What do Tom Petty, The Beatles and the president of the United States all have in common? They have all relied on local company, Whirlwind, to provide their audio interface equipment. Whirlwind CEO, Michael Laiacona, has had a love for music since he was a teenager. His creative talent and understanding of the elements of sound, drove him to create an innovative approach to merge manufacturing, sound and technology.

 

Join us as we hear about an entrepreneurial venture that began 35 years ago with simple audio accessories and has grown into a company that is the leader in commercial and digital audio products distributed on a world wide basis. Learn how the company grew and successfully responded to technology changes to meet the demands of computers and digital electronics. From an effects peddle made especially for John Lennon to the public address system at the new Yankee Stadium, Michael Laicona and his company have impacted the worldwide audio business from their location right here in Rochester, NY.

 

For the October 2010 Rising Stars, we welcome Michael Laiacona, President of Whirlwind.

 

With a passion for music since his teens, this 1972 graduate of Brockport State University set himself on a course to make music and audio his lifetime passion.

 

Michael played in music bands for over 30 years and learned skills that would set the stage for him developing products for the audio world. In 1972, Michael started his first venture in manufacturing audio products. MXR was formed to manufacture and distribute guitar effect pedals throughout the world. Five years and $2.1 million MXR became the largest musical effects company in the world. Interest was then sold to two other partners.

 

He began Whirlwind in 1976, distributing a simple line of audio accessories, worldwide. Today, Whirlwind is a global leader in commercial and digital audio products.