WESTMARK PRODUCTIONS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Owner and Student - for - Life
Doug has owned the business since 1999. Before that he held a variety of engineering and management positions in both large and small firms, and before that was a working musician and studio recordist. He is an avid recordist with 45+ years of experience (and counting), and has delighted in finding new and interesting projects and educational opportunities to explore. He's a very happy father and grandfather with an unrelenting appreciation of dad jokes. He's very excited to be turning over the Westmark reins to Walt & Nick in the not-too-distant future. Read more about Doug here.
Job Titles:
- DMA, Co - Owner, Choir Director and Music Advisor
Job Titles:
- Member of the Westmark
- Owner Designate
Nick Benson was born in Dawson Minnesota to a music loving family. His youth was filled with lessons and performances in musicals, orchestras, honor choirs, all-state band, and numerous ensembles. With an aptitude for technology, Nick eventually was spending more time at lighting and sound consoles than onstage.
In 2008, Nick received an AAS in Audio Production and Engineering and was hired at Intuitive Recording Studio in Minneapolis. Here he spent over a decade honing his craft in all things audio while working on projects for MTV, CNN, The Food Network, Sesame Street, UnitedHealthcare, Best Buy, Target and more.
While at Intuitive, Nick had the great fortune of meeting Walt Boyd. In 2014 their mutual passions for music and technology led them to form All in the Couch LLC. They have since embarked on numerous ventures in support of musical artists. Nick has taken on responsibilities as audio engineer, producer, and editor, camera operator, video director and editor, booking agent, talent management, and consultant.
Nick joined Westmark in 2017. He has thoroughly enjoyed working with amazing co-workers and clients ever since. He looks forward to being able to continue to learn, grow, and improve while contributing to the legacy of Westmark Productions.
Nick is the newest member of the Westmark family, although new is a relative term. Nick and Walt co-own All in the Couch, LLC, a creative services company specializing in artist management, creative business development, media production, and marketing. Of late Nick has been moving out of his audio engineering comfort zone (as have we all) and is refining his skills in the video realm. Read more about Nick here.
Job Titles:
- Office Assistant, Choral Singer and Cat Whisperer
Patricia has been around the Westmark scene for a whole lot of years. Since the pandemic hit she's mostly been retired, but is still active in maintaining a semblance of normalcy when Mary Kay and Doug go out of town. Pre-pandemic she did graphic design, took care of order fulfillment, record-keeping and general sanity maintenance. That last one is a tough job in this business. She is adored by the Westmark cats.
Ryan has worked for a variety of non-profits over the years and took the plunge to become an independent web designer several years ago. He's the guy who set up this site but can't be blamed for any of the content. He is well known to the owners due to the fact that he married their daughter in 2010.
Job Titles:
- Recordist, Educator and Media Advisor Owner - Designate
Walt called out of the blue many years ago and asked if there was anything he could do to help. From taking any job that was given to him to being out in the world of social media to bringing new business our way Walt has indeed helped. And not just a little. He shares his expertise with the next generation of audio professionals through his teaching at MN State Colleges & Universities. See Walt's bio for more information.