ProSound News - December 2008 - (Page 12)

[12] Colleagues Remember Cowan LAKEWOOD, NJ—Since the untimely death of Neutrik USA president Jim Cowan (November 2008 Pro Sound News), many of his colleagues have shared their thoughts. Following are excerpts from tributes compiled by Cowan’s co-workers and friends at Neutrik USA. “Jim was my friend for 20 years,” says Werner Bachmann, CEO, Neutrik AG. “He was a wonderful leader with just the right combination of business skills and personal qualities. But more than that, he was an industry icon and a genuinely caring person who touched everyone with his kindness. He would always take time out to ask how you or your family were doing and looked you in the eye with a true look of concern. He was sincere and never took himself too seriously. No matter how busy Jim was, he always made the time to talk to you, especially at trade shows. He never missed a show until recently. I know he will be sorely missed by an industry he so significantly impacted.” Fred Besnoff, product applications man- ager, Neutrik USA says, “I had known Jim for close to 30 years, first as a friend and then as a friend and employer. In life, we are surrounded by many constants as well as many variables. The variables we may not be able to control, but the major constants in Jim’s life were his love and pride for his boys, his love for his company and employees, and his passion for people. Whether they were his customers, friends or family, Jim loved people and people loved him. Jim worked hard and was very proud of his accomplishments. Don’t confuse pride with ego. Jim was proud and pushed himself to extremes that surprised most people. Those who had the pleasure of knowing Jim loved him. He will be greatly missed.” “I believe that the measure of a person is calculated by the effect their life has had on ours,” says Julie Applegate, executive manager, Neutrik USA. “It is the collective experiences we share that give us a true understanding of the impact their life had on ours. In fact, the only things left behind after we die, other than personal posses- sions, are the memories we leave in the hearts and minds of others. “It is in this spirit that we remember Jim, with whom I had a 20-year business relationship and friendship. It is in the testimonies and stories we share when we recall the impact he had on our lives. It’s in the knowledge that Jim had a tremendous influence on those around him and provided us with many wonderful memories. Indeed his love for us is reflected in each one of these memories. God bless you, Jim Cowan.” “I worked with Jim Cowan for many years,” remembers Gina Rider, customer service manager, Neutrik USA. “He was a great guy; he knew so much about our industry and was well liked by everyone. I was surprised when we first started to travel together how much time he would take to talk to everyone we met on the road, and he always would ask about each person and their families. That always meant a lot to me, and he was always very sincere. “Jim had taught me many things in these last 19 years, and I will use all he has taught me. For instance, even when things get tough, we have to be tougher and work harder and smarter. He believed that no matter where we went on the road, it was the people that we met along the way that meant the most and the relationships that were formed would last a lifetime. He also always told me to not forget the small things and to take time to smell the flowers.” “Not only will I miss his warmth, his sense of humor and generosity, but also his strength and never-ending belief in all people,” says Debbe Stephenson, president, Pro Jim Cowan Co Sound. “Jim made the world a better place, and he will live on in the hearts of many.” “I am so thankful to have had Jim as my friend,” says Lisa Williams, president, the RapcoHorizon Company. “I know that he is in a better place, still reminding all of us in everything we do that his memory lives on. As this holiday season is fast upon us, remembering Jim and his family in our thoughts and prayers would be greatly appreciated by Jim, I know. God bless you, Jim, and thank you for being a part of my life.” Paul Gallo, executive director of the Professional Audio Manufacturers Alliance, states, “Jim was one of the finest human beings ever to grace our business and the world we live in. His warmth, caring and especially his friendship will be missed by all of us who were blessed enough to know him. I was one of those lucky people and am thankful for the good times and knowledge we shared.” For more reminiscences from Jim’s colleagues and friends, visit www.prosoundnews.com and click on Web Bonus. Neutrik USA www.neutrikusa.com SAN FRANCISCO, CA—Audio recording professionals worldwide gathered in San Francisco for the first METAlliance Educator Summit, hosted by the Music Engineering and Technology Alliance to promote quality in audio production and reproduction. Educators participating represented institutions in the U.S. and abroad, as the Alliance continues to partner with those who share similar goals. “Our first Summit was an exciting opportunity for audio educators and audio professionals to hear the many facets of an extremely important dialogue. We are off to a great start,” remarked Jim Anderson, NYU professor and AES president. Charles Boswell, director of media and entertainment for Advanced Micro Devices, which sponsored the summit, added, “Our support of this prestigious event follows with AMD’s long-term commitment to quality and education. AMD and the META team share a common commitment to both METAlliance Summit a Success the artist and consumer of preserving quality and aesthetic throughout the entire production process.” Colleges and universities attending included New York University, Berklee College of Music, Univ. of Massachusetts at Lowell, Univ. of Michigan, Webster University, Belmont University, McGill University, the University of Southern California and international attendees. Producer/engineer George Massenburg summed up the inaugural summit: “META is justifiably proud to have brought together this group of educators, manufacturers and journalists. Our overall objective is to significantly raise the standard of making music recordings to demonstrate the benefits of quality recording and reproduction, and to also characterize those elements, technical as well as artistic, that are important in that process.” METAlliance www.metalliance.com prosoundnews.com December 2008 http://www.prosoundnews.com http://www.prosoundnews.com http://www.neutrikusa.com http://www.pas-america.com http://www.metalliance.com http://www.pas-america.com http://www.prosoundnews.com http://www.pas-toc.com http://www.phd-pro.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of ProSound News - December 2008

ProSound News - December 2008 Sound Business Contents Hank’s Best Yet Sound Recording Studio Showcase: Great City Productions Software Tech Tracks Sessions Anticipating Post’s Future Post Showcase: Eargasm HD Audio Post The Business of Being Creative Sound Innovations: VRsonics VibeStudio Spatial Design Suites Field Reports: Product Profiles Yes We Can Hear Obama Live Sound Showcase: Stone Temple Pilots Centerstage Soundcheck Sound People View From the Top Product Spotlight Classifieds Advertiser Index Company Index Music, etc

ProSound News - December 2008

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