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It takes a highly talented and focused team to keep tempo at one of the largest vinyl manufacturers in the country. Our leadership team? They're like the rock stars of the industry. They understand that it's all about that synergy, that collaboration. But at MRP, it's not just about working together to make records – it's about finding purpose in providing people the records they relish.
Meet Brandon Seavers, the Co-Founder and head honcho of Memphis Record Pressing, nestled snugly in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee. With a wealth of expertise spanning nearly three decades in the music and media manufacturing biz, he's no stranger to the game. Brandon cut his teeth as a recording studio engineer and touring musician, skills that eventually led him to partner with Mark Yoshida (MRP’s COO) to found AudioGraphic Masterworks (AGMW), an Indie-focused CD & DVD Manufacturing haven also hailing from Memphis, TN. Brandon spent several decades at AGMW refining the skills needed to not only operate a small business, but also to serve the growing needs of the creatives seeking to spread their music across the globe. At MRP, Brandon's the maestro orchestrating the symphony of vinyl production and sales, and ensuring top-notch customer service. And, as a native son of Memphis, he wears his local pride like a badge, representing his community by serving on the board of the Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Governors of the Recording Academy, and various other organizations throughout the city. When he’s not melting or spinning wax, Brandon invests all of his remaining time with his wife, son, and local church community.
MRP’s Co-Founder and COO Mark Yoshida, a Detroit native, graduated from the University of Memphis with a degree in Recording Technology. While in his final year of college (89'), Mark started Rockingchair Recording Studios in Memphis. In 1997, Yoshida teamed up with Brandon Seavers to found AudioGraphic Masterworks (AGMW), a CD/DVD manufacturing facility, which ultimately led to the creation of Memphis Record Pressing in 2014. Mark has previously served on the board of the Memphis chapter of the Recording Academy where he has been nominated several times for Engineer of the Year. In his spare time, Yoshida competes as a driver of the amateur race car team 901 Motorsports.
MRP's Director of Operations, Joe Harrald, is a manufacturing professional whose career has been dedicated to steel, chemical and automotive sectors. Over the past 40 years of his career, Joe has managed Brownfield facilities, as well as built and managed Greenfield facilities. These companies have afforded him different experiences around the world. He brings vast experience with manufacturing processes, materials, equipment and personnel management. Joe joined MRP several years ago with the intent to help make it the envy of the vinyl industry, which it is quickly becoming.
Lance has been with MRP since the fall of 2016, and has witnessed first-hand the immense growth that has transformed it from modest beginnings to a major player in the world of vinyl record manufacturing. Lance’s 30+ year supply chain background includes lengthy stints in logistics, operations (from floor-sweep to director), client management, and systems development and integrations. After moving to Memphis as a professional musician in 1990, Lance has continued to perform locally in a part-time capacity, and still writes and records music to keep that particular dream alive!
Les Edwards has worked as a finance professional in several industries, including manufacturing, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, franchising, agriculture, field service, entertainment, advertising, and fashion. He’s even worked as a production accountant for twelve independent films. Les has served as a volunteer for many small nonprofit arts organizations and he is the co-founder and former treasurer of the Indie Memphis Film Festival. His hobbies include bicycling, gardening, movies, and traveling with his wife Emily. They also maintain a house full of rescue animals. Les is a graduate of Arkansas State University and holds an active CPA license.
Lorri Allen-Moore joined Memphis Record Pressing as the Director of Human Resources in 2022. Lorri is a dedicated and accomplished human resources professional with over 30 years of experience. Lorri has a broad background in talent management, benefits and compensation, HR Policy and compliance, employee relations, and recruitment and retention. Lorri also has a broad knowledge of safety in the manufacturing environment. In her free time, Lorri enjoys traveling with her husband and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Austin is responsible for Memphis Record Pressing’s Packaging & Logistics Operations. He joined the MRP Team in 2022 with a background in Logistics Operations and experience in starting up and scaling a business. Since joining MRP Austin has worked to build a top-notch team and a great work culture. He has successfully helped scale MRP’s Packaging Operation, he has supported numerous ongoing improvement projects, he’s played a key role in solution design, and he’s helped develop MRP’s Warehouse Management system as it relates to Warehousing and Packaging. Austin likes being so close to music and says he thoroughly enjoys working alongside the MRP Team.
Arian Kennedy joined MRP's team in 2016 as a Customer Service Representative and in 2023, Arian began serving as the Customer Service Manager. She leads her team through processing orders for clients – overseeing all aspects from initial inquiries to order completion – and ensures that the needs of MRP's customers are met. Making ideas become reality as projects are completed is a top priority for Arian and MRP's customer service team. Outside of work, Arian spends her time with her two kiddos and can be found tending to her house plants or adding to her collection of rocks and gems.
Born and raised in Ohio, Phil Hartzell moved to Memphis with his touring rock band in 1992. Music was Phil’s sole profession until 2006, when he started his career at AudioGraphic Masterworks (AGMW). Though his official title was Project Manager at AGMW, being a small business, Phil multi-tasked by wearing many hats, including Customer Service Rep, Packaging Manager, Assistant Designer, Audio Assistant, and Shipping Manager. When Memphis Record Pressing was formed, Phil continued to be a large part of many aspects of the transition and was able to narrow his true focus as the years continued. Presently at MRP, Phil handles planning and scheduling orders while managing capacity to ensure all orders flow efficiently and into the hands of happy customers.
Catrina Traylor-Francis has served as MRP’s Marketing/Communications Director since joining the company in March of 2019. She graduated from the University of Memphis with a degree in Entertainment Management. After serving four years as the Artist Relations/Business Manager for the Memphis Music Foundation, a local non-profit, she landed a position as an On-Air Personality with iHeartMedia Memphis. While at WEGR Rock 103, she voiced mid-days and served as host/producer of the legendary station’s local music program called Memphis Made. She has served on many boards including the Centro Cultural Latino de Memphis, the Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) Celebration, and the Memphis Chapter of the Recording Academy. She currently serves on the board of the Memphis Listening Lab located in the Crosstown Concourse. In 2012, the Commercial Appeal named Catrina as a "Woman to Watch". Catrina loves playing her bass guitar and spending time with family and friends.
Andy Duggin, MRP's Facilities Manager, comes from a background of commercial and residential construction, repairs and preventive maintenance. He worked as a contractor for 40 years before joining MRP full-time and brings endless knowledge and experience to the facilities maintenance team that maintains both MRP campus sites.
