Kepma Guitars Expands National Sales Team to Drive Growth and Strengthen Dealer Partnerships

Industry veterans join Kepma Guitars USA to build stronger dealer relationships and support U.S. expansion. Top row, from left: Trish Moss, Rick van Heel, Phil Salazar and Heath Bathgate. Bottom row, from left: Matt Frampton, Sound Strategy Marketing, and Doug Schoenbeck. All are New Territory Sales Representatives.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Oct. 1, 2025) — Kepma Guitars USA today announced a significant expansion of its U.S. sales team with the addition of seven highly respected industry veterans across key territories. The new territory sales representatives will report to Marty Kloska, national sales manager.

“Bringing this team on board marks an exciting new chapter for Kepma USA,” said Tony Moscal, president of Kepma USA. “Each of these individuals brings a wealth of experience, strong dealer relationships, and a passion for music. Together, they will expand our reach across key regions and ensure our dealers and players receive the highest level of support as Kepma continues to grow in the U.S. market.”

New Territory Sales Representatives

Heath Bathgate - Michigan, Ohio With more than 35 years of experience in guitar sales, Heath Bathgate combines a career spanning leadership roles at Guitar Center with positions at iconic brands Fender and Gibson. Now representing Kepma Guitars, he leverages his deep industry expertise and passion for music to support dealers and guide players toward instruments that inspire creativity. Known for his customer-first approach, Bathgate is committed to helping musicians at every stage of their journey find guitars that deliver exceptional sound, reliability, and value, while ensuring retailers have the tools they need to succeed.

Rick van Heel - Colorado, Nevada, Utah Rick van Heel brings more than three decades of music industry expertise to his role as territory sales representative, having grown up in the business from the ground floor. Beginning at age 14 as a janitor in his local music store, he progressed through every operational role before ultimately acquiring ownership of the business, where his leadership earned Gibson Dealer of the Year honors in 2003. He later co-developed guitarsale.com, which became the world’s largest Gibson Custom Shop dealer before its acquisition by Guitar Center. Known for his ability to connect with musicians across all levels, van Heel combines authentic relationship-building with deep industry knowledge to support dealers and inspire players, while balancing his passion for drumming with time spent alongside his wife and their four Weimaraners.

Matt Frampton -  South Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia With more than 30 years of experience across independent dealers, national chains, and global manufacturers, Matt Frampton is known for his expertise in sales, operations, and event coordination. His career spans audio installations, guitar repair, merchandising, product demonstrations, and artist relations, where he has excelled at training, branding, and building impactful partnerships. As a professional guitarist and bassist performing since 1995, Frampton brings both technical insight and real-world musician experience to his role, helping connect artists and retailers with innovative tools that enhance performance and customer engagement.

Trish Moss - Tennessee, Indiana, Kentucky With a career that began at Gibson Guitars in 1982, where she rose from marketing secretary to district sales manager for Upstate New York and New Jersey, Trish Moss has built more than four decades of experience across some of the industry’s most iconic brands. Her background includes leadership roles with Akai Musical Instrument Corporation as national sales manager, Fender Musical Instruments as district sales manager for the Northeast, and multiple business development and key accounts positions with Gibson, where she partnered with top retailers including Sam Ash, American Musical Supply, and Retail Solutions. A classically trained violinist who later expanded into piano, keyboards, and guitar, Moss combines a lifelong passion for music with award-winning sales achievements, including Gibson’s exclusive Board Member Club recognition. Known for her ability to launch products, grow brands, and build lasting client partnerships, she brings deep expertise in go-to-market strategy and retail development, along with a philosophy rooted in collaboration, trust, and shared success.

Sound Strategy Marketing -  North Jersey, New York metro, New York state
Founded by industry veteran Zack Salpeter, Sound Strategy Marketing is a forward-thinking manufacturers’ representative firm that blends hands-on sales expertise with strategic brand development. With more than 20 years of experience, including his most recent role as director of North American sales, Salpeter launched the company to modernize the traditional rep model through agility, transparency, and results-driven solutions. Specializing in MI, pro audio, DJ, and CE, Sound Strategy Marketing partners with manufacturers to expand market presence, strengthen dealer relationships, and deliver long-term growth through a hybrid sales and marketing approach.

Doug Schoenbeck -  Illinois, Southern Wisconsin Doug Schoenbeck brings more than 30 years of professional guitar experience to his role, combining deep technical expertise with a lifelong passion for music. He spent 14 years as a guitar tech at Sam Ash, contributed to R&D and tech support with pickup maker APC, and has taught guitar for 15 years. Known for his hands-on knowledge and dedication to tone, Schoenbeck not only builds and modifies his own gear but also channels his expertise into supporting Kepma dealers and helping musicians find instruments that inspire creativity. He is also a well-known and respected active musician in his territory.

Phil Salazar - Texas Phil Salazar draws on more than 20 years at Sam Ash Music, where he led as guitar department manager and later as sales manager. Recognized for his leadership, product knowledge, and passion for customer service, Salazar has built lasting relationships with musicians and retailers alike. As a lifelong guitarist and frontman of his band Eden Burning, he brings authentic player insight to his role, working to establish Kepma as a trusted name across Texas while building a community of loyal musicians who value the brand’s craftsmanship and reliability.

Downloadable press release, company logo, and headshots are available here.

For additional information on new Kepma USA products and to find a retail partner near you, visit kepmausa.com. Follow @KepmaUSAOfficial on Facebook and Instagram.

Kepma USA Press Contact
Pauline France
Public Relations Manager
Kepma USA
pauline@paulinefrance.com

ABOUT KEPMA USA
Founded in 2009 by Jack Peng and Kevin Liu, Kepma USA is one of the world’s largest brands of high-end acoustic guitars, with its U.S. subsidiary headquartered in Nashville, Tenn. Using cutting-edge manufacturing technology from the U.S., Italy, Germany, and Japan, Kepma’s portfolio includes the High-end Elite, Mid-level Club, and Entry-level K3 series, delivering premium sound without the premium cost. To learn more, visit kepmausa.com and follow @KepmaUSAOfficial on Facebook and Instagram.