Nancy Cardwell, executive director of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), has tendered her resignation with the organization, effective December 31, 2014. Cardwell has held the position of executive director at IBMA for the past two and a half years, and has worked at the organization for 20 years.
In a letter to members of the organization, Cardwell said, “When I agreed to take the interim ED position March 5, 2012—and later in August 2012 when I was asked to take on the full-time position, I let the IBMA Board of Directors know I intended to stay three to five years, to help the organization get through what I perceived as a crucially important transitional process following the tenure of longtime director Dan Hays… Bluegrass music is about passing tunes from one generation to another, and it’s also about passing leadership roles along to the next person on the industry side. Twenty years is a long time to do anything, and I know 2015 is the right time for me to pass the torch to the next executive director of IBMA.”
During her tenure as executive director, Cardwell oversaw the move of IBMA’s World of Bluegrass from Nashville to Raleigh, N.C. She also oversaw the establishment of a Nashville office in the Berry Hill area, a rise in IBMA membership, and more.
“When the Board began its search for an Executive Director to replace Dan Hays, we knew it was important to find one who was both familiar with and familiar to our members and our industry, as we moved forward in our efforts to build an IBMA capable of playing a leadership role in the industry for many years to come,” said Jon Weisberger, IBMA Board chair.  “During Nancy’s tenure, we have made significant strides in doing so, and her devotion to the IBMA, to its members, to bluegrass music and to the bluegrass community have been indispensible assets.  I am confident that the Board will find a successor capable of meeting the challenges that still lie before us, but I am equally confident that the value of the contribution she has made will be felt for many years to come.  We wish her success in whatever she chooses to do next, and on a personal note, I hope that I can continue to count on her counsel and knowledge for as long as I serve as Chair of the Board of Directors.”
Cardwell added in her letter: “It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve IBMA for 20 years, and to get to know and appreciate so many of you. I’m proud of what the organization has accomplished so far, and I’m excited about the future of both IBMA and bluegrass music.  I appreciate what I’ve learned from each of you, the music and the stories, and most of all, your friendship.”
The organization will begin its search for a new executive director in the coming weeks.