Our Staff
Like you, our team is obsessed with guitars and gear. We are a tight-knit group of musicians and music lovers drawn to the higher calling of helping you find your next guitar. Learn a bit more about us, our bands, and our interests below. If you have questions on anything, contact us and we'd be happy to help out. Give us a call toll-free: (516) 626-9292
Tommy Colletti
Owner & President
Tommy Colletti is a native New Yorker who grew up during the rock and roll heyday of the 1970s and '80s. As anyone who has heard Tommy plug into an amp will tell you, he has done his homework on the guitar and is a bona fide player. Learn More About Tommy Colletti
Favorite Gear: 3 Pickup Les Paul Customs, Vintage Charvels, Dakota Red Fenders, Anything Rhoads or EVH
Pete Gerontakos
Operations & Digital Marketing
In ecommerce for nearly 2 decades, Pete oversees almost all aspects of The Music Zoo including Social Media Marketing, Inventory & Sales Channel Management, Giveaways & Promotions, Artist/Vendor Relations, and more! In his spare time you can find Pete travelling the country for bands that charge way too much for a poster, browsing local record shops, or pretending to coach the New York Islanders with his arms crossed while watching.
Favorite Gear: Black Les Pauls, Peavey T40 Basses, 1980s Ibanez Guitars
Associated Acts: Divider
Jordan Usatch
E-Commerce Director & Marketing Manager
Jordan is a Queens native & longstanding Music Zoo staff member who has worked at all three locations & just about every department - he's in charge of daily website and marketing operations. Despite his growing age, he still brings big amps to gigs around NYC.
Favorite Gear: Dunable Guitars, Marshall JCM800s (50w or bust)
Associated Acts: Husbandry
Jessica Koves
Guitar Sales Manager
Jess has been slinging gear professionally for two decades, and brought her skills to the Zoo in 2009! Jess is our Sales Manager and also behind lots of Custom Shop builds...she might also hold the world record for 'Most Les Pauls Sold'. She's a horror movie junkie and loves all kinds of music from ABBA to ZZ Top.
Favorite Gear: SGs, Juniors, Super Strats, Marshalls, Ouija Boards
Associated Acts: DRELLA, My So Called Band
Rose Reina
Guitar Sales
From the vibrant streets of Queens, NY, Rose Reina has been with The Music Zoo since 2013. She's a product of the golden era of '90s alt rock, but maintains a deep-rooted love for diverse music genres and styles. Rose is in a constant state of gear acquisition syndrome - her love for gear knows absolutely no chill!
Favorite Gear: Gibson Guitars, Explorers, Les Pauls, Orange, Friedman, Marshall, Collects Vintage DOD Chorus, Phase and Flange Pedals
Associated Acts: DRELLA, My So Called Band
Eric Donovan
Guitar Sales/Purchasing
Eric is a music lover and rare guitar chaser. When he isn't buying or selling them, he spends most of his time recording & writing music with different instruments. He has filled just about every role in local rock bands over the past 15 years & has developed an eclectic taste in art & gear.
Favorite Gear: Obscure/bizarre vintage guitars, Fender Telecasters, Gibson ES-335s, Vox AC30s
Rick Devita
Guitar Sales
Guitar runs in Rick's family, playing for 20+ years and working in musical instruments for the last 10, Rick is always happy to help someone choose their new guitar, or to play one himself. Equally at home listening to Charlie Parker or Van Halen, he plays guitar in a few bands and fills in on various instruments whenever needed.
Favorite Gear: Gibsons, Teles, Fancy Superstrats
Associated Acts: Psycho Hill
Sean Wilson
Guitar Technician
Sean is our tech wizard who loves anything to do with gear from playing to fixing it. He also has a gigantic chain and loves Hayley Williams more than anyone on the planet.
Favorite Gear: Fender Mustangs, Gibson Explorers, Warmoth Builds
James Abbatello
Controller
James can't play the guitar but he can certainly do our accounting. He's a numbers wizard. You can find him listening to the loudest electronic music you've ever in your life heard at 9am daily.
Favorite Gear: Calculators, Excedrin
Nick Phaneuf
Marketing, Promotional Photo/Videographer
On all sides of the lens since birth, Nick developed a passion for acting, video, and photo production at a young age. He began making short films and productions with his friends at 13 years old. On his free time you can catch him jamming with friends, taking photos, filming improv sketches, and playing video games.
Favorite Gear: Fender Offsets, Suhr, Music Man Guitars, Strandberg, PRS, Mesa Boogies, Hughes & Kettner, and Victory Amps
Associated Acts: SIMM
Rick Nardo
Shipping & Receiving Manager
After graduating from SUNY Oneonta in 2016, Rick joined the Zoo team. It was a slow burn at first, but we realized he's a genius and manages all aspects of our shipping and receiving operations. It's rare that you'll catch him playing guitar on camera so when you do, cherish the moment. Some of his musical influences include Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, The Dirty Heads and the Grateful Dead.
Favorite Gear: Gibson SGs, Fender Amps
SIMMScott Sepe
Shipping & Receiving
South shore menace Scott Sepe was born and raised on Long Island. After picking up a guitar at the age of 12, he began his journey through the soul crushing scenes of the tri-state area. He is continually inspired by the reverberated sounds of old school rock n' roll and his big blue Gretsch.
Favorite Gear: Gibson SGs, Fender Amps
Liam Kinsella
Shipping & Receiving
Liam is part of our shipping and receiving team. We're constantly in awe of those cheekbones. Hey handsome.
Favorite Gear: Powers Electrics, Fender Blues Juniors
Associated Acts: Bad Guise
Penny
Shop Mascot
Penny is the real star of our social media content. She can be found running through the office, napping in the middle of the floor and being the sweetest dog in the world.
Favorite Gear: Treats, belly rubs