BREAKING: Warner Music Nashville Promotes Five, Names Danny Bess CFO
Warner Music Nashville announced the promotion of five employees across the Finance, Radio & Streaming and Publicity departments today (Jan. 13).
After more than two years with the company, VP Finance Danny Bess has been promoted to CFO. He will continue reporting to EVP / GM Ben Kline. Brad Walker has also been promoted from Director to Sr. Director, Finance.
Bess transitioned over to Warner Music Nashville after nearly 25 years at Universal Music Group, concluding his tenure as VP Finance of its Nashville division. A Vanderbilt University graduate with an M.B.A. from Tulane, Bess began his career at Sony BMG in 1989. Walker, an alumnus of Western Kentucky University, started in financial services before entering the music industry at Sony/ATV. He has now been at WMN for 14 years.
“Danny is one of the most respected label finance people in this industry,” Kline said. “His experience in and knowledge of our evolving business is critical to our success, and I’m thrilled that he will assume this new role. Both Danny and I are incredibly proud to recognize the dedication we’ve seen in Brad Walker. Brad’s understanding of and adaptation to the changing marketplace is part of what makes him such a valuable member of the finance team.”
Jenni Tay has been upped from Manager to Director, Streaming under VP Streaming Tim Foisset. Tay began her streaming career between San Francisco and Los Angeles before settling in Nashville in 2018. She has worked on launch projects in the indie space for companies like Ingrooves and The Orchard as well as major labels such as Universal Music Group.
“Jenni is a vital, accomplished part of our streaming team,” Foisset said. “She is a true partner to those she works with in this industry: enthusiastic and innovative, supportive and nurturing, capable and decisive. Her relationships yield measurable, impressive results for our artists and we are a stronger label for it. We’re eager to see her role and influence grow.”
Mary Catherine Rebrovick and Victoria Chaitoff rise in the Publicity department, led by SVP Wes Vause, to Sr. Director and Director respectively. Rebrovick joined the WMN team as an assistant upon graduating from Middle Tennessee State University in 2012, as did Chaitoff in 2015 after earning her degree in English from the College of William and Mary.
“Mary Catherine and Victoria both started their work careers with WMN, and since day one they’ve worked tirelessly to help our artists make their dreams come true. They have become respected leaders in the publicity field and beyond, and I could not be prouder to work alongside them!” Vause said.
