Operation Song Expands Board Of Directors

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Operation Song, the non-profit pairing accomplished Nashville songwriters with the military community to help them tell their stories through song, has added several leaders to its Board to help grow the charity’s reach.

The Operation Song Board of Directors has expanded to include Mike Sistad, Storme Warren, Jeff Mefford, and Joe Forte. 

“For the past decade, we have empowered veterans, active-duty military and their families to tell their stories and to express themselves through the process of songwriting. We have produced more than 1,000 songs, and there are many more stories to be told. Our Board members have strong ties to Music City and the U.S. military and all share our vision of helping the brave men and women who serve our country to be heard and to heal,” shares Bob Regan, songwriter and founder of Operation Song.

In January, the Board also elected Bob Leonard as President of the Board. A U.S. Navy Desert Storm Veteran and a 20-year healthcare executive, clinician, and entrepreneur, Leonard’s skill set includes management, startups, strategy, marketing, and business development.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mike, Storme, Jeff and Joe as Board members,” says Leonard. “They bring a wealth of relevant knowledge and expertise to advance the mission of Operation Song. Given their track records and enthusiasm, I’m excited for them to help guide Operation Song into the future.”

Sistad, who serves as Vice President of ASCAP, is a longtime ASCAP executive and songwriter advocate who has signed top talent, including Chris Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini, Old Dominion, and Carly Pearce.

Warren is a TV and radio broadcaster best known as the host of the Storme Warren Morning Show on Sirius XM’s The Highway.

Mefford serves as CFO for the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. Prior to that role, he was the CFO for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and assisted with launching the Nashville Downtown Partnership, Nashville Sports Council, Nashville Healthcare Council and the Music City Bowl.

Forte is a technology Director with VMware and has been consulting for the US Department of Defense and state/local governments for more than 25 years. During his career, he worked closely with the U.S. military including several assignments in the Middle East and Afghanistan. He has also been a musician and songwriter for 30 years.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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