Hellbender Vinyl Employee Spotlight - Pam Pilipovich
Name: Pam
Position: Project Manager / Press Operator
What does your day to day look like? Primarily project management (managing projects start to finish while guiding our artists/labels through the vinyl making process) and press operating (smushing plastic into records). But also assembly, QC, packaging, and lots of other stuff.
How did you get into vinyl record production? Wanted a more fulfilling day job that aligned more with my music degrees. Saw an ad for Hellbender. Took the shot and now I'm here.
Do you have a favorite record you own? What is it? Gary Clark Jr. Live
What are your current top 3 favorite musicians/bands? Ghost Funk Orchestra, El Michels Affair, Noga Erez
What's the best live music performance you've ever seen? Punch Brothers at Mr. Smalls main stage
What was your first concert experience like? I grew up going to see the Pittsburgh Symphony and River City Brass Band. I think that was really foundational for me and my life now in music.
Pam’s expertise on the press floor is nothing short of legendary. In addition to operating and maintaining our heavyweight presses, she recently pioneered a “quality first” mentoring program—teaching new hires how to listen for subtle imperfections and adjust pressure, temperature, or dwell time on the fly. Her approach has noticeably reduced defects and elevated our output consistency.
Beyond technique, Pam brings creativity and care to every record she touches. She regularly collaborates with mastering engineers to understand artistic intent, ensuring color blends and vinyl weight accurately reflect the tone of each release. Whether it’s a vibrant picture disc or a special-variant pressing, her attention to detail shines.
Her passion spills into team culture as well—organizing casual “spin sessions” where operators demo new vinyl samples and share feedback. This collaborative vibe fosters pride, learning, and a shared love for the craft. Pam’s leadership, skill, and enthusiasm are integral to Hellbender’s mission. We’re thrilled to have her guiding our presses and shaping our culture!
