Ours is a company founded on needs. In this business, it's hard enough to just get a project done. To that end, we ask a bunch of questions: Does your current set-up give you headaches? Always running behind your gear to shuffle wires? Do you want to incorporate the latest technology, but not sure how to fit it in? Plagued by crashes or equipment failures? Does the set-up in your conference room just not feel right? Need help planning a new room or facility? Or, do you just need a great price on something? Let's face it. Most of the items we sell can be purchased from hundreds of different sources these days. What we are selling is service: Service to help you decide what type of system you need for your business to succeed. Service to give you fair prices, faithful support, and assistance when acquiring the technology. A smart engineer to build a reliable and user friendly system. Fast, efficient, meticulous technicians to install and maintain it. Knowledgeable sales people to keep you informed of the latest technology trends and solutions. When you call Z Systems, you will be talking to sales people who are engineers, technicians who are editors. The hierarchy is minimized, to maximize the personalized experience. Yes, we have voicemail, but if you have to leave a message, you are going to get a quick call back.

John Zdechlik, President
John is a degreed electrical engineer who has spent all of his professional life in the audio, video, audiovisual, and IT industry. Job roles have included consultant, design engineer, sales engineer, and now president of Z Systems. John founded Z Systems in 1998 based on a need in the marketplace for a small, elite group of highly technical people to tackle the tough jobs in a very hands-on manner.

Steve "Wolfie" Browender, Account Manager
Steve (Wolfie) was a long-time client, and liked us so much he decided to join up! As the former manager, senior editor, shooter and producer at a local production shop, he understands the varied needs of video professionals. Steve is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Communication Arts. When he is not at work he enjoys playing football on Sunday afternoons in the 'Flabby Guys Football League', playing softball and refining his grilling skills. He also enjoys hanging out with the women in his life, daughters Carolyn and Amy and wife Sue . Be warned - he is a semi professional practical joker. Ask him how he got his nickname...if you dare.

Vince Meyer, Account Manager
Vince has been in the electronics world for 15 years, and was one of John Z’s ‘go-to’ vendors 10 years ago. He is a product of parents who were teachers, and lived in Germany, Japan, and the Philippines until he was 15. He has a B.S. in Fine Arts (Computer Graphics emphasis) from the Univ. of MN Duluth. Vince enjoys spending time with his lovely bride Deedee and new son Lucas. He has all the boy scout traits including loyalty and patience – as demonstrated by the fact that he is still a Vikings fan.

Paul Henry, Paul Henry Pro Audio
Paul has spent the last 20+ years listening to and satisfying his clients’ needs in the vibrant and exciting world of live and recorded audio. An early interest in computers and video games merged with an existing love of music and combined to form a skill set that can cut through the vaporware, promises, and unrealized expectations that can plague the pro audio industry. This coupled with an honest, humorous, and humble sales approach have proven to be a solid foundation for both his clients’ success and has helped Paul become an industry leader in service and product acumen.

Spending the first half of his life in the sunny confines of Southern California he later migrated to the frozen tundra of the 3rd coast, Minneapolis, Minnesota. From his sub-zero, crystallized lair he lays waste to preconceived notions of what pro audio purchasing should be like, meeting clients’ demands and often unseen desires with breakneck efficiency.

With his ability to utilize an in-place network of lifelong contacts, coupled with a love of gear from vintage to virtual, Paul's base in Minneapolis has become a solid home for his passion: helping others in their musical pursuits.

Greg Chastain

Greg is Z System's IT guru. In addition to the care and feeding of our internal IT infrastructure, Greg is known around town as the 'go-to' guy when problems arise with any sort of digital media computer or network. So much so, that he's earned the moniker 'Dr. Panic.' Specializing in non-linear systems and video SAN technologies, Greg complements our other service and installation resources perfectly.

Greg's caring and feeding skills now extend beyond our IT infrastructure with the addition of his children - the cute and very clever Emmett and the adorable Ellie. No doubt Greg and Molly will have Emmett and Ellie rock climbing in no time. Can you say carabiner?

