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Amy Smartt To Retire From CMA

April 7, 2025/by LB Cantrell

Amy Smartt

After nearly two decades of service, the Country Music Association’s Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration, Amy Smartt, has announced she is retiring. Her last day will be Wednesday (April 9).

Throughout her tenure at CMA, Smartt has played a vital role in CMA’s growth and impact, overseeing key departments including Finance, Accounting, IT and Operations. She has provided strategic leadership for both CMA and the CMA Foundation by guiding financial planning, overseeing budgeting processes, managing long-range forecasting and more.

Smartt shares, “I’m deeply thankful for the incredible CMA team, whose dedication and excellence make this organization what it is. The past 11 years working alongside Sarah Trahern have been especially meaningful, and I’m beyond grateful for her partnership and friendship. And our Board members guidance and support have been instrumental in CMA’s success. I will always cherish those partnerships.

“To quote an unknown author, ‘Retirement is not the end of the road. It is the beginning of the open highway,'” she adds. “While I will miss my wonderful coworkers and the incredible relationships I’ve built, I’m looking forward to embracing this next chapter and am excited about the new possibilities ahead. It’s been an incredible ride, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything! Country Music is built on storytelling, and I’m forever grateful to have been part of this incredible story.”

After April 9, reach Smartt at afsmartt@gmail.com.

Ben Balch, CMA Vice President of Finance and Administration has assumed Smartt’s finance and accounting responsibilities, effective immediately.

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LB Cantrell
LB Cantrell
LB Cantrell is Editor/Director of Operations at MusicRow magazine, where she oversees, manages and executes all company operations. LB oversees all MusicRow-related content, including the publication’s six annual print issues and online news. She is a Georgia native and a graduate of the Recording Industry Management program at Middle Tennessee State University.
LB Cantrell
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