The American Association of Independent Music

Zena White, COO of Partisan Records; Beggars Group president Nabil Ayers; Hays Rudolph, general counsel and VP of business and legal affairs at Secretly; and Tony Alexander, president and managing director of Made in Memphis Entertainment (MIME), are among the fresh faces on the American Assn. of Independent Music (A2IM) board.
White, Ayers, Rudolph, Alexander are newly-elected to the board, which oversees the governance of A2IM, represents the not-for-profit organization’s membership at large, and assists in setting the priorities and direction for the organization.

Also announced today (July 25) is A2IM’s executive committee, led by Heather Johnson, director of label operations at FIXT, who is named as chair. Meanwhile, Victor Zaraya, COO of Concord, is appointed as treasurer, and MIME’s Alexander becomes secretary.

“We are so grateful to have such a talented and dedicated group of individuals willing to serve on the 2023/24 board of directors for A2IM,” comments Dr. Richard James Burgess, president and CEO of A2IM. “Their expertise and passion for independent music will play a vital role in shaping the future of our organization and the industry.”

A2IM represents over 600 independent record labels.

Additionally, the trade body welcomes a raft of advisory board members who will lend their expertise and counsel. They include Kristin Epstein (operations director of Screenwave Media), Steve Kline (president/COO of Better Noise Music), Jennifer Newman Sharpe (general counsel and head of business & legal affairs of Exceleration Music), Elliott Peters (senior VP, global business at Empire), Jason Peterson (CEO of Cinq Music/GoDigital Media Group) and Reed Watson (co-owner of Single Lock Records).

“With these new executive committee and advisory board members, we are confident in our ability to advocate for the needs and interests of independent record labels,” adds Burgess. “I am honored to work alongside this exceptional team to support and celebrate the power of independent music.”

Headquartered in New York City, A2IM exists to support and strengthen the independent recorded music sector, and celebrates the scene by organizing the annual A2IM Libera Awards.

A2IM’s current board of directors:

A2IM’s current board of directors:Tony Alexander – MIME (Made In Memphis Entertainment)Nabil Ayers – Beggars GroupMariah Czap – Yep Roc Music GroupDee Diaz – Reach RecordsWilson Fuller – Merge RecordsMary Jurey – Blue ÉlanHeather Johnson – FiXTTony Kiewel – Sub PopHays Rudolph – SecretlyVictor Zaraya – ConcordZena White – Partisan

Advisory board members:Kristin Epstein – Screenwave MediaSteve Kline – Better Noise MusicJennifer Newman Sharpe – Exceleration MusicElliott Peters – EmpireJason Peterson – Cinq Music/GoDigital Media GroupReed Watson – Single Lock Records.