NAMM Elects New Executive Committee Member and Positions

The NAMM executive committee enjoys a seamless succession welcoming Joel Menchey and honoring outgoing Chair Morton during Summer NAMM. The changing of the guard started Saturday, July 11 during the annual summer board meeting held in Nashville, TN.

Mark Goff, previously NAMM’s vice chair, will move into a new role as chair of NAMM’s Board of Directors. Goff is 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. “Like so many of my colleagues, NAMM has played a significant role in both my business and personal growth throughout my 30 years in the industry,” said Goff. “For that reason I am honored and humbled to be elected chairman of NAMM's board of directors and will work very hard to support NAMM's mission of strengthening the industry and promoting music making to people of all ages.”

Goff warmly welcomed Menchey to the executive committee as secretary, “We are excited to welcome Joel Menchey to NAMM's executive committee. Joel is a multi-generational full-line retailer who represents the very best of our industry. He has tremendous passion and energy for music-making and we look forward to his contribution.”

As president of Menchey Music, Menchey oversees seven full-service school music stores in Pennsylvania and Maryland. He previously served on the NAMM Board of Directors from 2007 to 2010. “NAMM, the NAMM Shows, and all of the NAMM sponsored activities I’ve been involved with have been such a big part of my industry experience over the last 20 years,” Menchey said. “I’m thrilled and honored to have been asked to join the NAMM ExCom and I look forward to serving the industry over the next 8 years.”

Also stepping into new positions within the executive committee are Robin Walenta, of West Music Co., who will serve as NAMM’s vice chair and Chris Martin, chairman and CEO of C.F. Martin & Co., who will become the treasurer. During his two-year term, Morton presided over a period of membership growth and record-breaking NAMM Shows, along with the expansion of NAMM’s international activities. He takes particular pride in being involved with the creation and implementation of NAMM’s Vision, Mission and Objectives, a document that serves as a guidepost for the organization.

“All of us at NAMM wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to Larry Morton for his superb leadership over the past two years,” said Goff. “With his deep love for music, strong respect by his peers and steady hand at the helm, he has modeled the very best of servant leadership. The NAMM organization is stronger because of Larry's service.”

In other NAMM board-related news, the NAMM Young Professionals welcome Ryan West, senior vice president of West Music Co., as he steps in as president. West succeeds C.J. Averwater, vice president of Amro Music Stores, Inc., who during his term revitalized the group with new events and activity.