Amy Dietz (EVP & General Manager, INgrooves),Darius Van Arman (Co-Founder & Co-Owner, Secretly Group ) and Martin Mills (Founder and Chairman, Beggars Group) have been elected onto the board of US independent music trade boy A2IM for the 2015-2016 year.
The remainder of A2IM’s board continuing in office is: Razor & Tie Managing Director Craig Balsam; Concord Music Group President, Glen Barros; Smithsonian Folkways Recordings Associate Director for Business Strategies, Richard Burgess; Epitaph/Anti General Manager, Dave Hansen; Dualtone Music Group CEO/Co-Founder Scott Robinson; Kill Rock Stars President, Portia Sabin; ole Sr. VP Digital, Jim Selby; and Tommy Boy Owner/CEO, Thomas Silverman.
A2IM’s Vice President Molly Neuman said: “12 A2IM members ran for the Board this year. As in years past, the quality of candidates affirms the breadth of talented executives within the A2IM organization and the commitment by our community’s most visionary leaders to our mission. We thank all of the candidates for running.”
The Board was elected by A2IM’s membership of over 350 Independent music labels representing a diverse array of musical genres, geographic locations and label sizes.
The newly elected members will each serve a three-year term on the Board of Directors.
A2IM also welcomes three representatives to the President’s Advisory committee, as appointed by President Rich Bengloff with approval from the Board.
The Advisory board’s role is to lend their expertise to the organization while simultaneously increasing the Board’s diversity in terms of label size, geography, and genre:
- Chris Frymire (Vice President, Red House Records)
- Nate Nelson (Co-owner, Innovative Leisure)
- Taylor Childress (Vice President, Curb Records)
Additionally, Louis Posen (Owner, Hopeless Records) has been designated as the A2IM lead WIN council representative.
The new board’s term will begin on July 4, 2015 and the new board and advisory committee and officers will officially be introduced during A2IM’s 10th Anniversary during Indie Week from June 22-25.
Three A2IM board members are stepping down due to finishing out their elected terms: Secretly Label Group Head of Domestic Sales & Marketing, Cathy Bauer; Hopeless Records Owner, Louis Posen (who is now appointed as A2IM’s lead WIN council representative); and Glassnote Records General Manager, Chris Scully.
Meanwhile, the three advisory board members are also stepping down: Loma Vista Recordings Label Manager Josh Berman; Mack Avenue President Denny Stilwell; and Compass Records Co-Founder Garry West.
“It’s a privilege to have been elected to the A2IM board, and I’m honored to be serving with such an accomplished and dedicated group. I look forward to contributing in this capacity to advocate for the rights and interests of the independent community.” – Amy Dietz, EVP and General Manager, INgrooves.
“I am truly honored to be representing the A2IM membership again. I will continue to work hard for labels of all sizes and towards a level playing field for all in the marketplace.” – Darius Van Arman, Co-Founder and Co-Owner, Secretly Group.
“I’m happy to be back! Our board rotation policy is great for creating fresh input, but I miss it in the years off. Looking forward to more success for the community of Independents.” – Martin Mills, Founder & Chairman, Beggars Group.
“I look forward to working with the A2IM staff and the elected A2IM Board in the ongoing efforts to improve the business, political, and market environment for independent music in the current and future entertainment industry.” – Chris Frymire, Vice President, Red House Records.
“It’s an honor and privilege to be nominated and confirmed as the A2IM representative to the Worldwide Independent Network (WIN). I look forward to ensuring both that our US priorities are represented globally, and that we understand the rest of the world when making decisions locally. I look forward to continuing to work alongside the A2IM staff and Board who are some of the brightest and most experienced music executives and entrepreneurs.” – Louis Posen, Owner, Hopeless Records.
“Knowing some of the people that have worked in this capacity with A2IM in the past, I’m very privileged to even be considered a player on the team. The thoughtful conversations that I’ve had with members and staff of A2IM make me optimistic that I’ll be able to accomplish a good amount while in service.” – Nate Nelson, Co-owner, Innovative Leisure.
“I am not only honored, but humbled by the opportunity to learn from and work with the A2IM team and the entire board. I am fired up and can’t wait to get to work on the challenges we face as an independent music community.” – Taylor Childress, Vice President, Curb RecordsMusic Business Worldwide
