Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal opened the ceremonies, and PreSonus Chairman of the Board Kevin Couhig, CEO Jim Mack, cofounder/Chief Strategy Officer Jim Odom, and cofounder/VP of Manufacturing Brian Smith each offered their thoughts about the gorgeous new building at 18011 Grand Bay Court, just off Highland Road.
“This new facility enables us to continue to grow PreSonus and at the same time improve the lives of our staff,” said Mack. “Its architectural design enables us to work better as a team, be more productive and better create, market, and sell our products.” Noted Odom, “We now have the facilities to research, innovate, and develop the next generation of music and audio products.”
Designed by local architects Ritter Maher, and developed by Moniotte Investments, the new 44,000-square-foot building cost approximately $8.8 million, including land and development. Among the unique features is a specialized high-tech recording studio/R&D space that was custom-designed for PreSonus’ engineering and testing teams by the award-winning Walters-Storyk Design Group of Highland, New York. The 2,500-square-foot, state-of-the-art studio features a control room, a 500-square-foot live-sound room, two isolation rooms, a video-production suite, and five test labs, as well as a separate 1,500-square-foot live-sound room.
The grand opening celebration used virtually every inch of the building, with live bands entertaining the crowd in the parking lot, the foyer, and the live-sound room, as well as jamming in the studio. Featured performers included Tab Benoit (backed by Louisiana’s LeRoux, with Jim Odom on guitar), Edwin McCain, Briana Tyson, and Chris LeBlanc.
PreSonus CEO, Jim Mack
Founded in 1995, PreSonus Audio Electronics, Inc., is a leading manufacturer of digital and analog hardware and integrated software systems for the professional audio market, PreSonus has expanded from 49 employees in 2009 to more than 130 employees worldwide, including the 80 full-time employees who were overflowing its former offices.
PreSonus’ rapid growth, local hiring, and emphasis on digital engineering qualified it for LED Digital Interactive Media and Software Development tax-credits. This program supports the creation of quality digital-engineering jobs that stay in the Baton Rouge community. Historically, companies like PreSonus have usually located on the East or West Coast. However, the tax-credit program has helped make it possible for PreSonus to grow and prosper in its home city, investing these funds in new engineering staff and in research and development. Many of the new hires are highly skilled digital-hardware and software engineers residing in the Baton Rouge area.
Much of the engineering team graduated from the LSU Engineering Department, and the company was recently named to the LSU 100 Fastest Growing Tiger Businesses. PreSonus also is working with LSU in an effort to develop local design talent through the university’s outstanding engineering programs and internships.
www.presonus.com
