Excellence In Action
Count on us for unmatched expertise and strategic insights. Leverage our longstanding, industry-wide relationships. And rely on us for a level of service that will leave no doubt in your mind about our commitment to your success. These are the pillars upon which Excellence Marketing is built, and they’re the catalysts for manufacturers and resellers to connect quickly, deeply and productively.
Past is prologue, they say. So expect us to deliver the same results for you that we’ve provided our customers for more than three decades.
Born in Minnesota and well-established throughout the Upper Midwest region, Excellence Marketing was founded by Ken Simons in 1988. “I created this company to fill a void,” says Ken. “Coming from the manufacturer side of the industry, I saw a need for a firm that could be a true partner to both manufacturers and resellers – one that understood that nobody wins unless everybody wins.”
Technology has changed over time. So have our customers’ needs and expectations. What hasn’t changed is Excellence Marketing’s commitment to mastering the technology and being the partner you need to help your business thrive.
Fun Fact About our Team
We all have the same middle name: “Excellence.”
A principal member of Excellence since 2007, Mark has been in the audio-video business for his entire career and has served as a manufacturer’s representative since 1988. Prior to joining Excellence, he was owner/principal of another rep company in our industry, and before becoming President of Excellence Marketing, he served for several years as our VP of Sales. Mark has a deep understanding of the channel and a successful record on connecting manufacturers with their customers.
Ken founded Excellence Marketing in 1988, having spent six years learning the business from one of the oldest rep firms in the electronics industry. Identifying an opportunity to bridge the needs of manufacturers and resellers in the Pro AV industry, he brought to Excellence the principles he had seen in action in his prior position – chief among them a conviction that by focusing on the objectives of all our partners, manufacturers and customers alike can win on every transaction.
Mankato State University 1988
South Central Technical College 1998
Graduated NICET Audio Technician Training, Level 1 Certification
1989-1998: Sales/Audio Technician, Scheitel’s Music
1998-Present: Outside Sales, Excellence Marketing
South Central Technical College 1998
Graduated NICET Audio Technician Training, Level 1 Certification
1989-1998: Sales/Audio Technician, Scheitel’s Music
1998-Present: Outside Sales, Excellence Marketing
Certifications: CTS-D, NICET, CSP, CTS, Q-SYS L2
Rochester Community & Technical College (AFA Music Industry/Music Technology) 2011
Graduated McNally Smith College of Music (Diploma: Live Sound Reinforcement) 2012
Graduated McNally Smith College of Music (Diploma: Live Sound Reinforcement) 2012
2012-2013: Recording Engineer, North Coast Productions (Rochester, MN)
2013-2014: AV Technician, Audio Video Electronics (Minneapolis, MN)
2013-Present: Lead AV Operator, Westminster Presbyterian (Minneapolis, MN)
2014-2017: Instructor/Live Sound, McNally Smith College of Music (St. Paul MN)
2017-Present: AV Operator On-call, Eagle Brook Church (Spring Lake Park, MN)
2018-2019: AV Technician, Excel AV Group (Minneapolis, MN)
2012-Present: Freelance Engineer/Technician
2019-Present: Product Specialist, Excellence Marketing, Inc.
Certifications:
AVIXA™ CTS®
Dante Level 3
QSC Q-Sys Level 2
Symetrix SymNet Composer
St. Cloud State University 1985, BS: Mass Communications
1985-1990: Radio Announcer/Program Director (multiple locations in MN & IA)
1990-2010: Communications Specialist, Open Systems, Inc. (Shakopee, MN)
2010-Present: Office Manager, Excellence Marketing
1985-1990: Radio Announcer/Program Director (multiple locations in MN & IA)
1990-2010: Communications Specialist, Open Systems, Inc. (Shakopee, MN)
2010-Present: Office Manager, Excellence Marketing
Minnesota State University, Mankato 2015
Bachelor in Science in Sport Administration/Management
2015-2017: Management Assistant, Enterprise Rent-a-Car (Sioux Falls, SD)
2017-Present: Office Administration, Excellence Marketing
Bachelor in Science in Sport Administration/Management
2015-2017: Management Assistant, Enterprise Rent-a-Car (Sioux Falls, SD)
2017-Present: Office Administration, Excellence Marketing
With over with 30 years at Excellence Marketing, Paul combines bottomless technical knowledge with deep industry experience. Formerly a VP and salesperson with the company, Paul leads our Marketing efforts and assists in Operations. He possesses a true understanding of how to communicate manufacturers’ messages to our customer base. He also holds down the low end like a beast in his capacity as a long-time touring bass player, vocalist and guitarist.
