Diane Pearson To Serve Second Term As President Of Leadership Music Board

Diane Pearson (center) received the ceremonial Leadership Music President’s Cup as incoming President of the organization. Jimmy Wheeler (right) is immediate Past President and David Kells (left) is President-Elect.

Diane Pearson, Senior Vice President of City National Bank, has been elected to lead the Leadership Music board into its fourth decade. Pearson is a member of the Leadership Music Class of 2007.

“I have been involved with this prestigious organization since graduating in 2007,” said Pearson. “To be named President for a second term is beyond gratifying. I am truly honored to be among this esteemed Board of Directors, amazing Executive Director and incredible staff.”

Officers joining Pearson are President-Elect David Kells, Bridgestone Arena/Nashville Predators; Past President Jimmy Wheeler, Provident Label Group; Secretary Jeff Gregg, Creative Artist Agency; and BMLG’s Andrew Kautz, Treasurer.

Leadership Music has also appointed five new board members: David Boyer, FBMM; Debbie Carroll, MusiCares; Mitch Glazier, RIAA; Lisa Purcell, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum; and Matt Signore, WMG.

Leadership Music has also promoted staff member Josh Sumrall to Finance Manager.

“I’m very proud to announce Josh’s promotion,” said LM Executive Director Debbie Linn. “His financial skills and dedication are only a fraction of the many talents that make him a star on the LM team. Leadership Music has benefitted greatly from his continuous drive to streamline internal procedures and put systems in place that improve the day-to-day operations of the organization and the annual program. We are incredibly fortunate to have him.”

“I’m excited to continue to work with Josh and our new Board of Directors in the year ahead,” she continued. “Over the past 30 years, Leadership Music has been so successful in part thanks to the leadership of the dedicated alums serving on our boards. The 2020 board continues that tradition with 29 committed alums who are focused on the road ahead and poised to take Leadership Music into the future.”

The Leadership Music Board:

Linda Bloss-Baum, Senior Director, Artist & Industry Relations, SoundExchange
David Boyer, Vice President, FBMM
Debbie Carroll, Vice President, Health & Human Services, MusicCares
Ron Cox, Executive VP/Director, Music, Arts & Entertainment Division, Studio Bank
Marghie Evans, Managing Partner, Do Write Music
EJ Gaines, Co-Executive Director, Motown Gospel/Vice President, Marketing/Capitol CMG
Joe Galante, Chairman, Galante Entertainment Organization
Mitch Glazier, CEO, RIAA
Jeff Gregg, Agent, Creative Artist Agency
Kelli Haywood, Artist Manager
BJ Hill, Vice President, A&R, Warner Chappell Music
Andrew Kautz, COO, Big Machine Label Group
David Kells, Senior VP, Booking, Bridgestone Arena/Nashville Predators
Jerry Kimbrough, Musician
Chandra LaPlume, VP/Partner, Taillight TV
Justin Levenson, Founder, Lev’s House Entertainment
Erick Long, Senior VP, Operations & Events, Academy of Country Music
Heather McBee, VP, Operations, Nashville Entrepreneur Center
Diane Pearson, Senior VP, Entertainment, City National Bank
Dave Pomeroy, President, AFM Local 257
Lisa Purcell, Vice President, Development, Education & Community Outreach, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Matt Signore, COO, Warner Music Group
Neal Spielberg, President, Spielberg Entertainment
John Strohm, President, Rounder Records
Jimmy Wheeler, VP, Sales & Distribution, Provident Label Group/Sony Music Nashville
Rachel Whitney, Global Country Music Programmer, YouTube and Google Play
Stacy Widelitz, Songwriter, Stacy Widelitz Music
Bret Wolcott, Freelance TV Producer
Erika Wollam-Nichols, President/GM, Bluebird Café

Will Cheek of Waller Law and Lynn Morrow of Adams & Reese serve as legal counsel.

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Lorie Hollabaugh

Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at [email protected].

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