News & Publications
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sep. 12, 2007
MARIA ECKHARDT, SHEREME SIEWNARINE AND DAWN FISHER JOIN CMA
NASHVILLE – CMA announced three additions to its staff today.
Communications Department
Industry veteran Maria Eckhardt has joined CMA as Manager of Media Relations. In this role Eckhardt will manage media relations for CMA and CMA events, including CMA Music Festival and CMA Awards, working closely with the ABC affiliates and putting a media spotlight on the organization’s relationship with its sponsor partners. She will report directly to Scott Stem, CMA Director of Media Relations.
“Maria has worked in nearly every facet of the industry, earning the experience and building the skills that make her an invaluable addition to our Communications Department,” said Wendy Pearl, CMA Vice President of Communications.
Prior to temping at CMA during the 2007 CMA Music Festival, Eckhardt served as the Director of Tour Marketing and Special Projects from 2004-2006 for rpm management where she was responsible for marketing the tour dates for Tim McGraw (including the 2006 leg of the McGraw/Faith Hill Soul2Soul II Tour). She also served as the day-to-day management representative for Brice Long, where she approved tour dates, secured sponsors, handled tour publicity and more. From 1999 to 2003, she worked as a Management Associate for FORCE, Inc., where she was responsible for the marketing and publicity of Trisha Yearwood’s tour dates as well as day-to-day scheduling and activities for both Yearwood and Alan Jackson.
Eckhardt served as a Management Associate for GB Management from 1995 to 1998, responsible for all communications with radio stations and Capitol Records promotion department regarding Garth Brooks’ final tour. During this time she also worked as part of the publicity team for the “Garth in Central Park” live television broadcast on HBO, as well as two additional television specials featuring Brooks for NBC. Prior to that, she served as a Promotion Coordinator at River North Nashville (1994-1995) and Mercury Nashville (1990-1994). From 1987 to 1989, Eckhardt was a publicist with Pam Lewis & Associates. She has a BBA from Belmont University.
Dawn Fisher joins CMA beginning Sept. 25 as Communications Coordinator. In this role, Fisher will oversee the media logistics of CMA events, including CMA Music Festival and CMA Awards while also serving in an administrative capacity in the Communications Department. She will report directly to Stem.
“Dawn was one of our most effective and memorable interns during the last five years, and I know she will be a valuable addition to our department,” said Stem.
Fisher was most recently the Payment Processor for Bank Director Magazine and a Retail Associate with the Grand Ole Opry after graduating Belmont University with a BBA in Aug. 2006. Prior to that, she served as the Assistant Box Office Manager for the Ole Smoky Hoedown in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. from 2001-2005 where she had several management and marketing responsibilities as well as operating the lighting and sound.
While at Belmont, Fisher served as an intern in the CMA Communications Department in 2005. The next year she served internships with Capitol Records Nashville in the Publicity Department and Universal South Records in the Management Department. She also volunteered as Assistant to the Talent Coordinator at the 2005 and 2006 Rhythm in the Hills Music Festival in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Finance and Administration Department
Shereme Siewnarine has joined CMA as Manager of Financial Services. In this role, she will assist in all aspects of accounting for CMA. She will also supervise the annual operating budget process and serve as liaison for the annual external audit. She will report to Amy Smartt, CMA Senior Director of Finance and Administration.
“Shereme has 12 years of experience in accounting, including budgeting, accounts payable, auditing and reconciliation of accounts,” said Smartt. “The Finance and Administration team is fortunate to have someone with her experience and abilities joining our staff. I am excited that Shereme will be working with us and believe she will be a real asset to CMA.”
Born in Trinidad and equipped with an Accounting degree from Volunteer State Community College, Siewnarine has lived in Nashville since 2000, when she accepted an administrative position at the Gaylord Opryland Culinary Institute. Six months later she was appointed to manage administrative functions in the Operations Department of the Grand Ole Opry, with responsibilities that ranged from special events planning and overseeing staff to editing a monthly publication, The Backstage Bulletin. Her responsibilities also included serving as liaison with CMA in preparing daily schedules for three CMA Awards held at the Opry House.
Siewnarine devotes much of her time away from CMA to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. For three years she has served as treasurer of the organization’s Nashville affiliate and sits as well on the chapter’s board of directors.
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