After a tumultuous five-year period, which began in 2012 when Thiel was sold to Tennessee private investor David B. Griffin, we can now confirm that Thiel Audio has been closed for good. Failing some kind of 11th hour rescue, another great American audio brand will be relegated to the dustbin of history.
Stephen DeFuria
DeFuria Memorial Service Set by Family
Stephen DeFuria, a well-known industry executive passed away early Sunday morning last weekend as we previously reported. At the time of that announcement, the family had not had the opportunity to make all of the necessary final arrangements before that post was published.
Now we have the latest information on DeFuria’s memorial service… [Read more…] about DeFuria Memorial Service Set by Family
Stephen DeFuria, Top Audio Executive & Friend to Many, Dies
Stephen DeFuria, a top specialty audio industry sales executive uniquely conversant in both high-end AND more mainstream audio, died early Sunday morning after a long battle with cancer. DeFuria was 61-years old and passed away at home with his family at his side.
See more on the passing of Stephen DeFuria… [Read more…] about Stephen DeFuria, Top Audio Executive & Friend to Many, Dies
Tons of Turmoil at Thiel; Is There Yet Another New CEO?
Tipped off by a source, we have learned that the turmoil at Thiel Audio continues, as yet another wave of executives have arrived and departed – leaving the company ostensibly leaderless and seemingly adrift in the market. The revolving executive door at Thiel seems to be an annual event as we await news on yet another team to jump in the saddle…or into the fire, depending on your perspective.
See more on what we’ve learned… [Read more…] about Tons of Turmoil at Thiel; Is There Yet Another New CEO?
Major Changes at Tivoli Audio – DeVesto’s Out; Interim CEO Announced
Big changes are afoot at Tivoli, the quirky audio products manufacturer that had a goal of providing nicely designed, easy-to-use, high quality audio products sold largely direct-to-consumers at reasonable prices. Founded by well-known industry personality Tom DeVesto, Tivoli had, for some time, remarkable success selling an almost retro-designed table radio…at a time when most companies had abandoned that category.
Now, big changes are at play – with DeVesto out and a new Interim CEO appointed by the Tivoli board.
See more on these dramatic changes at niche-player Tivoli… [Read more…] about Major Changes at Tivoli Audio – DeVesto’s Out; Interim CEO Announced
Thiel Audio: DeFuria & Brown are Out; Is the Other Shoe Dropping?
BREAKING NEWS
Our inquiry started innocently enough. Last week, we received an emailed press release that contained this headline: “VANA Ltd. Appoints Stephen DeFuria as Director of Sales, East.” Now we generally receive dozens of press releases every day – but this one caught our immediate attention…literally causing us to pick the phone to make a call for confirmation. Why? Because Stephen DeFuria was part of a team hired by Thiel Audio to help turn that business around – and now, only one year later, he is out…with no explanation. But that was just the beginning.
Now, there’s reason to question whether the “other shoe” may be dropping at Thiel… [Read more…] about Thiel Audio: DeFuria & Brown are Out; Is the Other Shoe Dropping?
Thiel Audio’s Bob Brown Sees ‘Lots of Opportunity’
Although things often move slowly in the world of high end audio – models stay in the line for years, product testing goes on for months, policies are practically carved in stone – upscale loudspeaker manufacturer Thiel Audio is undergoing an incredibly rapid series of changes in the wake of its purchase last November by a group of Tennessee-based investors. Their latest addition, the well-known industry personality Bob Brown as a Board member and Interim COO, generously granted strata-GEE.com an interview to discuss in detail just where Thiel is at – and where it’s going.
