Media Spokespeople

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.

Looking to further highlight the best of Abt in other ways, Carl became the host of the store's successful YouTube channel in 2015 where he offers viewers a closer look at many of the products featured in the store and online.

Additionally, Carl is Abt's resident Technologist. He often serves as a print contributor and guest star on local television shows and radio segments, where he shares gift ideas and discusses the latest in technology.

Christina Sasicki is a sales, merchandiser, and training specialist for Abt Electronics with over 17 years of experience in watch and TUMI sales. Christina began her Abt career in July of 2009, supporting the store in the jewelry, watch, and TUMI departments. Throughout her career, she has always looked for ways to better Abt and provide customers with the best possible service and information. Christina is consistently featured on Abt commercials and Abt’s Time Store YouTube. On her Instagram @abttimewatchboutique, Christina is always trying to keep pace with today's social media and showcase the variety of products offered in the watch department!

Ryan Hickey is the department and sales manager of Abt Electronics’ custom security department and is an expert on all things security-related. Ryan joined Abt eight years ago as a member of the technical support team in the custom security department and has continued to work his way upwards into the department with the goal of helping every customer accomplish their security needs with confidence and comfort.

Shirley Hood is an appliance specialist. She is the content creator for many of Abt’s Major appliance buying guides and walkthrough videos and assists with the production, staging and casting of Abt’s TV commercials. You may also recognize Shirley's voice, as she regularly narrates Abt's content videos and TV commercials.

Shirley joined Abt in 1994, bringing to the team skills she honed earlier in her career in car sales. She has enjoyed both personal and professional success ever since.

In addition to her responsibilities, Shirley takes a lead role in Abt's community service initiatives. She created the Employee Outreach Program, which collects money year-round through various employee-led contests and promotions. The money collected throughout the year is used to buy toys and essentials for the less fortunate, as well as spread holiday cheer throughout Chicagoland and its surrounding suburbs through the outreach pay-it-forward program

When Shirley is not at Abt, she enjoys spending as much time as she can with her husband and daughter. She also enjoys a great glass of wine, staging and likes to unwind by catching up with old friends.

Greg Porthan is a veteran of the electronics retail industry, with more than 20 years of experience in product sales, home integration installation, and project management. He’s been with Abt since 2005 when he started as a Custom A/V installer before transitioning to a management role in the same department. Greg is a member of the CEDIA and AVIXA trade associations, works as a board member on the education board for the Prosource Group, Snapone product advisory board, JoshAI Presidents Club, and has assisted numerous home automation manufacturers on product development. He continues to work towards finding new ways to make one of the country’s largest home audio/visual installation teams even better.

Geoff Imhof is the General Manager and Furniture Buyer for Abt Electronics in Glenview, IL. Abt has sold top-rated home appliances and electronics for over eighty years, though their mattress and furniture departments are relatively new. In 2016 Geoff oversaw the furniture department’s expansion and redesign, bringing in brands such as Flexsteel, Bernhardt, Four Hands and many more. As the buyer and merchandiser, Geoff ensures his staff has a wide variety of furniture and accessories to assist their clients in furnishing projects of any size.

Recently, Abt completed construction of a state-of-the-art distribution center designed to help increase logistical efficiency, all while boosting the size and scope of their retail space. Geoff is thrilled at the opportunity to help Abt better compete in the retail furniture segment.

When not procuring and merchandising Abt's furniture and mattress retail showroom, Geoff spends as much time as possible with his son on the golf course.

Geoff and his team of expert furniture coordinators are ready to help you tackle your next home project.

Billy Govis is the fleet manager at Abt Electronics, overseeing the retailer’s largest department. Billy was hired by Abt in 2001, joining his older brother, another Abt employee. He began his Abt career as an install helper on small trucks before becoming an install helper on big trucks. After seven years, Billy moved to an installer run. Billy continued to work as an installer for another seven years until he transitioned to routing and dispatch. Now a 21-year employee with over six years of experience as a manager, Billy is a highly-celebrated and respected staple of the Abt team. He won Employee of the Year in 2019. In his free time, he loves training in the Abt gym and playing volleyball with his fellow Abt employees. He also runs the Abt Softball team, Abt's Finest, which has won multiple Glenview Park District Championships.

Mike Abt is co-president of Abt Electronics and oversees all financial decisions. When Mike began working at Abt part-time in 1975, he championed basic environmental practices throughout the store and continues to be active in the company's broadening efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.

In the past, Mike worked extensively with the Pro Buying Group, a group of leading retailers that advances the latest technologies and customer service. Currently, Mike is serving as a board member of NATM Buying Corporation, the leading buying group in the industry.

Outside of work, Mike continues to assume leadership roles. He is also a board member of the Illinois Retail Merchant Association.

Mike is a self-proclaimed naturalist. He has volunteered at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium and has worked as a team leader for inner-city children's programs. Through his love for the earth and environment, Mike has spearheaded many green initiatives for the company. In 2020, a 30,000-square-foot on-site recycling center was built where customers can safely dispose of electronic waste and appliances.

Before joining Abt full-time, Jon worked various jobs in marketing in both the music and technology industries. He was Sponsorship Coordinator at Entertainment Marketing, Inc a company that pioneered corporate sponsorships for major music tours. His next position was a Project Manager for the Grammy Awards and the Grammy Foundation. Before returning to his family business, he was the Director of Worldwide Marketing at DTS. Since joining Abt full-time, Jon's largest contribution has been spearheading the store's involvement into e-commerce by creating Abt.com. Officially launched in 1997, Abt.com continues to be the go-to location for Abt's out-of-state customers. Becoming roughly a quarter of all of Abt's business, Jon is always looking to expand and adapt Abt.com in the world of e-commerce.

When Jon is not working hard at Abt he spends his free time with his three kids and loves snowboarding and music. He serves on the board of the For Autistic Kids Foundation.

Jon is often interviewed and looked to as an expert on nationwide retail trends, due to the fact that he has grown up in the industry. He has been quoted by numerous top-tier national publications, including the Associated Press, TWICE and Forbes.