C.F. Martin & Co. today announced the appointment of Blaine Phillips to its Board of Directors and the addition of Matthew Kennedy to its Executive Leadership Team (ELT), further strengthening the company’s leadership as it continues to build on its legacy of craftsmanship and innovation.
Blaine Phillips Joins Board of Directors
C.F. Martin & Co. is proud to welcome Blaine Phillips to its Board of Directors, adding a seasoned business leader with more than 40 years of experience building and growing a family-owned company.
Phillips currently serves as President of Phillips & Phillips, a commercial real estate holding company, and CEO of Phillips Pet Food & Supplies, one of the largest national distributors of pet food and supplies. Over the course of his career, he has transformed a small family feed store into a nationwide organization with more than 900 employees, a network of distribution centers across the United States, and partnerships with over 12,000 retail locations and 300 vendors.
Phillips brings a deep understanding of long-term growth, strategic expansion, and the unique dynamics of family-owned businesses. During his tenure at Phillips Pet Food & Supplies, he led the integration of more than 20 distributors and regions, helping scale the company into an industry leader while maintaining strong relationships across both brick-and-mortar and e-commerce channels.
“I grew up in Nazareth, PA, and always admired Martin Guitar, so it is truly an honor to join the Board of Directors of the greatest acoustic guitar maker in the world,” said Phillips. “Calling on many years of experience running and growing my own family business, I believe I can bring valuable insights to this amazing company and help us reach even greater heights.”
“Blaine is from Nazareth, the third generation in his family business that evolved from farm animal feed to pet food. He has grown his family business in a challenging and evolving market successfully,” said Chris Martin IV, Chairman of the Board of C.F. Martin & Co. “My dog Dolce and I welcome Blaine to the Martin Board of Directors.”
“Blaine brings valuable experience in expanding and scaling businesses, which will be helpful as we continue to look for opportunities to grow the Martin Guitar company. Welcome to the Board,” said Thomas Ripsam, President and CEO of C.F. Martin & Co.
A native of Pennsylvania, Phillips holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Fort Lauderdale Business College and previously served as an elected town supervisor for eight years. He currently resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with his wife, Sheryl Maher, and is a proud father and grandfather.
Matthew Kennedy Named Officer & Appointed to ELT
C.F. Martin & Co. also announced that Matthew Kennedy has been named an officer of the company and appointed to the Executive Leadership Team. He currently serves as Director of Custom Shop Sales Administration and Support.
Kennedy has been a dedicated contributor to the company for the past 14 years. He currently serves on the Board of Directors and has a seat on the board of the Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation. Beginning his career on the manufacturing floor, Kennedy has held a variety of roles across the organization, gaining hands-on experience in multiple areas of the business. His time working alongside employees throughout the company has given him a strong understanding of day-to-day operations and the perspectives of Martin’s workforce—insight he continues to bring to both his leadership role and board service.
“Matt started as an intern, got a full-time job at the company, then got an MBA. He helped Thomas Ripsam and me with strategy, got involved in NAMM Young Professionals, and serves on the board of the Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation as well as the company’s Board of Directors,” said Chris Martin IV. “Congratulations, Matt! P.S. Yes, he is my nephew.”
“Over the past few years, I have gotten to know Matt quite well and seen him drive impact in many different areas. I look forward to his continued contributions as part of the Executive Leadership Team,” said Ripsam.
“It is an honor to take on this role, and I am committed to preserving and building upon Martin Guitar’s values and history—celebrating our artistry and craftspeople, inspiring musicians, and guiding purposeful growth for generations,” said Kennedy.
