About Us
Heil Sound, Ltd. was founded by Bob Heil in 1966. Bob pioneered the live sound industry with clients such as the Grateful Dead, the Who, Joe Walsh, Peter Frampton, Jeff Beck and scores of major touring acts of the 60's and 70's.
Bob and Heil Sound have won numerous awards over the years, including the first ever "Pioneer Award" from the Audio Engineering Society, and the Parnelli Award.
In 2007, Bob was invited into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to put up a display of his historically important gear, including the first modular console (the Mavis) his custom quadraphonic mixer (for the Quadraphenia tour) and the very first Heil Talk Box.
No manufacturer has ever been invited into the Rock Hall before.
The Night That Modern Live Sound Was Born: Bob Heil & The Grateful Dead (From Performing Musician)
Heil Sound Team
- Bob Heil
- Position: CEO/Founder
Started in: 1940
Bob's life mission is to have fun and bring LOTS of people along for the trip. Bob barely got through grade school and then started making more money than his teachers by playing the (Hammond) organ. Then Bob became a pimp for his high school gym teacher (Sarah can fill you in on the details). Bob had 50+ years of "just OK" life until God sent him a red headed bundle of joy along with her bundle of joy and together they have more fun than a couple of squirrels in a nut forest.
- Sarah Heil
- Position: President
Started in: 1999
Having gotten off to a slow start (spending two years in kindergarten) she picked up the pace and graduated college with honors and now holds two degrees. Her favorite hobby is Bob. The End.
- Michelle Levitt
- Position: Creative Director/ Web Mistress
Started in: August 2004
Michelle graduated from Drury University with her Bachelors in Fine Arts and Design Arts. Michelle has always loved art. When she was three years old she painted her mother's newly redecorated bathroom with all of her favorite shades of lip stick. She and her husband Ashley live in Buffalo, NY and are avid St. Louis Cardinals fans.
- Jerry Lynch
- Position: Production Manager
Started in: May 2000
Jerry was born and raised in Freeburg. At age 4 Jerry received his first drum kit, but he doesn't need a drum set to beat on; he beats on everything...tables, chairs, laps, computers, coworkers...ahh f*** it dude, let's go bowling.
- Donna McIntyre
- Position: Service Manager
Started in: July 1993
Donna grew up in Fairview Heights. As a kid she grew specialty herbs in her mother's backyard. Donna is the mother of 3 dogs, 1 husband and 4 pet humans. She is also the very young grandmother of Grace, Emilee and Lilly.
- Greg McVeigh
- Position: Artist Relations/Public Relations
- Chris Mitchell
- Position: Assembly Technicial/ Official birthday cake cutter
Started in: August 2004
Chris attended Troy, Trojans grade school where she grew up. Chris is married to Gail Mitchell, Jr. (not to be confused with Gail Mitchell, Sr., the mayor of Fairview Heights). Chris' motto is "Shop till you drop."
- Judy Rickert
- Position: Office Manager
Started in: December 1997
Judy attended college at Southern Illinois University where she received her degree in education. Maybe that's why Judy writes down all the crazy/bad things we do and reads them off at our Christmas party. Judy loves her dog, her cats and her Cardinals.
- Steve Warford
- Position: Operations Manager (Amateur Radio/ Pro Audio)
Started in: April 2000
Grew up in Belle Vegas, Illinois. Steve has 5 sisters and 1 brother and for some reason doesn't like to share. Steve is a natural at tinkering with things. As a kid he turned his robotics set and Mom's video camera into a home surveillance system.
