Changing of the Guard

In my first year working for MMR, the big buzz at my inaugural NAMM Show trip was still about “the new guy,” Joe Lamond, who had stepped into the role of NAMM president and CEO only the previous year.

The feedback was universally positive: he’s personable, well-spoken, a professional musician, advocate for music education, has background in MI retail, understands business and relationships, et cetera. All of that, of course, proved to be true – and then some. Of course, at the time, I was primarily excited that the head of this massive organization had previously been the drummer for Tommy Tutone! As one of the (surely many) third-graders (and beyond) who had spent the better part of 1982 prank-calling anyone unfortunate enough to have been saddled with the phone number 867-5309 this was unspeakably cool. And Joe is really cool! To our industry, Lamond has been a champion and beacon of calmness amidst any upheaval for over two decades. Personally, I have valued his kindness and wisdom; I am grateful to his contributions to both the culture of music-making and to my own life and career. Under Lamond’s leadership, the NAMM Show grew to record attendance numbers and a vastly increased awareness for both NAMM and music education advocacy blossomed.

When it was announced last year that Lamond would be stepping down as NAMM president and CEO, it was a shock to many and certainly begged the question, “Who could possibly succeed this dude?”

Happily, after a year-long search, the NAMM Executive Committee and CEO Search Committee landed on precisely the perfect candidate to step in and fill these rather large shoes: John Mlynczak. Mlynczak has an extensive background in music education, MI retail, music performance, music technology, and business management. He’s also just as charming, quick-witted, and fun as the great man he is succeeding. Many MMR readers are already very familiar with his accomplishments and personality, but for those to whom Mlynczak is something of an unknown quantity, be sure to check out this issue’s cover feature on the new NAMM boss on page XX. The guy knows his stuff, has music and the MI industry coursing through his veins, and is a force to be reckoned with.

Upon the announcement of Mlynczak’s appointment in mid-February of this year, Lamond observed, “Since 1946, our industry association has been under the steady guidance and management of only three CEOs. With John’s knowledge of the industry and proximity to NAMM through his work as a music education advocate, our members will benefit from the tradition of a seamless, stable transition. I am confident that he will continue to champion our industry and our vision, mission, and objectives.”

I’d never presume to put anything better than Joe can and that seems like a very accurate assessment to me.

In our conversation for this article, John – who, like me (and I’m sure many other out there) spent teenage afternoons holed up in local music shops – noted, “I do still feel like that kid in the music store and, in fact, maybe I should never lose that.” I believe strongly that he absolutely should never lose that mentality and, as importantly, based on what I know of the man I don’t think he ever will.

It’s a big change for NAMM and for MI, in general, but we’ve got the right person for the job and I look forward to what Mlynczak’s careful leadership will bring in the coming years. Thank you, Joe Lamond, for all you’ve accomplished, for all the wonderful initiatives and projects that NAMM has spearheaded during your tenure, and for being a friend. And I – like I’m sure all of our readers – welcome John as the new guiding light of our industry’s biggest organization.