ASCAP CEO LoFrumento Announces Retirement

ASCAP’s John LoFrumento

ASCAP’s John LoFrumento has announced that he will retire as CEO of the performing rights organization, effective Jan. 1.

LoFrumento spent 33 years at ASCAP, with 17 of those year in the CEO role. LoFrumento’s career began in accounting, where he worked his way to a vice president and controller role at American Express prior to joining ASCAP as a controller in 1981. He worked his way through organization’s ranks, becoming CEO in 1997.

“When I became CEO in 1997, we set a course aimed at transforming ASCAP into a new kind of organization that would be ready to meet the demands of the 21st century, and I am so proud of what we have achieved,” LoFrumento said in a statement to staff. “Through a commitment to innovation and continuous improvement in all areas of our operation, ASCAP has become the world’s most sophisticated and efficient music rights organization, home to more than 520,000 of the world’s greatest music creators. And I am able to retire with tremendous confidence in ASCAP’s future, knowing that the Board’s search for a new CEO is well underway.”

ASCAP is home to many of music’s top songwriters and artists, including Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Drake, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Brandy Clark, and Jennifer Nettles.

“I started out as an accountant and I never imagined I would end up in a career that brought me the absolute joy of helping to serve and protect the world’s greatest songwriters – many of whom have become great friends,” LoFrumento summed in the memo. “It has been an incredible journey — not always easy, but endlessly exciting and fulfilling.”

LoFrumento’s successor will be named shortly.