(From Left to Right) Mark Goff, Robin Walenta, Joel Menchey, Chris Martin and Joe Lamond.
The NAMM Executive Committee enjoyed a seamless succession, welcoming Joel Menchey and honoring the outgoing Chair, Larry Morton, during Summer NAMM earlier this month. The changing of the guard started July 11 during the annual summer board meeting held in Nashville TN. Mark Goff, previously NAMM’s Vice Chair, will move into a new role as Chair of NAMM’s Board of Directors. Goff is President of Paige’s Music, a school music retailer in Indianapolis IN, which was founded in 1871. Goff joined the company in 1985 and purchased the business in 1999. Goff warmly welcomed Menchey to the Executive Committee as Secretary. As President of Menchey Music, Menchey oversees seven full-service school music stores in Pennsylvania and Maryland. He previously served on the NAMM Board of Directors from 2007 to 2010.
Also stepping into new positions within the Executive Committee are Robin Walenta, of West Music Co., who will serve as NAMM’s Vice Chair and Chris Martin, Chairman and CEO of C.F. Martin & Co., who will become the Treasurer. During his two-year term as Chair, Larry Morton presided over a period of membership growth and record-breaking NAMM Shows, along with the expansion of NAMM’s international activities. He takes particular pride in being involved with the creation and implementation of NAMM’s Vision, Mission and Objectives, a document that serves as a guidepost for the organization.
“All of us at NAMM wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to Larry Morton for his superb leadership over the past two years,” Goff stated. “With his deep love for music, strong respect by his peers and steady hand at the helm, he has modeled the very best of servant leadership. The NAMM organization is stronger because of Larry’s service.”
In other NAMM Board-related news, the NAMM Young Professionals organization welcomes Ryan West, Senior Vice President of West Music Co., as he steps in as President. West succeeds C.J. Averwater, Vice President of Amro Music Stores, Inc., who, during his term, revitalized the group with new events and activity.