Kyle Golden Sundown One Springfield, Ill.
Years as an installer: 8
Non-installation related duties: “I am the installer and 12-volt salesman. I am the only dedicated car audio employee here.”
Proudest professional career moment: “Making the Top 100 last year.”
Biggest mistake ever made as an installer: “Five years ago I probed a parking light wire in a new Ford, not knowing it needed an interrupt. Parking lights came on—and never went off—until we paid for a new BCM. Other than that I have never had to make any insurance claims.”
Tree biggest loves, other than installation: “I am always working on install related projects of my own in my down time. I really haven’t had the time to have any other hobbies the past few years. I was an avid SPL competitor, which is where my install roots came from. Before I really got serious with car audio, I played guitar and was in a few bands as a kid. I still play and collect guitars in the little free time I have. I also enjoy spending time with my girlfriend and going to the gym every morning.”
Biggest influence in terms of expertise, professionalism and work ethic: “Steve Brown and Chris Yato’s old school Alpine work has always been in my mind. Also, Scott Buwalda’s work has inspired me. I like the fact that Steve, Chris, and Scott all built those cars without the fancy templates and tools guys use nowadays.”
Vision for life in five years: “I hope to take on bigger, better, and more exciting jobs that I can use to expand my mind.”
Brian Schurg Extreme Audio Mechanicsville, Va.
Years as an installer: 20
Non-installation related duties: “I am the shop manager as well as lead tech/ fabricator. During any given day I am doing remote starts, video, audio, parking
sensors, leather upholstery, motorcycles, golf carts, boats, and of course custom work.”
Proudest professional career moment: “Getting my first Top 100 award with Mobile Electronics magazine.”
Tree biggest loves, other than installation: “Mountain biking, auto restoration, and making custom furniture.” Biggest influence in terms of expertise, professionalism and work ethic: “Rick Bennet, the tech at the first shop I worked at, taught me tons about 12-volt. When I moved to Richmond, Va., Mike Lock- ley was one of the custom guys I worked with; he showed me a whole different perspective on fab work. Mike Andrewjetski played a big role in helping me get ‘comfortable’ with vehicle wiring and network systems.”
Vision for life in five years: “I would like to get to the point where I can be teaching others and managing their work. It only seems fitting.”
44 Mobile Electronics August 2014
James Coil Audio Innovations of Fresno Fresno, Calif.
Years as an installer: 20
Non-installation related duties: “I have the ability to do anything at my location, from running the sales floor, to anything in the install bay. Tere are no jobs that are a
part of our specific business that I do not do—clean toilets, install anything, sell anything. I’m pretty much a jack-of-all-trades.”
Proudest professional career moment: “Knowing my kids are proud of what their dad does.” Biggest mistake ever made as an installer: “I don’t know if you’d call it my mistake but I took apart a Cavalier and when putting it back together, every time I touched the dash it broke in another place. I’d mend the break and literally touch another place and it would break again. I wanted to quit that day!”
Tree biggest loves, other than installation: “I’m a video game- oholic, love RC cars, and am very into mobile phones and other various tech gadgets.” Biggest influence in terms of expertise, professionalism and work ethic: “Ray West was once a co-worker of mine, and he was a great asset to learn from. My work ethic is kinda just me, though. I’ve seen a lot of installers in general who don’t really seem to have a great work ethic and feel they can just come and go as they please. I like to get stuff done and enjoy my family time afterward.”
Vision for life in five years: “Probably the hardest question I’ll ever have to answer. If I was asked this five years ago, I’d have said I wanted some recognition for working hard and kind of being my own boss. Now all I really think about is buying a house and being old like all my friends.”
Biggest mistake ever made as an installer: “I broke a windshield in an Audi a8 while installing a Bluetooth microphone. Who knew knuckles could be so hard?”
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