Brian Jemelian, who provided two decades of distinguished service to Yamaha Corporation of America (YCA) and leadership as the company’s senior vice president, finance and administration, passed away on July 7 in Irvine, Calif., after a brief illness. He was 53.
Jemelian led the finance, information technology, operations, human resources, logistics, legal, tax and credit teams at YCA since joining the company in March of 1996. Among his many accomplishments at Yamaha were leading the company’s Business Continuity Project, Process Excellence Project and risk management strategies, as well as driving One Yamaha organization changes over the last decade. He also served as secretary for the company, as well as on the board of directors for Line 6 Inc., and the Yamaha Music and Wellness Institute.
“Brian was an extraordinary business leader, as well as an exceptional husband and father to his three daughters. Speaking on behalf of Yamaha, I want to express our most sincere sympathies to his family during this difficult time,” said Hitoshi Fukutome, president, YCA. “There are no words for how Brian influenced Yamaha and so many of our employees in such a special and unique way. His vast contributions to Yamaha over the past 20 years have been key to our growth, and his legacy will have a positive impact on everyone whose lives he touched for many years to come.”