Bob Wiese

Bob graduated from UW – Platteville in 1970 with a BS in Industrial Technology.  Upon graduating, he went straight into the world of AV as Studio Supervisor for ABC in New York City.  He eventually came back to Wisconsin and worked as the Producer and Director for Channel 3 in Madison, then for Channel 6 in Milwaukee.  Finding that he really enjoyed sales, he decided to combine his AV knowledge with his knack for selling and worked as a Sales Representative for Video Images and then Swiderski Electronics.  He then went on to become the Rental Manager for Select Sound Services, before ultimately deciding in 1989 to begin Studio Gear.

In addition to founding and growing Studio Gear, Bob has also been involved in multiple organizations, including the Liscum Brothers American Legion Post No. 482, the Television and Video Production Advisory Committee for MATC, and the Third Ward Association.

Lana Wiese

Lana began her venture into the world of business management and ownership with a BS in Business from the University of Wisconsin - Platteville in 1971.  From there, she went on to receive her MBA from UW - Whitewater in 1982. After graduating, she worked for Wisconsin Bell in management positions in several departments, including Regulatory, Strategic Planning, Comptrollers, Network Switched Services, Technical Training, and Yellow Pages.  She stayed with Wisconsin Bell for over 20 years, until 1993 when she decided to transition to full time involvement with Studio Gear.

Throughout the years, Lana has also been very active in the non-profit community, serving on many boards and bringing her business expertise to multiple organizations.  She has served as Board President for the Wisconsin Women Business Initiative Corporation, and for the Women’s Center in Waukesha.  In addition, she was on the fund development committee and the capital campaign steering committee for the Women’s Center.  She was also Board Vice President, Fund Development Chair, and Finance Chair for the Next Door Foundation.  She was a chair for the ELCA Synod Outreach Fund, and has acted on the boards for Professional Dimensions, the OSLC Foundation, and Summerfest, as well as on the finance committee for Summerfest.

Derek Wadina
Operations Manager

Derek has been with Studio Gear since 1994, with years of experience, he has a vast knowledge and understanding of the production industry and live events.

By speaking with clients throughout the production process, no matter their level of understanding of the technology, Derek brings ideas and concepts to reality and helps deliver their message.

Over the years, Derek has discovered that while everyone can have the right equipment, it's having the right people that allows Studio Gear to deliver exceptional results.  He feels there is no greater team of talented co-workers than those at Studio Gear.  

Logan allen
Senior Project Manager

One of the things Logan enjoys about working at Studio Gear is the variety of work they do - everyday is different, and each opportunity presents a new set of challenges to conquer.  His team is a great group of guys that make working long hours rewarding and worth the effort.

Before becoming a technician at Studio Gear, Logan was a video promotion producer at Wisconsin Public Television and a director/producer at the Madison Mallards Baseball Club.

When not at work, Logan enjoys reading, writing, film, snowboarding, spending time with friends and family, and finding buried treasures.

Kimberlee Beggs
Senior Project Manager

Before relocating to Milwaukee to join the Studio Gear Team, Kimberlee worked on a variety of performances and presentations with artists all around Rhode Island.  Previously, she studied General and Technical Theatre at Rhode Island College, focusing on lighting, audio, and stage management. Kim enjoys the fast pace variety that the event industry provides. 

In her spare time, Kim likes to cook, listen to podcasts, and adventure with her family and tiny Dachshund, Wall-E.

Collin Donohue
Senior Project Manager

Collin has worked for the UW-Milwaukee Dance and Theatre Department in various positions including technical director, sound engineer, master electrician, and carpenter.  He also worked at the Dallas Theatre Center as their sound engineer.  Collin enjoys the unique challenges that each event presents.  No two jobs are ever the same and require their own approach to best suit the needs of the client.  He also enjoys working in an industry that is constantly evolving and growing with new technologies and applications.

Kelly Meyer
Senior project Manager

Before joining Studio Gear in 2008, Kelly worked in AV rentals and production for nine years.  He’s a career AV guy.

Kelly likes just about everything about his job.  Bob and Lana, the owners at Studio Gear, are different from any other employer he’s had because they listen to the techs, whether it’s for recommendations on new gear, workflow optimization, efficiency, or anything else.  They also invest a significant amount back into the company, always purchasing the newest and coolest gear.  And Kelly feels that his colleagues are hands down the most technically proficient group he’s ever worked with.

Fun outside the office for Kelly includes spending time with his wife and three kids, camping during the two-week period Wisconsin weather allows for it, watching Packers and Badgers football games, and downhill skiing.

Brett Mehre
Project manager

Before starting at Studio Gear, Brett spent 11 years in audio production/post-production with two local video production companies. Brett really enjoys the variety that he experiences every day working at Studio Gear.

When not working, Brett enjoys camping, swimming, biking and fishing.  He has a passion for music and enjoys listening to, playing, writing and producing music.  He also loves to spend time with his family, especially his grand-daughter.

Todd Riggs
Project Manager

Before joining Studio Gear, Todd worked at Bemis Manufacturing Company in Sheboygan Falls, WI. He created training videos for every department in the company and worked in all aspects of video production, including scriptwriting, lighting, videography, editing, and graphic design. He also worked as a freelance writer for the Sheboygan Press newspaper for two years while working at Bemis.

The best parts of Todd’s job are the wide variety of things he gets to do and the types of events he works.  He has worked with the CEOs of large corporations, high-profile politicians, musicians, television and radio celebrities, doctors, restaurateurs, non-profit organizations, investment firms, and more. His job responsibilities vary for every event, so he’s not doing the same thing day after day, keeping it fresh and interesting.

