Conn Selmer Appoints John Fulton as President and CEO

Conn Selmer, a leading manufacturer and distributor of musical instruments, today announced the appointment of John Fulton as President and CEO, effective May 12, 2025. Fulton succeeds Stephen Zapf, who has served in this position since 2019.

Fulton brings over 28 years of experience in the music industry, with a career spanning retail, sales, and executive leadership, and has dedicated his professional life to advancing the industry. He has been with Conn Selmer since 2017, most recently serving as Senior Vice President, overseeing Sales and Customer Service for the Americas and Asia Pacific, Marketing, and the Division of Education (DOE). Since joining Conn Selmer eight years ago, Fulton has played a pivotal role in driving strategic initiatives, implementing new processes that have significantly improved operational efficiency, and contributing to several successful program and product launches.

Under Zapf’s leadership, Conn Selmer celebrated its 150th anniversary of American domestic production, and the launch of a new student lineup in 2024. As Conn Selmer continues to expand its global market presence, Fulton will be invaluable in guiding the company’s path forward.

“I’m honored to step into the role of CEO,” said John Fulton. “As Conn Selmer continues to expand globally, we remain firmly rooted in our U.S.-based manufacturing and committed to delivering instruments that reflect our 750 years of combined brand heritage while setting new standards for quality and performance.

“At the heart of our success is our dealer network. Supporting our dealers and deepening those relationships will be a top priority as we move forward. I look forward to working alongside our exceptional leadership team to champion what makes Conn Selmer exceptional: our dedicated employees, world-class artists and clinicians, trusted dealers, and the partners who share our mission to inspire the next generation of musicians.”