PNW Section’s June 2026 meeting capped its 2025-2026 season, and featured a showcase of a new, top-class “community” studio partially funded by a Minneapolis city grant for “Vibrant Storefronts.” This meeting was also the PNW annual business meeting and election. 33 people attended on Zoom, with 25 being AES members.

After opening remarks by PNW Chair Jess Berg, Election Committee Chair Dan Mortensen announced a quorum in attendance, and asked to move that the slate be adopted by acclamation, which it was. Therefore, the PNW officers and committee looks like this for 2026-2027:

The following committee members continue in the final year of their 2-year terms:

Chair: Jess Berg

Vice-Chair: Micah Hayes

Secretary: Gary Louie

Treasurer: Lawrence Schwedler

Odd-numbered Committee, (final year of two-year terms):

Jayney Wallick

Luke Goodloomis

Matthew Sutton

Dan Mortensen

Erin Shellman

Even-numbered Committee, (beginning two-year terms in fall 2026):

Luke Pacholski

Rod Evenson

Michael Ashton

Pete Weise

James D. (jj) Johnston 

After attendee self-introductions, Jess introduced the Evergreen principals, Christian Murphy, Joe Sadowski, Austin Sprynczynatyk, Colin Smaagaard and Max McDougall.

They sat down for some questions about the studio, including writing the grant proposal and competing for the space, taking over the space left by the Institute of Production and Recording (IPR), creating a community arts hub for veterans as well as newbies, helping revitalize downtown Minneapolis, and, of course, the gear.

Here’s the link to the “Vibrant Storefronts” grant they were awarded from the City of Minneapolis: https://mplsartsandculture.org/vibrant-storefronts 

Other questions from the audience included the acoustics, monitor speakers, wiring-infrastructure, room treatment, and outboard gear.

Then, a full tour of the facility was done with a WI-FI laptop. Afterwards, attendees could stay on Zoom for open chat, discussing things from recent gigs to event operations to radio transmitters.