Nashville, TN (April 29, 2015) — The International Bluegrass Music Association’s Board
of Directors announced that Paul J. Schiminger has been selected as the
organization’s Executive Director. Schiminger’s expected start date is June 1, and he will be based at the IBMA’s office in Nashville, Tennessee.
IBMA
– the International Bluegrass Music Association – is the professional
trade organization for the global bluegrass music industry and the
community it serves.
Schiminger
brings to his role with the IBMA an extensive background in the
financial services industry, including his most recent position as head
of not-for-profit business development at Wilmington Trust (M&T
Bank) in Baltimore, Maryland. Prior to that, he was Vice President,
Head of Sales & Client Service at Alex. Brown Investment Management
and held several positions at Deutsche Bank Alex. Brown, including
Director, Head of Sales & Marketing for Advisory Services.
Schiminger received a Bachelor of Business Administration-Accounting
from James Madison University and a Master of Science-Finance from Johns
Hopkins University. He is a Certified Investment Management Analyst.
Additionally,
the incoming Executive Director is a passionate fan of bluegrass and
plays banjo in a regional band in Maryland. Schiminger was also a member
of the Leadership Bluegrass Class of 2015.
“Bluegrass
music is enjoying a surge of creativity and vibrancy, as witnessed in
Raleigh at IBMA’s World of Bluegrass event over the past couple of
years,” says Schiminger. “We have a community of talented musicians and
fans connected as one. There is no other community like it. How could I
not be excited to be a part of this music at such a time of growth? I
have an incredible opportunity to combine my professional experience and
my passion. Now let’s have some fun together!”
Board
Chair Jon Weisberger says Schiminger fits the bill for what the Board
was looking for when they started the hiring process for the next
Executive Director.
“From
the beginning of the search, our Board was determined to bring in an
Executive Director with substantial experience in the business world,
and Paul obviously brings to the position a stellar background in that
respect,” Weisberger says. “But he also brings an appreciation of and a
passion for bluegrass that I know will excite our membership—and his
recent participation in our Leadership Bluegrass program, which he had
pursued even before our search began, only underlines his deep
connection to our industry and community."
“I'm
so happy to have Paul coming on board,” says Board Vice Chair Tim
Surrett. “I had some in-depth conversations with Paul, and I think he
has the obvious skill coupled with a genuine love for our music. His
business acumen combined with a knowledge of the music is the best of
what we could have hoped for. He comes to the position with much
excitement and enthusiasm, with important and worthy goals.”
Schiminger says he is ready to hit the ground running, with many priorities for the organization already in place.
“My
initial priorities at IBMA will be to work closely with our important
partners in Raleigh so together we assure yet another amazing World of
Bluegrass business conference and festival, learn how we can better
support our Professional members and help them successfully grow their
careers, and identify ways we can continually enhance the experience of
our Grass Roots members. They are the fans that will help this music
thrive for generations to come,” he said.
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