Executive Turntable: Mel Curey Joins Believe, ACM Names New Board of Directors

The Academy of Country Music (ACM) revealed its officer roles and new Board of Directors for the 2026-2027 term. The officers include chair Jeff Krones (CAA); president Becky Gardenhire (WME); vp Rusty Gaston (Sony Publishing); treasurer Carmen Romano (FBMM); sergeant-at-arms Gayle Holcomb (WME); parliamentarian Duane Clark (FBMM); and secretary Haley Montgomery (Academy of Country Music).

For this term, 12 directors-at-large were appointed and 19 directors were elected to the ACM Board of Directors. 

“The Academy of Country Music is proud to bring together leaders from across the industry who share a commitment to advancing Country Music and supporting the artists, songwriters and professionals who make this community so special,” Andy Schuon, CEO of the Academy of Country Music, said in a statement. “As we look ahead to the 2026-2027 term, this Board’s collective experience, passion and perspective will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen the Academy’s impact, create new opportunities for our members and celebrate the music and people at the heart of our industry.”This year qualifying professional categories were elected by the Academy’s membership. In addition to those elected, director-at-large positions have been appointed by the Chair, Vice-Chair, and Vice-President. Directors are elected from each category based on the number of members in that category. Each director serves a staggered two-year term.

Newly elected members of the board of directors include:

Aaron Spalding, Live Nation Entertainment
Adam Weiser, AEG Presents
Andrew McWilliams, Evergreen Artist Group
Benson Curb, Curb | Word Entertainment
Candice Watkins, Capitol Records Nashville
Chappel McCollister, The.Team (formerly Wasserman)
Cyndi Forman, Universal Music Publishing Group
Deana Ivey, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.
George Couri, Triple 8 Management
Jackie Campbell, Results Global
Jeremy Holley, by design music 
Jessi Vaughn Stevenson, Perfect Game Creative
Kristie Sloan, The GreenRoom PR
Lee Thomas Miller, Songwriter
Nate Towne, WME
Sally Seitz, Apple Music
Scott Scovill, Moo TV
Tim Foisset, Spotify
Tim Roberts, Audacy

Newly appointed director-at-large members of the board of directors include:

Andy Moats, Pinnacle Financial Partners
BJ Hill, Warner Chappell Music, Nashville
Chris Lisle, CLLD
Curt Motley, United Talent Agency
Ed Warm, Joe’s Live
Howie Edelman, Durango Artist Management
Ian Cripps, Atlantic Outpost
Meredith Jones, CAA
Robert Knotts, Lost Highway Records
Rod Phillips, iHeart Country
Shawn McSpadden, Range Media Partners
Storme Warren, TV and Radio Personality

ACM board of directors for 2026-2027:

Officers:

Chair of the Board: Jeff Krones, CAAPresident: Becky Gardenhire, WMEVice President: Rusty Gaston, Sony PublishingTreasurer: Carmen Romano, FBMMParliamentarian: Duane Clark, FBMMSergeant-at-Arms: Gayle Holcomb, WMESecretary: Haley Montgomery, Academy of Country Music

Affiliated:
Chappel McCollister, The.Team (formerly Wasserman)
Deana Ivey, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.
Jackie Campbell, Results Global
Jackie Jones, RIAA
Jeremy Holley, by design music

Artist/musician/producer/engineer:

Ashley McBryde, Artist
Carly Pearce, Artist
Dave Cohen, Musician
Derek Wells, Spirit Music/Producer/Songwriter
TJ Osborne, Artist

Digital marketing/distribution:

Sally Seitz, Apple Music
Tim Foisset, Spotify

Manager:

Enzo DeVincenzo, 377 Management
George Couri, Triple 8 Management
Kerri Edwards, KP Entertainment
Martha Earls, Neon Coast

Media/public relations:

Kristie Sloan, The GreenRoom

Music publisher/PRO:

Cyndi Forman, UMPG
Jessi Vaughn Stevenson, Warner/Consultant
Shannan Hatch, SESAC PRO

Radio:
Charlie Cook, Radio Industry
Mike Moore, Cumulus
Tim Roberts, Audacy

Record company:

Benson Curb, Curb | Word Entertainment
Candice Watkins, Capitol Records Nashville
Jennifer Way, EMPIRE Records
Katie Dean, Leo33
Stephanie Wright, MCA

Songwriter:
Lee Thomas Miller, Songwriter

Talent agent:

Andrew McWilliams, Evergreen
Nate Towne, WME

Talent buyer/promoter:

Aaron Spalding, Live Nation
Adam Weiser, AEG Presents
Bob Durkin, Southern Entertainment

Venue:
Kevin Ream, Cheatham Street Warehouse
Troy Vollhoffer, Premier Global Production

Touring:

Scott Scovill, Moo TV

Directors at large:

Amy Bryan-Fosgate, Activated Events
Andy Moats, Pinnacle
Beth Laird, Creative Nation
BJ Hill, Warner Chappell
Brian Wolf, Maverick
Chris Lisle, CLLD, LLC / The Touring Career Workshop
Curt Motley, United Talent Agency
Ed Warm, Joe’s Live
Erika Wollam Nichols, The Bluebird Cafe
Howie Edelman, Durango Artist Management
Ian Cripps, Atlantic Outpost
Jake Basden, Blue Highway
Jodi Dawes, Blue Highway
JoJamie Hahr, BBR Music Group
Meghan Kehoe, Sony Music
Meredith Jones, CAA
Patrick Moore, Opry Entertainment
Randi Tolbert, Qprime
Robert Knotts, Lost Highway
Rod Phillips, iHeartMedia
Ryan Beuschel, The Neal Agency
Ryan Redington, Amazon Music
Sara Knabe, Big Loud
Scot Calonge, Richards & Southern
Shannon Sanders, BMI
Shawn McSpadden, Range Media Partners
Storme Warren, TV and Radio Personality
Tom Lord, Redlight Management
Ward Gunther, Whiskey Jam

Past chairs:

Chuck Aly, Country Aircheck
Cris Lacy, Warner Music Nashville
Ebie McFarland, Essential Broadcast Media
Lori Badgett, City National Bank
Randy Bernard, RWB Management

Ex officio past chairs
Butch Waugh, Studio2bee
Charlie Cook, Radio Industry
Darin Murphy, CAA
Ken Tucker, Radio Industry
Mark Hartley
Paul Barnabee, FBMM
Rod Essig, CAA