Rodgers Announces Executive Retirement & New Management Team

Rodgers Instruments Corporation has announced that current president, Duane “Dewey” Kuhn, has resigned his position and retired on June 30, of this year.

Kuhn joined Rodgers in 2004 after a long career in the musical instrument business including positions at Baldwin, Wurlitzer, and Church Organ Systems.

“Rodgers will miss Dewey’s passion for the organ and his tireless efforts to promote the Rodgers brand amongst new and experienced organ players alike,” said Jun-ichi Miki, Roland Corporation CEO and representative director. “Since joining Rodgers, Dewey has made tremendous strides in modernizing Rodgers’ business practices while greatly broadening the reach of Rodgers instruments within the organ community.”

“The time I have spent at Rodgers has been some of my most exciting years in the music industry,” said Kuhn. “I look back over the past ten plus years and am very proud of the changes we have implemented to improve the operating results of the company. In many ways the company today is a vastly different company compared to the past. Now is the time for new management to move the company forward and build on what has already been accomplished.”

At the same time, Roland Corporation appointed Richard Cardwell, current vice president of production, to “acting president” and Neil Weston, current business development manager, to director of sales effective July 1.

Cardwell joined Rodgers in 1987 and has held key management positions overseeing operations including manufacturing, purchasing, planning, warehouse, production, shipping and facilities. Before joining Rodgers, Richard managed a furniture-manufacturing factory producing household furniture and components that were distributed all over the U.S. “I feel privileged to have worked with Dewey Kuhn the last eight years,” said Cardwell. “In this new position as acting president, I will continue to improve upon the processes we have initiated to reach our goal of profitability and to positively contribute to the overall corporation.”

Neil Weston trained as an organist in London before working several years as a full-time professional musician. He transitioned into sales when he was recruited as a piano and organ salesman in the U.S. and eventually joined Rodgers where he was appointed central region sales manager in February 2014. “I have been privileged in my sales career to learn so much from some of the very best people in our industry.” said Weston, “Working with Dewey Kuhn, both at the dealer level and as a direct report, has been no exception. I believe we are extremely well placed to continue the expansion of our sales and distribution efforts in the U.S., and I look forward with great optimism to building stronger partnerships with our incredible dealer network and creating the brightest possible future for our brand together.”

“We sincerely wish Dewey luck in the next phase of his career and look forward to writing the next chapter at Rodgers,” said Miki.