Gender Male
Sweetwater's Founder and CEO Chuck Surack was an entrepreneur from an early age. As a child he made and sold pot holders by the hundreds and managed an extensive paper route. After he graduated from high school, his love of music led him to become a professional saxophonist and keyboard player in touring bands. In 1979, he combined that love
of music with his entrepreneurial talents and founded Sweetwater Sound as a 4-track recording studio in the back of his VW bus. Sweetwater Sound quickly grew into a leading studio in the Fort Wayne area.
Chuck also turned his technical skills to programming the K250, the revolutionary sampling keyboard from Kurzweil. He gained a national reputation for his skills, and provided custom sound design and recording studio consulting to artists such as Stevie Wonder, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Aerosmith, and many others. Working with these artists, he recognized a need for a music and pro audio retailer that was different from the standard music store. The retail division of Sweetwater arose from his dream to provide unmatched customer service and expertise — two things he found lacking in the retailers he dealt with when purchasing gear for his own studio. Under his leadership, Sweetwater has experienced explosive growth and has become one of the most respected companies in the industry, as well as the number one online retailer of music instruments and pro-audio gear in the nation.
Additionally, he owns 10 businesses, including SweetCars, Sweet Aviation, Sweet Helicopters, and Longe Optical. He is a frequent speaker and mentor on issues from entrepreneurship to quality customer service and the pursuit of excellence.
Chuck is very involved in community service and strongly believes in giving back. He currently serves on the boards of Easter Seals Arc of Northeast Indiana, the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, and Greater Fort Wayne Inc., among others. He is also a member of Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry’s kitchen cabinet. He and his wife Lisa are leading philanthropists in the Fort Wayne area, donating to more than 600 causes annually. The Association of Fundraising Professionals gave them the Outstanding Philanthropic Award in 2015.
In 2009, Chuck received the BCA 10 Award from the Business Council for the Arts, a national award recognizing support of the arts. In 2010, he received the Governor’s Arts Award from Governor Mitch Daniels. Indiana University and the University of St. Francis each presented him with a Doctorate of Humane Letters in 2012. In 2013 he was inducted into the Indiana Colleges for his lifetime achievement and contribution to the state of Indiana. In 2014, he received the Leaders of Character award from the Boy Scouts of America, and the Bel Award from Junior Achievement. In 2015, Greater Fort Wayne Inc. presented him with the Swagger Award, and the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette named him the Fort Wayne Citizen of the Year. In January of 2015, Sweetwater was featured on the cover of Mix Magazine. In 2016, Chuck was awarded the Fort Wayne Urban League Lion Award for immense community contributions. In 2017 he received the Music Inc. Magazine Retailer of the Year award and the Don Johnson Industry Service award from MMR Magazine. In 2018, Governor Holcomb awarded Chuck with the Sagamore of the Wabash, the highest honor given by the Governor, for his distinguished service to the state. Taylor University presented him with a Doctorate of Humane Letters in 2018.
Chuck is an active musician, playing saxophone and keyboards at about 70 gigs each year. He loves flying and can often be found at the helm of a helicopter. He and his wife, Lisa, have two sons and a daughter.
