Former BMI Exec Tom Annastas Dies

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Tom Annastas, who served for 39 years as an executive at BMI, died Thursday, Aug. 13.

Tom was born on Feb. 11, 1953 in New York, NY. He eventually moved to West New York, NJ where he attended Memorial High School and met the love of his life, Alice DeGregorio. Tom graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University. After he graduated, he and Alice married in 1973.

That same year, he joined BMI as Operations Manager in Broadcast Licensing, and was promoted to Vice President, General Licensing in 1986. Two years later he became Vice President, General Licensing. He retired in 2012.

During his tenure at BMI, Annastas was responsible for several innovations in the Licensing department, including the use of direct mail and telemarketing techniques to broaden the company’s customer base. He held a Bachelor of Science degree from Farleigh Dickenson University. He served on the board of the TJ Martell Foundation, where he was active with Country in the Rockies, the Best Cellars event and Honors Gala. He also served on the boards of Vanderbilt Ingram-Cancer Center and the BMI Foundation.

He was a member of Leadership Music’s Class of 2008.

He is preceded in death by his Wife Alice, Father George, and Mother Bertha Annastas. He is survived by his two sons Thomas Annastas Jr. (Becki); Paul Annastas (Karianne); grandson Mattox Annastas; granddaughters Maia Annastas, Sophia Rose Annastas and Willow Annastas; and sister Patricia Joan Annastas Gaeta (Anthony).

A celebration of life is planned (pandemic permitting) is planned for Feb. 11, 2021. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to The American Heart Association:

In Memory of Thomas George Annastas.
American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association
PO Box 840692
Dallas, TX 75284-0692

Jessica Nicholson
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