GP Marketing, Inc. was founded in May, 1998 and incorporated under the laws of the state of Washington. The company’s focus is on the MI/Pro Audio Retail, Professional Stage Lighting, Commercial Sound and Electronic Security markets. We bring over 100 years of combined knowledge of these industries to our manufacturers and customers. We are a motivated sales and marketing organization serving both customers and manufacturers in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and Hawaii.

We are members of several industry associations, including ASIS, ERA, ISC, NAMM, and NSCA. We participate in these organizations’ national trade shows and conferences every year.

Our Vision

Our goal is to supply product knowledge and training along with marketing and sales skills to our customers for the manufacturers’ products we represent. We believe this will result in increased annual sales and market penetration for our manufacturers, and add value to the customers we serve.
Given this goal, it is our ongoing objective to have state of the art, high quality, market driven products to offer our customers, providing them with both support and solutions for their customers.

PEOPLE
Our most valuable resource is our people. We believe that the following values are fundamental to our long-term goals.

That we attract motivated, talented, innovative people with knowledge of our industry.

That we provide opportunities for all employees to develop and make the best use of their abilities.

That we provide continuous training in products and marketing/sales skills.

That we encourage innovation and keep an open mind to new ideas.

That we promote mutual trust and respect for each other through open and timely two-way communication.

That we provide motivational compensation packages for all employees.

That each and every one of us uses the highest of moral and ethical values at all times.

Our Employees

GARY PONTO
Has 27 years of combined professional audio and sales experience. His professional audio background includes sound contracting, live theatre, studio recording and live sound applications. From 1989 to 1998, he was in charge of the Commercial Sound and Electronic Security division at Roger Ponto Associates. Under his leadership, their sales grew more than 164%. He has served on several advisory representative councils for major manufacturers, and is currently an advisor for the “Commercial Sound/Pro Audio Markets” to the national chairman at ERA (Electronics Representatives Association). He has also successfully completed the CPMR (Certified Professional Manufacturers’ Representative) courses offered by the IPA (Institute for Professional Advancement) given at Indiana University over a three year period.

DARRICK FELISE
Darrick has over 11 years experience in the Security Industry. Previous to that he received a 2 year counseling degree and an AA, and was a Nationally Certified Chemical Dependency Specialist for 4 years. From there he worked for an Investigation Company for 2 years investigating insurance liability and performing in and out of house investigations for large companies. He spent 5 years as the Corporate Surveillance Director for Silver Dollar and Golden Nugget casinos in Washington. In that position he was not only in management but he designed and personally installed over a dozen casino surveillance systems. During this time he did multiple trainings at Pelco receiving 9760 certification. After leaving the casino industry, he spent several years working in outside sales as an integrator, designing and selling complete surveillance solutions. He was ranked consistently in the top first or second sales position nationwide while at DTT Surveillance and grew the NW region by over 300% in equipment and labor sales. His primary focus will be in CCTV solutions.

KARL STEFFEN
Has 25 years of combined professional security and sales experience. In 1981 he became President and CEO of the Competition Sporting Goods and held that position through 1989. The business specialized in the institutional business of team outfitting in the Southern California market. Under his leadership, their sales grew by more than 275%.

His professional security sales background includes CCTV, access control, fire life safety, security alarms and perimeter security systems. Entering the security market he worked for ADT Security as a Senior Account Manager covering a portion of the Southern California market. In his second year in the territory, he increased business by over 200%. Establishing and closing business with clients such as BMW of North America and McCormick Foods. In 2001, he accepted a position with Best Access Systems as their electronics specialist covering Oregon, Southern Idaho and Hawaii. During his tenure with Best, he grew the territory by over 300% and was on pace to exceed 150% growth in 2004, when he joined GP Marketing.

DEVON FELISE
Has seven years experience in network administration and information technologies. He has been working for the past eight years at the University of Washington Medical Center as a research scientist maintaining various networks, databases and research protocols. He has a Bachelors of Science in Molecular / Cellular Biology from Seattle Pacific University. His role in GP Marketing will be as an inside sale representative and technical support.

CHRIS WEHBA
Has been active in the Audio/Video and Pro Sound industry for over 20 years. He has extensive product knowledge technical expertise that comes from many years of touring, performing, studio recordings, and audio/video production. He has also worked as a product consultant for Fender, SWR, Ampeg, Godlyke, & Carver Professional. In addition to working as a manufacturer’s representative for over a decade, he has worked as a consultant for bands like the Gin Blossom’s, The Smithereens, INXS, King’s X, Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers. He was also involved in the sound system design and fund raising for The Fender Museum of the Performing Arts, in which he was one of the featured acts for the Museum's grand opening.

ELIZABETH PONTO
Has 15 years of legal secretarial experience with excellent customer service and organizational skills. She also handles our payables and receivables.

SYDNEY BURCH
Has over 8 years of customer service experience ranging in all types of atmosphere. Sydney came to GP Marketing in December of 2004 bringing with her many skills. She excels in office maintenance, database creation and preservation. Her main focus at GP marketing is customer service. Sydney also is in charge of dealer orders, credit authorizations, return authorizations, and literature just to name a few. Her focus for the future is gaining additional product knowledge to be able to continue product support for dealers.