Mike Dreese

Mike Dreese, Chief Executive Officer of Newbury Comics, Inc., co-founded the company in 1978 with his M.I.T. roommate, John Brusger, President of the company. Dreese's business expertise lies in marketing and computer systems.

The original Newbury Comics store, a converted studio apartment, was located in Boston's trendy Back Bay area. As an early specialist in the burgeoning "new wave/punk" music scene, the chain grew rapidly in the 80's, twice being named to Inc. magazine's "Inc. 500" of the 500 fastest growing private companies in America. Dreese also co-founded Modern Method Records and Boston Rock magazine in the early 80's, and more recently, Black Wolf Records.

Newbury Comics now operates 25 stores throughout Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Maine. The company dominates out-of-the-box sales for alternative music in New England as well as selling a wide variety of titles across all music genres. (In 2002, Newbury Comics sold 3,000,000 CD's) The chain also sells a large selection of trend and pop-culture merchandise including action figures, housewares, trading cards, plush, toys, t-shirts, Dr. Marten shoes & boots, posters, jewelry, cosmetics, books, magazines, and other miscellaneous items.

Newbury Comics employs 400+ people. The company's sales have risen from $22.6 million at fiscal year end '94 to $80 million at fiscal year end '02, an increase of approximately 250%.

In 1995, Dreese launched Newbury Comics' Internet division - Newbury Comics Interactive (www.newbury.com), one of the first music.com websites, as well as in-house record label Wicked Disc. In 1999, a 1-to-1 E-Mail Marketing Program (Newbury Comics E-Mail Club) was launched via the website to enable open communication and information flow between Newbury Comics and its customers. In October of 2003, Newbury Comics re-designed and re-launched its Internet site as www.newburycomics.com, and also launched a wholesale site and division named Toothface Distribution at www.toothface.com. Additionally, in October 2003, Newbury Comics became the primary distributor of Clear Channel Entertainmentís (CCE) "Instant Live" series of CD's.

In 2002, the National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) named Newbury Comics "Retailer of the Year/Mid-Size Category". In 1999, Newbury Comics was also awarded "Retailer of the Year/Large-Size Category" by NARM. Overall, Newbury Comics has been named "Retailer of the Year" by NARM four times.

Dreese was recently elected to, and is now serving on the Board of NARM. He is also a Trustee of the Berklee College of Music and until last year, served for 10 years on the Board of the Boston Institute for Arts Therapy (BIAT). He has been a core financial supporter of both Berklee and BIAT institutions.

Mike has also competed in the World Series of Poker and is an avid winter mountaineer.