Jay Gallentine, Integration Manager

Jay is a facility designer, computing tech, and project manager. Also an Avid ACSR, plus an Apple-Certified Xsan and MacOS Technician. Having worked for over twelve years as a film and video editor, this expatriate refers to himself as a ‘recovering editor’. Jay holds a Bachelor's Degree with Honors in Broadcasting and Film Production from the University of Iowa.

Before entering the boreal world of film and television, Jay competed as a sponsored endurance athlete. His exploits included the Ironman Triathlon, qualifying for the Boston Marathon, and numerous top-five triathlon finishes.

Jay is the author of a new book about exploring the solar system, which he spent five years researching and writing.

Adam Colt, Installation Technician
At the age of 19 he opened his first recording studio “Digitrax” in Edina, after several years in the recording  business he went to work for many of the names you used to know and love including Knut Koupee and American Pro Audio. He even applied to work at Torp’s Music, Harold once said he wished he had hired him. Pulled into education he help start the Audio Recording School at HTC with Tommy Wiggins. After getting a teaching certificate, he taught there for several years.  Then serving a short stint with Pillhoffer Music,  he climbed under the tech bench to work at Asche & Spencer Music.  A/V is in his blood.  His aspiration in life is to record  John Z performing his Def Leppard tribute album.

Max Denton, Installation Technician
Max gets a real kick out of making technical magic happen.  This can mean turning a pile of wire into the backbone of a production facility,  transforming a computer and a fistful of components into a turnkey editing system, or troubleshooting his way to the bottom of any problem.  Throughout high school, Max surrounded himself with the production scene, from his beginnings mixing sound for a church youth band, to the sixteen outdoor Christian concerts he produced, to many late nights working for a commercial audio company.  Nowadays, when Max isn't working a Z Systems, you can find him mixing sound for his church, planning his next show or editing in Pro Tools and Final Cut at all hours of the night.

Margie Zdechlik, Controller
Margie is in charge of financial oversight, client credit, and vendor relations. And, if anyone has questions about running a Girl Scout troop, Margie's definitely your go-to person.

Lisa Helmstetter, Operations Support
Just what does Lisa do? A more appropriate question might be, "What doesn't Lisa do?" Maintaining our web site, auditing, accounting, marketing, event planning, and keeping the office from being overrun with testosterone are just a few things. If you throw a task at her, she'll always get it done. Even if she has no clue how to do it, her can-do attitude and dedication to getting the job done ensures the task will be completed.

Special talent: jigsaw puzzles. Lisa can complete a 1000 piece puzzle in a day or less. Her "Rainman" like concentration is amazing - and a little scary.

Brittany Miller

Brittany keeps operations ship-shape and basically tries to be useful wherever possible. She has degrees in theater and English, both from the College of St. Benedict. When she’s not making spreadsheets and checking off to-do lists at Z Systems, she makes spreadsheets and checks off to-do lists for Spencer McGillicutty, a retro folk-pop band that she sings in! They just released their sophomore album, Games.
It’s available on their website: www.spencermcgillicutty.com

Or give them a listen at: www.myspace.com/spencermcgillicutty

"Incredible job. Your perseverance, dedication, recommendations, professionalism, and ability to drive the project allowed us to keep our business focused and running throughout the install. We couldn't have picked a better, trusted partner on our project."
-Fallon/Minneapolis

"These guys are really good. Having our system professionally installed was the best option... observing their meticulous work, I knew that we had made the right decision when we chose Z Systems. My productivity as a Production Manager and Editor has increased... I guarantee that we will be using your services in the future!"
-Target Corporation

"A great job of helping us envision what we needed our new studios to be. Z Systems got us up and running in the time they promised and at the price they promised...and made sure the job was done right."
- Babe Winkelman Productions

"It is not often that I have seen the attention to detail and tremendous customer service we received from you."
- Chameleon Video Group

"Service and support. That's the reason I purchased my Avid Xpress Pro from your company. Plain and simple. Your dedication to making sure that my project was done before deadline was mind blowing."
- Ed Heil, StoryTeller Productions