CMA Announces Staff Promotions

Laura Nairon

The COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION has promoted LAURA NAIRON from Director/Executive Programs & Board Relations to Sr. Director/Executive & Community Relations. NAIRON oversees executive programs, including CMA Awards and COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME balloting; CMA Board and committee relations; and CMA's community, industry and artist relations outreach. She reports to CMA COO TAMMY GENOVESE.

"During the past year, we have identified community, industry and artist relations as cornerstones of CMA's strategic objectives," GENOVESE said. "LAURA brings a great deal of passion, experience and knowledge to this important and growing role at CMA."

Also in the Executive Department, BRANDI SIMMS has been promoted from Sr. Coordinator/Executive Programs to Manager/Executive Programs. SIMMS will be responsible for the management of executive programs, including CMA Board of Directors and Committee support, and balloting for the CMA Awards and COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME. She will report to NAIRON.

"As a senior coordinator, BRANDI managed the complex tasks of CMA's executive programs with professionalism, a high level of competence and a dedication to excellence," said NAIRON. "I am very excited about her new role as manager and I know that she will handle this additional responsibility with skill and grace."

In the Communications Department, AMANDA ECKARD has been promoted from Creative Services Coordinator to Creative Services Manager. ECKARD manages print projects including direct mail pieces, brochures, and more. She also contributes as a writer and editor for CMA's program books for CMA Music Festival and the CMA Awards, in addition to CMA Close Up magazine. Eckard also maintains CMA's extensive photo archive and serves as the associations' staff photographer. She reports to CMA Director/Creative Services ATHENA PATTERSON.

"AMANDA brings a great deal of energy and enthusiasm to her work in the Creative Services area of the Department," said CMA VP/Communications WENDY PEARL. "She has a critical eye and a level of creativity and innovation that makes her a valued part of this team."

In the Strategic Marketing Department, CORY CHAPMAN was promoted from Marketing Manager to Sr. Marketing Manager, and KYLE QUIGLEY was upped from Manager to Sr. Manager of Strategic Marketing Initiatives.

"As our marketing, partnership activation and new initiatives area grow, it is critical that we have strong leaders in key positions," said CMA VP/Strategic Marketing RICK MURRAY. "Both KYLE and CORY have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and the ability to craft and execute visionary programs for CMA."

CHAPMAN will continue developing marketing plans and strategic promotional partnerships related to the CMA Music Festival and CMA Awards. He will also develop business relationships with ABC TELEVISION affiliates, direct print advertising efforts, assist in online marketing initiatives and implement marketing plan execution, promotional programs and select sponsorship fulfillment for CMA events. He reports to CMA Director/Marketing Services TAMMY DONHAM.

QUIGLEY's responsibilities at CMA include artist liaison for the Marketing Department and CMA initiatives including "Nashville Celebrates Country," the CMA Songwriters Series at JOE'S PUB in NEW YORK, CMA's upcoming 50th Anniversary, and more. QUIGLEY manages CMA's two partnership fulfillment coordinators and reports to MURRAY and CMA Director/Business Development PAULA MILTON.

Other promotions announced today include BRANDI SANFORD, from Communications Assistant to Communications Coordinator; KATIE NELSON, from Events & Projects Assistant to Events & Projects Coordinator; and, in Finance and Administration, DANA DAVIS and CHRISTA GOLDMAN, from Administration Assistants to Finance & Administration Coordinators.

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