MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to be the best sales and marketing firm servicing the Pro Audio, Commercial Sound, and Electronic Security markets in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. We define “the best” as:
- Conducting our business with the highest of ethical standards representing both our customers’ and principals’ best interests at all times.
- Going the extra mile to provide outstanding customer service.
- Having a focus on the markets we want to dominate and having the skills, tools, and personnel to achieve that.
- Representing only quality manufacturers’ whose products meet or exceed our customers’ expectations.
- Knowing our customers’ and principals’ business objectives and partnering with them to mutually achieve their goals with Integrity, confidentiality, and accountability.
- Continued financial growth of our company through the pursuit of “being the best” and re-investing in these ongoing goals.
- We provide a dynamic, growth-oriented environment that promotes teamwork and individual growth.
- We provide leadership that motivates our employees to achieve excellence in every dimension of our company.
- Excellence must be a way of life!
We take pride in the services we provide, the products we represent, and are passionate about the manufacturers’ representative business.
OUR PEOPLE
Our employees are qualified, self-motivated sales and customer service professionals who utilize, to the fullest practical level, all tools available to us to take the products we represent to market and service the customer.
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 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, and are accountable for our actions.
Gary Ponto
Has 32 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 Pacific Northwest Manufacturers' representative. Under his leadership, their sales grew more than 164%. He has served on several advisory councils for manufacturers, and continues to participate in these activities with some of our current lines. He also successfully completed the CPMR (Certified Professional Manufacturers’ Representative) courses offered by the IPA (Institute for Professional Advancement) given at the University of Indiana.
Karl Steffen
Has 28 years of combined professional security and sales experience. In 1981 he became President and CEO of Competition Sporting Goods and held that position through 1989. 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.
Chris Wehba
Has been active in the Audio/Video and Pro Sound industry for over 20 years. His technical expertise comes from 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. Chris worked as an inside technical support rep at a competing rep firm before moving to an outside sales position with GP Marketing. Chris brings more than 12 years of experience as a manufacturer’s representative in the Pacific Northwest with him to GP Marketing.
Elizabeth Ponto
Has 15 years of legal secretarial experience with excellent customer service and organizational skills. She was a paralegal secretary at the largest law firm in Anchorage Alaska working with the oil companies prior to our starting GP Marketing, Inc. Her skills serve us well in her role as treasurer / office manager of GP Marketing, Inc.
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