New NAMM Executive Committee Elected

 NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry, today announced the election of its 2009–2011 Executive Committee. The election, which took place yesterday at a meeting of the NAMM Board of Directors, denotes a change in NAMM's volunteer leadership with Tom Schmitt, president and chairman of Schmitt Music Company, taking over for outgoing NAMM Chairman Chip Averwater, chairman of Amro Music Stores.

The election results were as follows:

Chairman—Tom Schmitt, president and chairman of Schmitt Music Co.


Tom Schmitt is president and chairman of Schmitt Music Company, a Minneapolis-based company that sells pianos, organs, band and orchestra instruments, music, accessories and lessons. Schmitt Music Company currently operates 16 stores in the Midwest. Schmitt is a member of the Alliance of the Independent Music Merchants, National Association of School Music Dealers, Retail Print Music Dealers Association, Keyboard Excellence Group and Omega Group and is the appointed NAMM Executive Committee liaison to the NAMM Foundation AMC division.

Vice Chairman—Kevin Cranley, President of Willis Music Co.


Kevin Cranley is the president of Willis Music Company, a retailer and publisher based in Florence, Ky. Cranley owns and operates seven music stores in Ohio and Kentucky. In addition to his work with NAMM, Cranley is a former board member of the Retail Print Music Association and a trustee of the American Classical Music Hall of Fame. He also belongs to the Northern Kentucky University College of Business Advisory Council, the American Classical Music Hall of Fame, the American Music Council and the Music Teachers National Association. He currently serves as the NAMM Executive Committee liaison for the NAMM Foundation’s Museum of Making Music.

Treasurer—Larry Morton, President of Hal Leonard Corporation


Larry Morton is president of Hal Leonard Corporation, the world’s largest print music publisher. Morton joined the company in 1990 and has served as president since 1999. He serves as the NAMM Executive Committee liaison for the NAMM Foundation Research Division. He previously served on the board of Music Publishers' Association, Retail Print Music Dealers Association, Make Music Inc. and NAMM.

Secretary—Mark Goff, President of Paige’s Music

Mark Goff joined Paige’s Music in 1985 as a sales associate after graduating from Indiana Wesleyan University with a music business degree. Paige’s Music is a full-line dealer in Indianapolis that focuses on the school band market, working closely with more than 400 school music programs throughout Indiana to provide director-recommended instruments, accessories, repair services, and in-school support necessary to give school musicians the best chance to succeed. Mark Goff previously served as president of the National School Music Dealers Association (NASMD).

 NAMM Representative—Joe Lamond, President and CEO


Joe Lamond is president and CEO of NAMM. Lamond joined NAMM in 1998 as director of market development, where he was responsible for implementing NAMM’s mission to create more music makers worldwide. As president/CEO, Lamond has assembled and now leads a team of individuals who have advanced NAMM’s mission and provided valuable benefits and services for the association’s more than 9,000 Members. “The international music products industry owes a debt of gratitude to Chip Averwater, who has tirelessly served for the past 12 years on the NAMM Board and Executive Committee,” says Lamond. “His legacy of hard work, commitment and dedication to NAMM’s mission will continue to serve the industry for years to come.”