Published: April 09, 2008 11:31 pm      

Hartley and Mary Peavey named Distinguished Entrepreneurs at USM

The University of Southern Mississippi plans to honor Hartley and Mary Peavey, the driving forces behind Meridian-based musical-equipment innovator Peavey Electronics Corporation, with its Distinguished Entrepreneurs of the Year Award at the Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg.

The Peaveys are the first recipients to share the annual USM College of Business award, and Mary Peavey is the first woman to receive the honor.

Alvin Williams, interim Dean and Professor of Marketing, said the USM College of Business is pleased to recognize the exemplary accomplishments of Hartley and Mary Peavey in revolutionizing the sound industry around the globe. “Their commitment to 'listening to the customer' and following their dreams has led to new ideas, new products and exciting new markets worldwide. They embody the spirit and soul of what we teach our entrepreneurship students."

Hartley Peavey founded Peavey Electronics Corporation in 1965 using the attic space above his father’s Meridian music store as his first base of operations. Now housed in 27 facilities across the United States and the United Kingdom, Hartley Peavey has grown his one-man company into one of the world's largest manufacturers of musical instruments and professional sound equipment.

Prior to taking the reins as company president, Mary Peavey led an illustrious career in commercial real estate, during which she founded and managed her own company. She currently serves on the board of directors for the national Afterschool Alliance.