GMA Reorganizes, Styll Exits

ALL ACCESS reported YESTERDAY (9/2) that GMA Pres./CEO JOHN STYLL had exited the GOSPEL MUSIC ASSOCIATION (GMA). Today GMA announced that it will "undergo organizational changes to respond to the current economic recession, and the shifting shape of the gospel music industry," according to a release issued by the organization.
 
“The GMA, like many other organizations and businesses, has taken hits during this prolonged downturn in our economy. It has forced the GMA Board to evaluate our association’s current business model and to acknowledge that in order to meet current obligations and needs of our members, and to ensure GMA’s vitality in the future; we needed to make some significant changes," said DAYWIND MUSIC GROUP Pres. and GMA Chairman ED LEONARD.

The Board of Directors approved a plan to return GMA to a more volunteer-driven operation with a smaller staff to facilitate and coordinate GMA events and programs. In MAY several paid staff positions were eliminated. STYLL's exit YESTERDAY marked the next step in the process. The President/CEO position of GMA will be substituted by a managerial level professional to oversee staff at the GMA office. The position has not yet been filled.
 
“There is no way to adequately summarize JOHN’s contributions to GMA, not only in his professional capacity for the last six years, but in the many more years he has served on the GMA Board of Directors, and on which he will continue to serve as a permanent lifetime member.  His action of leaving his position for the benefit of the association tells the story better than my words could,” said LEONARD.
 
“We’re implementing a plan that I drafted and recommended to our GMA Board last week, and we all agree this is a fiscally responsible direction to go,” said STYLL. “We’ve been tightening our belts for some time in this economy and now we’re at a point where I think it’s wise to take my own salary off the books. I remain a permanent board member of the GMA and look forward to continuing our work.  There’s much to be positive about, the popularity of our music form, the dream of our future HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM in NASHVILLE, but we have to ride out this economic storm a while further.”

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