Founded in 2003, Moon Audio began as a humble home-based endeavor before blossoming into a full-fledged enterprise. A pivotal decision occurred in 2010, when Drew and Nichole fully committed to their venture, marking a newfound determination to share their Dragon Cables with the world.
Today, nestled within 8,000 square feet of office space in Cary, North Carolina, Moon Audio thrives with a vibrant team united by their love for music and high-quality audio gear. From skilled engineers to fervent audiophiles, each member shares Drew's unwavering dedication to crafting top-tier audio cables and equipment.
On this page, you'll encounter the faces and stories of these remarkable individuals who bring Moon Audio's vision to life, ensuring that every customer experience is infused with passion, expertise, and a commitment to excellence. Welcome to the heart of Moon Audio, where innovation meets dedication, and where our team stands as the driving force behind every Dragon Cable, every product, and every sonic journey.
Leadership
Drew Baird, P.E.
Chief Executive Officer
A New York City native, Drew grew up in Manhattan exposed to numerous musical movements at a time when music was new, fresh, and dare we say, "good." He discovered his passion for modifying high-end audio equipment during his years spent as a DJ in high school and college. Drew went to Penn State University where he earned his engineering degree, and began working as a civil engineer to pay off his student loans. Drew and Nichole were married in 1999 and shortly thereafter Drew wanted to set up his first home theater.
When it came to high-end audio, Drew had $1,000 cable taste but no budget to match. So, like any engineer would, he went to work using DIY audio parts to make his own. He ended up making more than he needed, sold the rest within days on Ebay, and the idea for Dragon Cables was born.
While Drew worked his engineering job during the day, he spent his nights and weekends making newly branded "Silver Dragon Cable" orders. He quickly realized that manufacturers did not put the same R&D and attention to quality and detail in their cables as they do for their main products. This heavily influenced Drew's philosophy that high-end cables didn't have to cost thousands of dollars, and that he could offer a high-end product without the high-end prices. Slowly and surely, Dragon Cables started making a name for themselves.
As the Dragon Cable awards started coming in, Drew and Nichole started developing the Moon Audio business. Increasing inventory, expanding the customer base, growing the business, Moon Audio became more than just a job–it was a mission to help people rediscover their music and fall in love with it all over again. Now, Moon Audio does business all around the world, providing personalized help for music lovers everywhere.
When Drew's not in the office you can find him rooting for Penn State's football team and being a regular outdoorsman: fishing, hiking, and more. He loves working on his International Scout, attending concerts, and spending time with his wife Nichole, three children, and Bella the Moon Audio canine companion.
Favorite Headphone, Cable, Source
Nichole Baird
Chief Marketing Officer
Nichole grew up in Southern Virginia and graduated from George Mason University with a degree in International Relations. With a background in Advertising and Marketing before starting Moon Audio, Nichole understands Branding, Sales and Customer Service.
Since 2001, she has been supporting Drew's "genius in the basement" ideas by focusing on answering and supporting our customers' needs and questions. Nichole uses her marketing expertise and industry knowledge to spearhead the discovery and penetration of Moon Audio's content creation through written expert advice and videos on the website and YouTube.
Her focus is to discover new communities to expand Drew's engineering perspective and keen understanding of the synergy of audio technology he embodies to the masses. Nichole's driving force is to support and expand the Dragon Cables brand and the boutique brands Moon Audio represents and ships all over the world.
Favorite Headphone, Cable, Source
Operations
Darrell Shotwell
Lead Electrical Engineer, Operations Manager
Darrell leads the Audio Cable Production Crew of our award-winning Dragon Audio Cables. He takes the lead role in the day-to-day organization of Moon Audio's Logistics Team.
After receiving his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from NC State University, Darrell joined Moon Audio in 2011 as our first Electrical Engineer. Since then, he's played an integral role in building the Dragon Audio Cable brand all over the world, and his passion for quality assurance is vital to our success.
His dedication to delivering the best customer experience and pride of ownership of the end product are his daily drivers. When he's not perfecting audio cables, Darrell channels his creative energy into playing guitar, architecture, and multidisciplinary designing. His diverse musical palette spans Metal, Rock, Blues, Jazz, and EDM.
Favorite Headphone, Cable, Source
Chuck Rhew
Audio Cable Technician
Part-time musician and full-time audiophile, Chuck works as an Audio Cable Technician handcrafting Dragon Audio Cables. His experience as a performer and technician gives him unique insight into what musicians and audiophiles demand from their gear.
Chuck's knowledge of analog and digital audio cables allows him to approach every Dragon Audio Cable build with a high level of precision and attention to detail. His unwavering commitment to pristine audio solutions makes him a skilled artisan serving music lovers worldwide.
When Chuck’s not handcrafting Dragon Audio Cables, you can find him on stage with his bands performing across North Carolina and beyond. The first person to share new artists and songs with the office, Chuck embodies Moon Audio’s passion for music and exceptional sound.
Favorite Headphone, Cable, Source
Joe Gonzales
Logistics Manager
Behind every flawlessly packed Moon Audio Order is Joe, the Logistics Manager of our operations and sales division.
Responsible for Moon Audio shipments, Joe meticulously packages every purchase with care, guaranteeing its safe and timely delivery to your doorstep. Joe's attention to detail and get-it-done attitude keep the logistics department running smoothly, even during the busiest seasons.
