GLOBAL: Meyer Sound has named John McMahon Chief Operating Officer, formalising a leadership remit that has expanded steadily during his 20 years with the company and now spans sales and marketing, R&D and operations.

“We push our products to perform at an extremely high level, and we’re pushing ourselves to perform at that same level from a business perspective,” says McMahon. “That means the way we operate has to scale with where we’re growing.”

McMahon already oversees the three functions, which will continue to report to him under the new structure. The appointment broadens his organisational perspective rather than significantly altering his day-to-day responsibilities.

“Honestly, the day-to-day doesn’t dramatically change,” he says. “What changes is the scope—I can spend more time across R&D and operations and take a more organization-wide view.”

McMahon joined Meyer Sound in 2006 following the acquisition of Level Control Systems, where he was CEO, and has been part of the executive team since 2008. His early work at Meyer Sound focused on digital engineering, including technologies underpinning the Constellation® acoustic system.

As COO, McMahon will work closely with co-founders John Meyer and Helen Meyer, who remain actively involved in the company’s long-range direction and daily operations. His expanded role will focus on company-wide execution of that vision and strategy.

“I’ve always thought of myself as a synthesizer,” says McMahon. “We have experts across this company, and my job is to bring their thinking together and help the pieces fit.”

The evolving leadership structure will also see Meyer Sound recruit a Vice President of Sales & Marketing.

McMahon’s appointment comes as the company continues its international expansion. Earlier this year, Meyer Sound announced the opening of a new Shanghai facility, a wholly owned subsidiary that will produce the company’s top-selling loudspeakers exclusively for the China market. The 4,500-square-meter factory will assemble products using the same processes and quality control standards employed at Meyer Sound’s Berkeley, California facility.

“I’m excited about the energy we’re unlocking in Asia, and the response to Shanghai has reached well beyond China,” says McMahon. “I’m also looking forward to seeing how people put TIGRA, our newest line array, to work now that it’s out in the field.”

Alongside its geographic expansion, Meyer Sound continues to develop its product portfolio, targeting higher performance from increasingly compact loudspeakers while strengthening the digital infrastructure connecting its products and systems.

“This is a growth phase for the company,” says McMahon. “Shanghai was the first public announcement of that, and this role is another one. We’re working to position the company in a more connected fashion with our customers and strengthen our global footprint.”

“John has sat at the table for nearly every important decision we’ve made for 20 years, and he has never lost sight of what this company stands for,” says Helen Meyer. “As we grow into new markets and new categories, his experience, judgment, and ability to bring people together make him the right person to take on this broader role.”