Media Spokespeople

Mike Abt is Co-President of Abt Electronics, where he oversees all financial decisions and plays a key role in shaping the company’s strategic direction. Since starting part-time at Abt in 1975, Mike has been a driving force behind the company’s environmental efforts, championing sustainability long before it became standard practice. His commitment to green initiatives led to the creation of Abt’s 30,000-square-foot on-site recycling center, which allows customers to safely dispose of electronics and appliances.

A recognized industry leader, Mike has worked closely with top retail buying groups, including the Pro Buying Group, and currently serves on the boards of NATM Buying Corporation and the Illinois Retail Merchants Association. A passionate naturalist, Mike has volunteered at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium and led programs for inner-city youth, reflecting his dedication to both the environment and the community. His expertise spans sustainability in retail, industry partnerships and financial strategy.

Jon Abt is Co-President of Abt Electronics, the nation’s largest independent retailer of electronics, appliances and home goods. A third-generation leader in the family-run business, Jon grew up immersed in the electronics retail industry. Before joining Abt full-time, he spent a decade as a Project Manager for the GRAMMYs and Director of Marketing at DTS.

In 1997, Jon launched Abt’s e-commerce platform, making Abt.com one of the first authorized online retailers for major brands like Sony and Panasonic. That pivotal move helped position Abt as a national retail leader. Today, Jon oversees both online and in-store operations, managing a team of 1,700 experts alongside his three brothers. He continues to drive the company’s innovation and customer-first approach through new verticals and ongoing facility expansions, including Abt’s campus, now spanning over 1 million square feet.

Jon is passionate about music, family and giving back. He serves on the board of the For Autistic Kids Foundation. His expertise includes Abt company news, retail trends and insights on industry and business developments

Carl Prouty is Abt’s go-to retail and technology expert, bringing over two decades of experience to his role. Since joining Abt in 2002, Carl has worked in service, sales and now as a trusted face and voice across Abt’s media platforms. He hosts and produces product videos for Abt’s website and YouTube channel, contributes to print content, and regularly appears on TV and radio to share expert insights, product demos and gift ideas. Carl specializes in appliances, TVs, audio and the latest tech trends, making complex gadgets easy to understand for all consumers.
Carl began his career at Abt in 2002 as a member of the Electronics Service department. Using the knowledge he acquired assisting customers over the phone and in person, he transitioned to a sales position within the Small Electronics department. From there he was promoted to Phone and Internet sales, where he spent 12 years providing expert help to customers shopping for electronics and appliances for their homes.

Ryan Hickey is the Custom Security Manager at Abt Electronics, where he leads the department with a focus on providing customers with personalized, reliable security solutions. Since joining Abt nine years ago as a technical support specialist, Ryan has grown into a leadership role, bringing expertise in home and business security systems. His mission is to ensure every customer feels confident and protected, with solutions tailored to their unique needs.

Shirley Hood is an appliance expert, content creator and the longtime voice of Abt Electronics.

A team member since 1994, Shirley blends her sales expertise with a passion for educating customers—whether she’s writing buying guides, producing videos or narrating Abt’s commercials on TV and radio.

In addition to helping customers find the right appliances, she’s a familiar and trusted presence across Abt’s marketing efforts.

Geoff Imhoff is a General Manager and the Furniture Buyer at Abt Electronics, where he serves as a thought leader in the ever-evolving home furnishings space. Since guiding the transformation of Abt’s furniture department in 2016, Geoff has been at the forefront of curating trend-forward collections from top brands like Flexsteel, Bernhardt, and Four Hands.

As Abt prepares to debut its newly expanded 30,000 sq. ft. showroom in 2025, Geoff continues to shape the vision—bringing in fresh product lines, expanding the team of expert sales coordinators, and setting a new standard for the furniture shopping experience.

Billy Govis is the Fleet Manager at Abt Electronics, where he oversees the company’s largest department—including a team of 350+ installers and a fleet of 170+ vehicles. A dedicated Abt team member since 2001, Billy began his career as an install helper and quickly worked his way up to a lead role in his own truck.

After 14 years in the field, he transitioned into routing and dispatch, applying his firsthand knowledge to improve delivery efficiency and customer satisfaction. Now with over two decades at Abt, Billy is a respected leader known for keeping operations running smoothly and ensuring every route is optimized to meet—and exceed—customer expectations.

Darin Taylor is Abt Electronics’ Connected Home Installation Manager with over 25 years of experience in the industry, including 19 years at Abt. Before stepping into his current leadership role, Darin spent 17 years on the road as an installer, gaining hands-on expertise in designing, integrating, and troubleshooting advanced AV systems.

A CEDIA-certified professional, as well as Crestron- and THC-certified, Darin applies his deep technical expertise to tackle complex AV challenges and ensure every installation runs smoothly. He approaches each project as a fresh problem to solve, working side-by-side with his team to share knowledge, improve processes, and ensure every customer enjoys the full potential of their AV system.

As Abt’s Executive Trainer with over 25 years of experience, Vito Colinelli has been instrumental in shaping the company’s renowned service culture. He’s trained countless installers, plumbers and carpenters, instilling in each the skills and values that define “The Abt Way.” Vito revolutionized Abt’s training program, now nationally recognized for producing knowledgeable, customer-focused professionals.

Passionate about mentorship, Vito takes pride in helping new team members grow in confidence and ability—ensuring every customer interaction reflects the care and expertise he’s known for.

Freddy Guillermo is Abt’s Custom Kitchens Trainer and a master of his craft, with more than 20 years of hands-on experience in appliance installation at Abt. A former construction professional, Freddy brings unmatched expertise in electrical work, plumbing, drywalling, painting, HVAC ductwork and tiling—skills he now passes on to the next generation of Abt installers.

Known for his high standards and dedication to customer satisfaction, he specializes in complex, high-end kitchen installations that transform client visions into reality. As a certified electrical technician, home inspector and EPA-certified professional, Freddy leads Abt’s training program for custom kitchen installations, equipping new team members with the skills and confidence to deliver excellence—one flawless install at a time.

Sarah Harris is the Buyer and Manager for Abt’s Time Boutique, where she curates a selection of luxury watches and fine jewelry that blends timeless style with the latest trends.

She began her Abt career in 2019, working her way up through multiple roles before stepping into her current position in 2022. Drawing on her background as a merchandiser, Sarah brings an eye for detail and a talent for crafting displays and assortments that resonate with customers—especially when helping them choose pieces to mark life’s milestones.

Bob Wescott is a second-generation Abt employee, longtime installer and leader of Abt’s Garage and Home Services department. With 27 years of Abt experience under his belt, Bob is known for his precision, speed and ability to solve tough installation challenges on the fly. He started on big trucks, spending nearly two decades delivering and installing major appliances across Chicagoland.

Bob eventually became a one-man install team and a go-to problem-solver, earning a reputation for his organization, efficiency and customer-first mindset. He helped launch Abt’s garage services department in 2020 and built its training program from the ground up, complete with an in-house demo unit to ensure new hires are fully prepared before heading into the field.

Guillermo Escobar is Abt Electronics’ Spanish-speaking expert and media spokesperson, with more than 20 years of experience in the electronics industry. Since joining Abt in 2020, he has excelled in multiple roles and possesses a well-rounded understanding of both customer needs and behind-the-scenes operations.

A certified home audio/video specialist, Guillermo is known for making complex technology easy to understand for any audience—from first-time buyers to corporate executives. Whether he’s problem-solving on the sales floor or speaking on camera, he combines technical expertise with a passion for helping people, making technology approachable, accessible, and exciting.