Leadership Music Reveals Class Of 2016

Leadership Music’s 27th class has been announced and is composed of 48 industry leaders from across the country.

“The Leadership Music Class of 2016 is an impressive group of industry professionals with a wealth of experience and expertise from a diverse field of music businesses,” said Sally Williams, General Manager at the Ryman Auditorium, who, as immediate past president of the board of directors, co-chaired the selection committee.

“We had a record number of applications this year, and choosing 48 applicants from among the hundreds who applied was a very daunting task. The selection committee, composed of 24 alumni from every facet of the industry, deliberates over a four week period, and makes every effort to choose the most balanced and diverse class possible. We all consider it a privilege to be charged with playing a role in the future of this organization.”

Founded in 1989 by eleven music industry alumni of Leadership Nashville, Leadership Music has graduated more than 1000 leaders. The annual program is designed to create a forum for established music community leaders to identify and explore issues currently affecting the music industry, as well as providing once-in-a-lifetime experiences and meeting people one would not ordinarily meet with whom one builds lasting relationships.

Members of the 2016 class are:
Craig Balsam, Co-CEO/Co-Founder, Razor & Tie (NYC)
Blaine Barcus, VP, A&R, Provident Label Group/Sony Music Entertainment
Deb Barnes, editor/writer
Heather Buresh, Executive Director, Big Loud Bucks/Round Hill Music
Justin Cole, Director of Country Programming, Premiere Networks/iHeart Media
Jason Colton, Artist Manager, Red Light Management (Seattle)
Jen Danielson, Director, Music Strategy, CMT
Barry Dean, songwriter
Todd Dupler, Director of Government Relations, The Recording Academy (Washington, DC)
Steve Emley, Artist Manager, Fitzgerald Hartley
Nick Ferrara, Attorney, Nicholas C. Ferrara & Associates
Josh Friedlander, Senior VP, Strategic Data Analysis, RIAA (Washington, DC)
Aaron Gant, VP, Production, Warner Chappell Production Music
Bob Guerra, Senior VP, Programming, Cherry Creek Radio
Margaret Hart, Manager, Artist & Label Relations, YouTube
Bruce Houghton, President, Skyline Music (Roanoke, VA)
Brent Hyams, Chief Operating Officer, TPAC/War Memorial Auditorium
Gavin Ivester, CEO, Flo
Cris Lacy, VP, A&R, Warner Music Nashville
Tim Lauer, musician/producer/writer
Jonathan Levine, Agent, Paradigm Talent Agency
Renee´ Leymon, VP, Promotion, Red Bow Records
Chris Lisle, Owner, Chris Lisle Lighting Design
Erick Long, Senior VP, Operations & Events, Academy of Country Music (Los Angeles)
Angie Magill, VP, Legal & Business Affairs, Sony Music Nashville
Blake McDaniel, Agent, CAA
Maurice Miner, President, Maurice Miner Media & Marketing
Sean Neff, Producer/Engineer, Spin Productions
A.J. Niland, President, Huka Entertainment (New Orleans)
Brad Peterson, VP/Music Division Team Leader; Fifth Third Bank
Bob Raines, Executive Director, Tennessee Film, Entertainment and Music Commission
Joe Rapolla, Director, Music Industry Program, Monmouth University (New Jersey)
Adam Ritholz, Attorney, Ritholz Levy Sanders Chidekel & Fields (NYC)
Pete Robinson, Senior VP/GM, Big Deal Music
Carmen Romano, Business Manager, Flood Bumstead McCready & McCarthy (NYC)
Jon Romero, Head of Digital Marketing, Vector Management
Vince Santoro, Secretary/Treasurer, Nashville Musicians’ Union, AFM Local 257
Neville Shende, Fleet Operations & Safety Manager, Pioneer Coach
Brandi Simms, Senior Director, Membership & Balloting, CMA
Anjula Singh, Chief Financial Officer, SoundExchange (Washington, DC)
Dr. Gregory Stewart, Executive Principal, Nashville School of the Arts
Phil Thornton, VP/GM, Urban Inspirational, Entertainment One
Brad Turcotte, VP, Marketing, UMG Nashville
Jennifer Turnbow, Sr. Director of Operations, NSAI
Allison Warren, VP, Market Manager, Cumulus Nashville
Jill Wheeler, Concert Promoter, Red Mountain Entertainment (Birmingham)
Jenn Witherell, VP, Marketing & Publicity, Big Enterprises
Russ Zavitson, President, Zavitson Music Group