When he's not juggling orders and handling shipments, Joe spends his free time practicing dad jokes and sprucing up his Pokemon strategy. His eclectic playlist, featuring everything from Toro Y Moi to Ayano Kaneko, provides the soundtrack to Moon Audio's shipping department.
Favorite Headphone, Cable, Source
Daniel Freedle
Audio Cable Technician
Daniel serves as an Audio Cable Technician on our operation and sales team, handcrafting Dragon Audio Cables for every setup. Tackling a range of Dragon Audio Cable orders on any given day, Daniel works skillfully and diligently to provide customers with an expertly crafted cable solution for their favorite gear.
Daniel brings his mechanical experience to the team with a background in electronics programming and cable management solutions. His detail-oriented approach and technical skillset shine bright as he crafts each Dragon Audio Cable to meet the highest standards of audio performance.
In his free time, Daniel immerses himself in electronics, building and modifying computer hardware. His music preferences lean toward indie and alternative rock, with bands like Part Time and The Garden in heavy rotation.
Favorite Headphone, Cable, Source
Sales
Jose Gomez
Customer Support Specialist
As Moon Audio's Customer Support Specialist, Jose leverages his extensive audiophile background to provide expert guidance. With his own two-channel system, tricked-out home theater, and a fully-equipped desktop system at home, Jose knows the ins and outs of building a dream audiophile setup.
His experience with two-channel systems goes back over 40 years, having configured and tweaked many setups since he was a teenager. With knowledge of top products from brands like Bricasti and Pass Labs, Jose delivers on Moon Audio's promise to connect you to your music through quality audio cable recommendations and trusted expert advice.
Between golf rounds and college football games, you'll find him in his home theater, where he's created an audiophile sanctuary that rivals professional listening rooms. When he is listening to headphones, chances are it's classic rock, light jazz, or Fleetwood Mac.
Favorite Headphone, Cable, Source
Matt Jones
Customer Success Support Associate
If you reach out to Moon Audio's customer service, you’ll likely speak with Matt. As a diehard audiophile himself, Matt provides customers with valuable information on top products, hi-fi brands, and Dragon Audio Cables. His gift for building lasting relationships transforms routine inquiries into meaningful conversations about audio passion.
Drawing from 27 years in customer service, Matt delivers an exceptional concierge experience. He approaches each interaction with the enthusiasm of someone sharing their favorite hobby, whether he's troubleshooting a streamer or discussing the latest DAP release. He's always the first to follow up a call with a friendly email and greet in-person customers with a warm smile, embodying Moon Audio's highly personalized approach to service.
When Matt’s not answering customer inquiries, chances are you’ll find him tinkering with his audiophile setup, trading in gear, and testing out new DAPs and IEMs. Matt loves all things horror, is a Pearl Jam junkie and a Phish snob, and appreciates some R&R with his Shepard mix and doodle fur babies.
Favorite Headphone, Cable, Source
Marketing
Ross Weathersbee
Director, Video Operations & Strategy
As the creative force behind the camera and our Director of Video Operations, Ross transforms ideas into compelling visual narratives that bring Moon Audio's story to life.
Ross is the maestro of our YouTube realm, crafting videos that engage hi-fi enthusiasts worldwide. With a background in teaching and Video Production, he combines technical expertise with a passion for storytelling to elevate the Moon Audio brand.
His favorite music artists include Bruce Springsteen, Vulfpeck, Snarky Puppy, Tame Impala, and George Winston. When he's not directing video productions, you'll find him chasing trains like a true railfan or conquering roller coasters with infectious enthusiasm.
Favorite Headphone, Cable, Source
Cayla Menges
High Fidelity Journalist & Copywriter
Cayla assumes the role of an on-screen YouTube personality, an honest reviewer, and an insightful blogger for Moon Audio. As someone with a love for music from an early age, it was only natural that Cayla found herself immersed in the world of hi-fi audio, slowly rediscovering her favorite songs one headphone at a time.
With a background in journalism and a strong passion for storytelling, Cayla creates engaging, authoritative, and trustworthy content for readers. Her positive spirit and way with words adds an inquisitive point of view to Moon Audio's overall brand on video and within our written content.
If you catch Cayla in the middle of testing and reviewing products, chances are she's listening to Hip-Hop, EDM, Pop, and anything by Tame Impala. When she isn’t at Moon Audio, she enjoys expressing her creativity through DIY projects and crafts.
Favorite Headphone, Cable, Source
Devon James
UI/UX Visual Designer
With a keen eye for design and attention to detail, Devon is our UI/UX Visual Designer. One of the forces behind Moon Audio's website, Devon crafts intuitive and visually appealing landing pages, builds and updates product pages, and brings order to the copy and images created by our marketing team.
His design philosophy emphasizes clean aesthetics and intuitive navigation with iconography and pixel-perfect UIs. Devon's user-centric approach to design enables him to create memorable, engaging content that drives user satisfaction and business success.
Always whipping up a mouthwatering meal in the break room and trying his hand at a new sport and outdoor activity, Devon embodies the true spirit of a creative.His musical preferences span Alternative, R&B, Soul, and Pop genres.
