Bryan Piper Bay Area Audio Visions
Years as an installer: 29
Non-installation related duties: “I am the Bay Manager, I also assist in Sales and custom support.”
Proudest professional career moment: “I would have to say my proudest moment prior to making the Top 12 Installers would be having the opportunity to tune a car with Eric Stevens (Formerly of Image Dynamics). He has be a huge influence and mentor in my career.”
Biggest mistake ever made as an installer: “I drilled a hole in the floor of a Cadillac as instructed by my supervisor. Turns out I drilled a quarter-sized hole in the fuel tank.”
Tree biggest loves, other than installation: “I love music; I enjoy listening to and learning about new music. I enjoy playing drums/ percussion in my off-time. I am currently trying to teach myself to play differently.”
Biggest influence in terms of expertise, professionalism and work ethic: “My biggest influences in my expertise would have to be
Tom Miller Musicar Northwest Portland, Ore.
Years as an installer: 25
Non-installation related duties: “I’m co-owner here at Musicar Northwest. In addition
to being the lead installer/fabricator, I normally spend lots of time on sales and marketing, doing payroll, and sweeping the floors…lots of sweeping.”
Proudest professional career moment: “Without question my proudest moment was making Top 12 last year. It was my second time making Top 12 (first was in 2008), but it was the first time I felt worthy to have my name on that plaque.” Biggest mistake ever made as an installer: “I spent the majority of my career as an expeditor techni- cian, before getting hands-on with custom audio (and fabrication) in 2006. I don’t regret any of the decisions that have led me to where I am profes- sionally, but it would have been nice to go in to a
38 Mobile Electronics August 2014
Eric Stevens, Mark Eldridge, and Fred Lynch for teaching so much about listening and tuning cars. Bryan Schmitt and Doug Dobson for all the pointers and direction with fabrication. I have made a lot of changes over the last four to five years and in that time I can say Doug Dobson, John Schwartz, and Mitch Schafer had a major influence in how I ran my shop and conducted my interactions with clients. My biggest influences for my work ethic would be my grandfather, who worked well into his eighties. He got up every day and rode a bus to work, worked all day and then came home and still did yard work other things at home.”
Vision for life in five years: “In five years, it is hard to say, I would love to still be fabricating custom builds, honing my skills and pushing my limits more. Barring that I would like to be working for a manufacturer, not sure the exact capacity, as who knows what the industry will need then.”
custom ‘retail’ environment in the 90s, and to have been a part of that whole scene.”
Tree biggest loves, other than installation: “I love to spend time with my kids. Doesn’t matter what. Playing video games, camping, skateboarding, or just goofing around.” Biggest influence in terms of expertise, profes- sionalism and work ethic: “As far as expertise, I would say Andy Day, Chris Church, and Kenny Karst. Tese are the guys that mentored me in fabrication. My biggest influences in regards to my professionalism would have to be my clients (both retail and dealership). Tey are the ones who taught me what it takes to create and maintain a lasting relationship with a customer. And it wasn’t always an easy lesson. When it comes to work ethic, I think I inherited that from my dad. He loved what he did and was an insatiable workaholic.”
Vision for life in five years: “I’m generally very happy doing what I do. I just want to continue perfecting my craft, hopefully do some innovative stuff and get a chance to share my knowledge with the next generation.”
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