Memphis Record Pressing
Les Edwards has a diverse work experience spanning several industries and roles. Les is currently working as the Chief Financial Officer at Memphis Record Pressing since 2022. Previously, they held the position of Contract CFO at Court Avenue Consulting since 1992. Les also served as the Treasurer (Volunteer) at Indie Memphis Film Festival from 2000 to 2017. Les was the Chief Administrative Officer at Memphis Zoo from 1996 to 1999. Additionally, Les worked as the CFO at Global Therapeutics, Inc. from 1992 to 1994 and as the CFO and VP of Operations at Danek Medical, Inc. from 1987 to 1992.
Les Edwards holds a degree in Accounting from Arkansas State University. Their education timeline does not provide specific start and end years for their time at the university. In addition to their degree, they also obtained a certification as a Certified Public Accountant from the State of Tennessee in May 1979.
Memphis Record Pressing
Founded in 2014, Memphis Record Pressing (MRP) was originally a collaboration between Brandon Seavers & Mark Yoshida of Audiographic Masterworks (‘AGMW’, est. 1997) and Matthew Johnson & Bruce Watson of Fat Possum Records (‘FP’, est. 1992.) Having spent the better part of 15 years working together for CD manufacturing and related businesses, AGMW and FP teamed up to fill a much-needed gap in the resurging world of vinyl manufacturing. After acquiring a recently-defunct pressing plant in New Jersey (EKS,) MRP worked feverishly to build out the complicated but necessary infrastructure required to power vinyl production, while simultaneously scouring the nation in search of those with the knowledge to bring the aged machines back to life. All of the pieces fell into place in January of 2015, when MRP officially opened to the public. In June 2016, MRP joined forces with GZ Media (GZ) from the Czech Republic, the largest manufacturer of vinyl records in the world. This partnership, along with the increased global attention on the vinyl resurgence, combined with the appetite of the major record labels to capitalize on vinyl’s new-found glory, has fueled MRP’s growth into a global leader in vinyl LP production. MRP has been in a constant state of expansion, growing from 15 employees in 2015 to over 100 employees in 2019, and has increased vinyl production from just under 1 million LPs in 2015 to an anticipated 4 million units in 2019. MRP's goal is to make the highest quality record, with the fastest turn-arounds in the industry, backed by the best customer service around. Memphis Record Pressing is proud of it's Memphis heritage, and is dedicated to keeping all things vinyl alive and spinning for many years to come.