Yamaha Corporation of America (YCA) has announced that Dean Speers has joined the company as District Manager in the company’s Sales Group. He reports to Dan Rodowicz, senior director, Institutional Channel Sales.
In his new role, Speers will be responsible for working primarily with post-secondary institutions on providing solutions from the myriad products and instruments that Yamaha produces and distributes. He will work closely with all of the organization’s sales channels and channel partners to identify the customers’ needs and find the best solutions that only a company with the breadth of Yamaha can provide.
“Dean’s vast array of experiences both inside and outside of the music products industry made him an ideal choice for this position,” said Rodowicz. “I look forward to having him as a part of this expanding team.”
Before joining Yamaha, Speers held the position of Institutional Solutions Specialist at Metroplex Piano in Dallas, where he worked with colleges, universities, school districts, churches and music schools to determine the best solutions for their needs.
Prior to that, he was Sales Manager and Institutional Sales Manager at Forbes Piano Company in Birmingham, Alabama, working with universities in central Alabama.
In addition to his music business experience, his career has spanned a variety of industries, including systems development, insurance, construction, medicine and fitness.
“I am very focused on the customers and their needs. I want to get to know them, understand their needs, and help them through the process of improving their situations,” said Speers. “This opportunity at Yamaha is a dream job for me, as it combines my love of music and my love of people, and I am very honored and excited to be joining the Yamaha family.”
Speers earned his bachelor’s degree in Mathematics at the University of Montevallo.
A lifelong musician, Speers was a four-year all-state French Horn player, including first chair his senior year. He lives in Fort Worth, Texas with his wife, Julie and has four children.
