At the behest of Ray DeMarini, Founder of DeMarini Sports, John established Media Cabin in 1995. Leveraging DeMarini’s passion for the game, Heitkemper transformed DeMarini into the “King of Softball,” with coverage in People Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, Esquire, Men’s Journal, ESPN, CNBC, CNN and the FOX News Network. In five short years, John helped DeMarini Sports grow from $500,000 in annual sales to nearly $20 million, positioning the company for a friendly buyout from Wilson Sporting Goods. Wilson then hired Media Cabin to handle its advertising and public relations.

A professed early bird and night owl, John spends most of his time at the Cabin dreaming up ways to help his clients. When he’s not working, Heitkemper can be found playing with his two kids, watching the Oregon Ducks or enjoying the great outdoors.