Casio America, Inc. has announced that Stephen Schmidt, Vice President of the company’s Electronic Musical Instruments (EMI) Division, will retire on September 30, after 19 years of dedicated service to Casio.
During his nearly two-decade tenure, Stephen Schmidt played a key role in advancing Casio’s corporate creed of “Creativity and Contribution,” offering people new ways to experience and enrich their lives. He began his career at Casio America as Vice President of Sales, supporting all major divisions including watches, calculators, digital cameras, business projectors, digital pianos, and portable keyboards. In this role, he managed independent and regional accounts nationwide, providing strategic guidance and driving growth across a diverse network of retail partners.
In 2009, Schmidt assumed the more focused role of Vice President of the EMI Division, where he made a lasting impact by overseeing the development and marketing of Casio’s award-winning musical instrument lines. These include the Privia and Celviano digital pianos, as well as the Casiotone portable keyboards—recognized globally for their innovation, quality, and accessibility, making them a trusted choice for everyone from beginners to educators and professional performers.
Throughout his time with Casio, Schmidt also contributed to several key initiatives across other divisions, including the U.S. launch of the Oceanus watch line, the development of Casio’s jewelry channel, and the introduction of new business ventures such as the Tryx digital camera and slim projectors. In the musical instruments space, he led three standout product launches, including two high-profile “Beyond Sound” events for the XW synth series—featuring The Crystal Method and Karmen—and the 2015 launch of the Grand Hybrid piano at Lincoln Center. Most recently, he supported the 2022 release of the Privia PX-S7000, a flagship product that redefined digital piano design for the modern lifestyle.
Before joining Casio, Schmidt built a successful career in the consumer electronics industry, holding leadership roles that spanned direct-to-consumer marketing, brand development, and long-term business strategy. He earned a strong reputation for consistently managing sales and profitability growth while helping brands expand their footprint in competitive market segments.
“Stephen has been a vital part of Casio America’s success in the music industry,” said Yusuke Suzuki, President and CEO of Casio America, Inc. “His leadership and vision have helped shape our Electronic Musical Instruments division, driving innovation, expanding our market reach, and strengthening our reputation for delivering outstanding products. We are deeply grateful for his contributions and wish him all the best in his retirement.”
Reflecting on his career, Schmidt said: “It has been an honor and a privilege to lead a company with such a well-known name and rich history. Casio’s mission to bring music to more people, initiated over five decades ago, has resulted in several award-winning, groundbreaking products. We continue to bring musical instruments to market for everyone, wherever they may be in their musical journey, from beginners to professionals. It is incredible to see how the music created through these instruments has changed lives, and it has been a joy to be part of that process.”
These milestones reflect Schmidt’s deep commitment to innovation, cross-functional leadership, and expanding Casio’s presence across both new and established markets.
Following Schmidt’s retirement, Brian Piccolo, currently General Manager of Sales for Casio America’s EMI Division, will assume Schmidt’s responsibilities, ensuring continuity for the company’s dealers, partners, and customers.
With deep appreciation for his years of service, Casio America congratulates Stephen on his retirement and celebrates the legacy he leaves behind.
