At the meeting of the Country Music Association Board of Directors this week in Phoenix, Ariz., Troy Tomlinson was named President of the Board and Ed Hardy was named President-Elect. The appointments begin immediately.
Chairman of the CMA Board Gary Overton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Nashville, made the announcement at the first quarterly gathering of the Board. Tomlinson, who is President and CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing moved from President Elect to the open President's position. Hardy, President of GAC, was named President-Elect. Jessie Schmidt, President of Schmidt Relations, remains Secretary/Treasurer for a second year.
"I am very excited about working with our new CMA Board President Troy Tomlinson and President-Elect Ed Hardy," Overton said. "Both Troy and Ed are highly successful and honorable leaders in the Country Music industry. Further, they have already shown themselves as leaders with insight and wisdom while serving on the CMA Board and its various committees."
"Given the ambitious vision of the CMA, I am honored to be serving alongside strong executives like Gary, Ed, and Jessie," Tomlinson added. "The fact that we are all friends makes it even more exciting."
"I couldn't be more proud and deeply honored to be invited to serve as President-Elect of the CMA Board," Hardy said. "I've known and worked with Gary, Troy, and Jessie either in business or on the CMA Board for the past six years and greatly respect them and look forward to serving with them in a leadership role. This is a very exciting time for the CMA and the Country Music industry and it's great to be able have a role in taking it to the next level of success."