog petting aficionado.
Favorite Gear:
1963 Jazzmaster
Favorite Concert:
Fleet Foxes at The Chicago Theater, 2017
Damon Piatt
New Product Coordinator
Gloria ad ecclesiam. Filii raptus in nomine deorum
Favorite Gear: Jackson 7-String Dinky with Reverse Headstock, Peavy 6505/EVH 5150
Favorite Concert: From First to Last at Pops in Sauget, IL in 2005
Saul Reyes
Product Opportunity Specialist
Saul was a dog in at least one past life.
Favorite Gear:
Sony A6000
Favorite Concert:
Dimmu Borgir at the Vic or Infected Mushroom at the HOB
Ian Szymankiewicz
Product Photography Manager
""Movies are 70% of my body." - Hideo Kojima" - Ian Szymankiewicz
Favorite Gear: Arriflex 765
Favorite Concert: The Slush Fund '05 - Ryan Cooper's Backyard (RIP Piotr)
Jason Ryan
Product Photographer
Moll Kinnunen
Product Photographer
"I'll have you know that I stubbed my toe last week and only cried for 20 minutes."
Favorite Gear: Reverend Double Agent OG Metallic Alpine
Favorite Concert: Indigo de Souza at Thalia Hall (May 2023)
Zach Moore
Brand Content Manager
"More Donuts..."
Favorite Gear: 1971 Martin D-12-20, '60s Teisco E-110, Gretsch Drums, Orange Amps, Fuzzrocious Pedals
Favorite Concert: Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs at Sleeping Village, Chicago 2023, Khurangbin at The Salt Shed, or The Felix Culpa, O'Brother, & The Dear Hunter at House Cafe, DeKalb, IL 2011
John Davis
Marketing Outreach & Acquisition Specialist
John was raised by wolves and the United States Navy in Kailua Hawaii, Virginia Beach Virginia, and Asheville, N.C. He can often be found chugging lukewarm coffee and playing with his Border Collie.
Favorite Gear: '55 Les Paul Jr.
Favorite Concert: Laura Jane Grace at 6th and I on Valentines Day 2016
Andrew Tricaso
Video Director
"For sure! I might be down."
Favorite Gear: UDO Super Gemini
Favorite Concert: Peter Cat Recording Co.
Nathaniel Murphy
Product & Brand Video Specialist
Favorite Gear:
An Old Tele
Favorite Concert: Oasis at Eithiad Stadium, Mid-2000s
Wesley Park
Video Marketing Specialist
: ^ )
Favorite Gear: Jazzmasters <3
Favorite Concert: Kero Kero Bonito @ Thalia Hall
Evan Skorepa
Social Media Video Specialist
Deb Jawicki
Director of Finance
From Recording Studio Manager to Record Company Executive to Director of Finance here at Chicago Music Exchange, Deb's been in the Music Biz her whole life. Toss in singer/songwriter, recording artist, producer and vocal coach and you get the whole picture.
Favorite Gear: Neuman U87 & Universal Audio LA-610 Tube Preamp
Dave Piscotti
Accounting Operations Manager
Chicago native and drummer, Dave has been part of the Chicago music scene for 20 years playing with various bands including Northern Magnolia, Fauvely, and Emily Jane Powers. After studying Live Sound Reinforcement at Columbia College Chicago and Music Industry Workshop, Dave worked as the house engineer for Superior St Rehearsal Studios before starting a decade plus career in project management for high end custom A/V companies, installing and programming residential whole house automation systems as well as audio video systems for many of the bars and restaurants around Chicago. The logical next step was to work in Accounting for CME where he is expected to be a lifer. When he's not enthusiastically managing finances and chasing down expense receipts, you can find Dave playing drums in CME Full Band Friday videos, biking all over the city, playing shows in either of his current bands (Emily Jane Powers & Fauvely), and spending time with his daughter Etta.
Favorite Gear: C&C Player Date I, C&C Maple Gum Snare, Ludwig Black Beauty Snare, any Gretsch Drums
Favorite Concert: Every Butch Walker show since 2002, Beach House @ The Pabst Theater 2022, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic @ The Vic 1999, Tom Petty @ The World Music Theater 1999.
Ben Ringhofer
HR Generalist
I'm not like a mean HR guy. I'm a nice one, like "hey, what's up y'all? Want some employee benefits?"
Favorite Gear: Gibson SG
Favorite Concert: Rage Against the Machine - 2008, Minneapolis
James Thomas
Accounting Specialist
Adam Hines
E-Commerce Manager
"Beats for sale!"
Favorite Gear: Boss DS-1
Favorite Concert: Julien Baker at Pitchfork (2018)
Felix d'Hermillon
E-Commerce Specialist
With an interest in music starting at a young age, Felix fell in love with guitar early on. West coast born, East coast raised, Felix moved to Chicago to get a Bachelors of Music in Classical and Jazz Guitar Performance. Whether it's guitars, synthesizers, pedals, bass, or drums, he's always seeking out new avenues in music and ways to grow! Felix loves guitar, music production, traveling, and making new friends!
Favorite Gear: 1982 Gibson Les paul Gold Top 30th Anniversary w/ Tim Shaw Pickups
Favorite Concert: Jordan Rakei at the Bottom Lounge, 2019
Ryder Baumann
E-Commerce Programmer
Born in Portland, OR in 2001. Little did I know back then, as I was but a youngster, that my future step-father would end up being the second in command, and then in command, of Pro Guitar Shop. This event would kickstart my deep love of pedals and effects. Something that would extend beyond the life of PGS (2004-2017). A legacy that would carry into my brief stint in the fulfillment department at Reverb.com until I found a home at the Chicago Music Exchange. I joined the team in Fall of 2018 and in the brief time I've been here I can already tell how special this place is. If you want to buy from someone who has your back, buy from CME.
Favorite Gear: DOD FX25 Envelope Filter 1983