When not at the office Todd feeds his passion for cooking - he’s always looking for new exciting food combinations after working many events with some of the most famous chefs in the world. He also has an extensive music collection, and spends a lot of free time editing, restoring, and mastering old music from vinyl and cassettes. He also dabbles in video editing at home.

Michelle Binish
Production Technician

Originally from New York, Michelle studied theatre design/tech with a concentration in lighting at SUNY New Paltz, graduating in 2010. After graduating, for the next 6 years she worked at various theatres on Long Island in many capacities as a stage manager, master electrician, lighting designer, carpenter, assistant technical director, and lighting supervisor.

She has been with Studio Gear since 2016, enjoying the variety the event industry has to offer.

When not at work, Michelle is busy being a mom & wife. She also enjoys the occasional trivia night.

Derek Buckles
Production Technician

Derek is a graduate of the theatrical design and technology program at UW Stevens Point, emphasizing in sound design and scenic carpentry. While in college Derek freelanced around the country on various projects, as well as working for the UW Stevens Point Event Production Department. Upon graduating Derek worked on award winning theatrical productions nationwide, as well as a Texas residency as a carpenter, deck chief, and fly captain. He then decided to settle back down in the Milwaukee area to work as an entertainment production manager, sound designer, and audio engineer.

When not at work Derek is producing/designing theatre productions, composing music, and getting lost in the woods.

Nathaniel Dauphin
Production Technician

Nathaniel grew up in Louisiana, where he regularly worked with the audio and video teams at his churches from grade school through college. After college, he moved to Georgia to work full time in the live event production industry, primarily serving nonprofits and religious organizations. He relocated to Milwaukee in early 2022 to work with Studio Gear, and has been loving the cooler weather so far.

Nathaniel enjoys learning about the technology used in the audiovisual industry, and is constantly searching for a new piece of gear to practice with, or a new skill to add to his toolbox.

Outside of work, Nathaniel enjoys shooting landscape photography, watching films, discovering new music, and tinkering with electronics.

Jordan Derksen
Warehouse Supervisor/Support Technician

Bio coming soon!

Michelle DeVillers
Production Technician

Originally from Michigan, Michelle studied Theater Design and Technology at Western Michigan University. After graduation she went to live on the high seas and worked for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line as a stage technician, running Broadway style shows and setting up belly flop competitions. Upon deciding she wanted to live a life on land she relocated to Milwaukee and began working for Studio Gear! Michelle is excited to keep learning new technology and creating events.

In her spare time, she loves cooking, reading comic books and playing video games.

Steven Eddings
Production Technician

Steven started his journey in 2006 as an apprentice at Bob Moore audio in Colorado Springs, CO. Working in a recording studio for 6 years and then transitioning to live sound in 2012. Steven has worked in various roles throughout the years as he followed his wife in the military. Before joining the Studio Gear team Steven worked as the audio tech/ FOH engineer for Vista community church in Temple, TX, as well as working alongside a local production company as a freelance A/V tech.

Steven has a passion for audio and letting people’s message be heard with no distractions.

Noah FRYe
Production Technician

Noah graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside with a BA in Theatre Arts with a concentration in design, technology, and management. Noah has most recently been on the national Broadway tour, Waitress, as the Assistant Electrician.  Previously, Noah had attended the Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas where he received an intensive 8 weeks of hands on technical training, primarily in lighting technologies. Noah has also previously worked at Fireside Dinner Theatre as the Assistant Technical Director, and American Players Theatre as a Production Assistant.

Carlin greenfield
Production Technician

Carlin grew up in the shadow of Manhattan before moving to Fort Wayne, Indiana where they studied Theatre, Media Production, and Electrical Engineering at Purdue University-Fort Wayne. Carlin enjoys the challenge of creating reliable systems that achieve the creative and budgetary needs of the client, and the payoff of a show well done.

When not working at Studio Gear Carlin enjoys gardening and sailing.

Justin Johnson
Production Technician

Bio coming soon!

Jack Kannenberg
Production Technician

Bio coming soon!

Kyle Rogers
Production Technician

Bio coming soon!

Deng Xiong
Production Technician

Deng is a graduate of the Peck School of Arts Film at UW-Milwaukee with a passion for directing, cinematography, and production design. During his time in college he interned at UW-Milwaukee Relations and Communications department as a videographer. Deng also previously worked as freelance videographer and as an inventory specialist at Best Buy.

The production industry brings many challenges and it is where Deng feels most at home. Learning and experimenting with new equipment. Meeting and working with new clients. These are the skills and experiences that Deng yearns for because they not only bring value to his career but his personal life as well.

Outside of work. Deng enjoys watching, shooting, and editing films. He is also an avid sports fan. Most importantly Deng loves to spend time with his family and friends.

SARA Beggs
Office Administrator/billing Coordinator

Originally from Rhode Island, Sara studied technical theatre with a concentration in Stage Management at the University of Rhode Island. She spent the next 12 years stage managing professionally throughout New England before relocating to Milwaukee. She enjoys working with the rest of Studio Gear’s crackerjack front office team, as well as it’s fantastic management and technicians, to provide a wonderful experience for the clients. When she’s not at the office, Sara can be found baking, at the theatre, or running around at the dog park with her dachshund, Wall-e.

Laura Wendt
executive assistant

At Studio Gear, Laura enjoys working with her fellow employees and helping the clients with their needs.  She also likes working with Lana and Bob, tackling the many files that cross their desk and keeping the office dog Coco happy.

When not working, Laura likes to relax with yoga, read a good book, and spend time with friends and family.  She devotes much of her time to animals, both her own dog and many others.  She likes to focus on animal wellness, training, and pet sitting.