Jim Stella

Jim Stella began playing the trumpet in the fourth grade, continued through college, and attended instrument repair school immediately after. He began working for Leblanc in the Martin Band Instrument factory and soon became plant supervisor. Jim helped create and design instruments with Larry Ramirez for legendary performers such as Clark Terry and Miles Davis. Before the factory was sold to Conn-Selmer, Jim was placed in charge of closing the Martin building. He then moved to Getzen, where he became plant manager for the entire operation in Elkhorn, Wisconsin.