NAMM Elects New Executive Committee

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) today announced the election of its 2011-2012 Executive Committee. The election, which took place today at a meeting of the NAMM Board of Directors during Summer NAMM, denotes a change in NAMM’s volunteer leadership with Kevin Cranley, president of Willis Music Company in Florence, Ky., taking over for outgoing NAMM Chairman Tom Schmitt, president and chairman of Schmitt Music Company in Minnesota.

The election results were as follows:

Chairman—Kevin Cranley, president of Willis Music Company

Kevin Cranley is president of Willis Music Company, a 112-year old retailer and publisher based in Florence, Ky. After graduating with a marketing degree from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, Cranley joined the company and later became president in 1990. Willis is known globally for its catalog of educational piano publications and regionally for its seven full-line music stores. In addition to his work with NAMM, Cranley served as a board member of the Retail Print Music Dealers Association and a trustee of the American Classical Music Hall of Fame. He also is a member of the Northern Kentucky University College of Business Advisory Council, the American Music Council, the Music Teachers National Association, the Alliance of Independent Music Merchants and the Omega Group.

Vice Chairman—Larry Morton, president of Hal Leonard Corporation

Larry Morton is president of Hal Leonard Corporation, the world’s largest music publisher. Morton joined the company in 1990 and has served as president since 1999. Morton formerly served on the NAMM Board of Directors from 1999 to 2002. He has also previously served on the boards of Music Publishers’ Association, Retail Print Music Dealers Association, Make Music Inc., and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Morton holds music degrees from Eastern Illinois University and University of North Texas, and is a lifelong active musician.

Treasurer—Mark Goff, president of Paige’s Music

Mark Goff is the president of Paige’s Music, a school music retailer in Indianapolis, Ind., which was founded in 1871. Goff joined the company in 1985 and purchased the business in 1999. He is a member of Music Industry Insights Group and the Alliance of Independent Music Merchants. Goff previously served on NAMM’s board of directors and as president of the National Association of School Music Dealers and the National Association of Young Music Merchants.

Secretary—Robin Walenta, president and CEO of West Music Company

Robin Walenta is president and CEO of West Music Co., Inc., a six-store, full-line retailer based in Coralville, Iowa. Walenta attended the University of Northern Iowa and Middle Tennessee State University before joining West Music in 1982. She was named president and CEO of the company in 2007. Walenta is a past member of the NAMM Board of Directors and currently a board member for the National Association of School Music Dealers and treasurer for the Iowa Alliance for Art Education. Walenta is also a member of the SupportMusic Coalition, the Retail Print Music Dealers Association, ASID, the Alliance of Independent Music Merchants and Omega.

NAMM Representative—Joe Lamond, NAMM president and CEO

Joe Lamond has been president and CEO of NAMM since 2001, representing 9,000 manufacturers and retailers of musical instruments and sound products. Lamond has led the team of dedicated NAMM employees towards accomplishing its mission by producing trade shows including its annual ‘NAMM Show,' the world’s largest trade-only event for the music products industry; and then reinvesting the proceeds into grants, scholarships, industry promotions, public and government relations programs designed to increase active music making and strengthen music education in our schools. These efforts have increased consumer demand for NAMM Member products and services, positively impacted industry sales and ultimately grown the size and popularity of the NAMM Show. Prior to joining NAMM as director of market development in 1998, Lamond worked for NAMM Member retailers in Sacramento for 16 years including 10 years with the award-winning Skip’s Music. Lamond is a member of the San Diego chapter of YPO, Young Presidents Organization and ASAE, the Center for Association Leadership. Lamond is married and has two teenage children. He is an active outdoorsman and drummer.

About NAMM
NAMM is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the $17 billion international musical instruments and products industry. NAMM’s activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of approximately 9,000 Member companies. For more information about NAMM or the proven benefits of making music, interested parties can visit www.namm.org or call 800-767-NAMM (6266).