Jamie Deering Appointed CEO of Deering Banjos

Greg, Jamie, and Janet Deering (photo: Heather Sali)

Deering Banjo Company has announced the appointment of Jamie Deering to the position of CEO.  Jamie Deering has been an integral part of Deering Banjo Company from a very young age.  

“Stepping into this role has been a process of learning, and over the last year gradually taking on aspects of it. My view is looking at the next 20 years of Deering with a vision in the direction of streamlining our processes, and towards even greater efficiency to the benefit of all who work at Deering, and all our current and future customers.” 

She attended her first NAMM trade show when she was just 6 weeks old, being the newborn daughter of Deering Banjos Founders Greg and Janet Deering at NAMM in 1979.  Throughout her growing years she worked both production and administrative positions, gaining experience in every aspect of their family company. Later taking on management roles Jamie has succeeded in every area where she has worked at Deering Banjos, most recently in holding the position of VP Public Relations since 2017. 

Jamie continues “We have the mission as a company: to champion the banjo and inspire freedom of creativity around the globe by supplying the best quality, American made banjos available to players of all abilities. This, and our company values will not change and are stronger than ever. Our efficiency and ease in how we accomplish it will be a larger focus. We are more than a company that builds banjos, we are a company made up of people who are passionate about taking care of our customers. We take great pleasure in seeing the cultural and emotional uplift that music brings to individuals and communities and are proud to do our part through the banjos we make.” 

Janet Deering who has been the CEO for 44 years will be enjoying more flexibility, focusing on her role as Co-Founder along with Greg Deering. She will continue to be a valuable mentor at Executive Meetings. She welcomes Jamie’s new role and the freedom to work on new projects with Greg. 

Greg Deering expounds, “We are delighted and very excited to have Jamie become the CEO of Deering Banjo Company, to take it into the next generation.  While Janet and I have accomplished a lot in 44 years, Jamie, if anything, has more horsepower and is smarter than we are.  She has stellar people and communication skills. Deering Banjo Company will see a wonderful and expanded banjo world with Jamie as our CEO.” 

Jamie Deering took the lead role in creating the Julia Belle model coordinating with Grammy Award winning Alison Brown and Greg Deering in designing this model and worked closely with the Deering marketing team to launch it to the world successfully. She has been instrumental in bringing on many new artists such as Mumford & Sons, Dropkick Murphys, Alison Brown, Elle King, Ashley Campbell, Morat, Judah & the Lion, American Authors, Flogging Molly and many others. While doing all the above she has managed Deering social media platforms, as well as all the Charity Banjo Auctions in partnership with Mumford & Sons. 

Her leadership and ability to coordinate a group has been a great asset.  With an eye toward the future the Executive Team at Deering is made up of strong players. The Deering VP Administration, Jamie Latty has been with Deering since 2010 and quickly moved up the ranks to become one of their top execs. In this role he is at the helm over Sales, Marketing and Customer Service. British born, Jamie has spent the past 14 years in MI, beginning his career in the Service Department at Fender’s UK offices, before moving into Sales and Marketing with FMIC Europe where he handled international distribution for all FMIC brands, as well as Taylor Guitars. After meeting his wife, Jamie moved to San Diego where he has spent the last 9 years working alongside Jamie Deering, under the guidance of Deering founders, Greg and Janet Deering.  

As Jamie Latty shares “This is truly an exciting time. Jamie has proven already that she brings a more progressive vision to Deering’s leadership, offering exciting ideas, all the while upholding the legacy that her parents built over the last 45 years. Jamie, Chad and myself work really well together, and we intend to focus the next year realigning, becoming more efficient as a company, offering even better value to our customers and making sure that we live up to being the great American banjo company in every way.”    

Chad Kopotic, a veteran Master Craftsman on the team holds the position of Deering VP Operations. Having personally worked in every area of production over his career at Deering he is now the expert overseeing all manufacturing processes as well as new and custom product design. Chad headed up the design of the Goodtime Artisan Series, as well as the new Winston Marshall Signature Model and Mumford & Sons GOTR Goodtime Banjo. He has worked closely under Greg for many years learning manufacturing and design work and is an integral part of the team taking Deering into the future.  

“I’ve been part of the Deering Banjo family for 23 years and really look forward to the what the future holds with Jamie Deering taking over as CEO. It’s awesome to see the business that Greg and Janet started continuing under the Deering name. She shares the same vision that started this company, of striving to bring the versatility of the banjo into every genre of music. I’m excited to be part of the team that will work directly with Jamie to continue making instruments that bring music to life.”  

Janet added “Having a thriving family business has been our goal and making banjos in America while being a part of the backbone of industry in the USA is also key to what we are as a company. We are proud to have Jamie carry this mission forward. I have confidence in her abilities and that of our Executive Team. Deering Banjos will continue to spread the gospel of banjos and the joy of playing music on the banjo around the world.”