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 EntertainmentAdam Weiser, AEG PresentsAndrew McWilliams, Evergreen Artist GroupBenson Curb, Curb | Word EntertainmentCandice Watkins, Capitol Records NashvilleChappel McCollister, The.Team (formerly Wasserman)Cyndi Forman, Universal Music Publishing GroupDeana Ivey, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.George Couri, Triple 8 ManagementJackie Campbell, Results GlobalJeremy Holley, by design music Jessi Vaughn Stevenson, Perfect Game CreativeKristie Sloan, The GreenRoom PRLee Thomas Miller, SongwriterNate Towne, WMESally Seitz, Apple MusicScott Scovill, Moo TVTim Foisset, SpotifyTim Roberts, Audacy Newly appointed director-at-large members of the board of directors include: Andy Moats, Pinnacle Financial PartnersBJ Hill, Warner Chappell Music, NashvilleChris Lisle, CLLDCurt Motley, United Talent AgencyEd Warm, Joe’s LiveHowie Edelman, Durango Artist ManagementIan Cripps, Atlantic OutpostMeredith Jones, CAARobert Knotts, Lost Highway RecordsRod Phillips, iHeart CountryShawn McSpadden, Range Media PartnersStorme 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 MusicAffiliated:Chappel McCollister, The.Team (formerly Wasserman)Deana Ivey, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.Jackie Campbell, Results GlobalJackie Jones, RIAAJeremy Holley, by design music Artist/musician/producer/engineer: Ashley McBryde, ArtistCarly Pearce, ArtistDave Cohen, MusicianDerek Wells, Spirit Music/Producer/SongwriterTJ Osborne, Artist Digital marketing/distribution: Sally Seitz, Apple MusicTim Foisset, Spotify Manager: Enzo DeVincenzo, 377 ManagementGeorge Couri, Triple 8 ManagementKerri Edwards, KP EntertainmentMartha Earls, Neon Coast Media/public relations: Kristie Sloan, The GreenRoom Music publisher/PRO: Cyndi Forman, UMPGJessi Vaughn Stevenson, Warner/ConsultantShannan Hatch, SESAC PRO Radio:Charlie Cook, Radio IndustryMike Moore, CumulusTim Roberts, Audacy Record company: Benson Curb, Curb | Word EntertainmentCandice Watkins, Capitol Records NashvilleJennifer Way, EMPIRE RecordsKatie Dean, Leo33Stephanie Wright, MCA Songwriter:Lee Thomas Miller, Songwriter Talent agent: Andrew McWilliams, EvergreenNate Towne, WME Talent buyer/promoter: Aaron Spalding, Live NationAdam Weiser, AEG PresentsBob Durkin, Southern Entertainment Venue:Kevin Ream, Cheatham Street WarehouseTroy Vollhoffer, Premier Global ProductionTouring:Scott Scovill, Moo TV Directors at large: Amy Bryan-Fosgate, Activated EventsAndy Moats, PinnacleBeth Laird, Creative NationBJ Hill, Warner ChappellBrian Wolf, MaverickChris Lisle, CLLD, LLC / The Touring Career WorkshopCurt Motley, United Talent AgencyEd Warm, Joe’s LiveErika Wollam Nichols, The Bluebird CafeHowie Edelman, Durango Artist ManagementIan Cripps, Atlantic OutpostJake Basden, Blue HighwayJodi Dawes, Blue HighwayJoJamie Hahr, BBR Music GroupMeghan Kehoe, Sony MusicMeredith Jones, CAAPatrick Moore, Opry EntertainmentRandi Tolbert, QprimeRobert Knotts, Lost HighwayRod Phillips, iHeartMediaRyan Beuschel, The Neal AgencyRyan Redington, Amazon MusicSara Knabe, Big LoudScot Calonge, Richards & SouthernShannon Sanders, BMIShawn McSpadden, Range Media PartnersStorme Warren, TV and Radio PersonalityTom Lord, Redlight ManagementWard Gunther, Whiskey Jam Past chairs: Chuck Aly, Country AircheckCris Lacy, Warner Music NashvilleEbie McFarland, Essential Broadcast MediaLori Badgett, City National BankRandy Bernard, RWB Management Ex officio past chairsButch Waugh, Studio2beeCharlie Cook, Radio IndustryDarin Murphy, CAAKen Tucker, Radio IndustryMark HartleyPaul Barnabee, FBMMRod Essig, CAA — Jessica Nicholson