Recent

Excelcia Music Publishing and Wingert-Jones Publications Announce ‘Ready Sets’ for Concert Band

August 5, 2025

Get Ready to Rock The 2026 NAMM Show: NAMM Celebrates 125 Years with Five-Days of Music, Innovation and Industry Legacy

August 4, 2025

Jessica Tropea Joins Neutrik Americas as Customer Solutions Engineer

August 4, 2025

It’s Back to School Season: Is Your Store Ready?

August 5, 2025

Neil Potter Promoted to Director of National Sales at Allen & Heath USA

August 1, 2025

Sonique Drums Unveils Poly Pro Slim Snare Wire Straps

August 1, 2025

NAMM Announces New Leadership Teams For Women of NAMM and NAMM Young Professionals

July 30, 2025

Jeff Mulvihill Appointed Combo Drum and Concert Percussion Brand Manager for KHS America

July 29, 2025
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
  • Contact
MMR Magazine
  • Subscribe Now!
    • Subscribe Now!
  • Advertise
  • Email Press Releases!
  • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
  • Newsroom
    • News
    • MMR Global
    • Supplier Scene
    • Upfront
    • People
  • Awards
    • Dealers’ Choice Awards Ballot 2024
    • Don Johnson Award Winners Archive
  • Directory
  • Get Support!
No Result
View All Result
  • Subscribe Now!
    • Subscribe Now!
  • Advertise
  • Email Press Releases!
  • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
  • Newsroom
    • News
    • MMR Global
    • Supplier Scene
    • Upfront
    • People
  • Awards
    • Dealers’ Choice Awards Ballot 2024
    • Don Johnson Award Winners Archive
  • Directory
  • Get Support!
No Result
View All Result
MMR Magazine
No Result
View All Result

Guitar Center Announces Changes to Leadership, Including Appointment of Gabriel Dalporto as Chief Executive Officer

Christian Wissmuller by Christian Wissmuller
November 1, 2023
in Upfront
0
938
SHARES
2.3k
VIEWS
Share on Facebook
ADVERTISEMENT

Guitar Center Holdings, Inc. (the “Company” or “Guitar Center”), the world’s largest omnichannel musical instrument retailer, announced on October 31 that Gabriel Dalporto has been named Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. The Company also announced today that Ken C. Hicks has been appointed Chairman of the Board, and Tim Martin is returning to Guitar Center in his prior role as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately.

Dalporto has been a member of the Company’s Board of Directors since December 2018 and brings to Guitar Center over 25 years of transformation experience at customer-centric organizations. He previously served in various C-suite roles at LendingTree, Inc., where he was instrumental in driving the company’s transition from a microcap, mortgage-focused marketplace to a multi-billion dollar, fully diversified financial services marketplace. During his tenure at LendingTree, Inc., Dalporto helped deliver one of the highest stock price appreciations of any company listed on the NASDAQ exchange at the time. Dalporto currently serves on LendingTree, Inc.’s board of directors. He most recently served as CEO of Udacity, an online education platform focused on digital upskilling and talent transformation.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Gabe has deep expertise in areas critical to advancing Guitar Center’s strategic initiatives, including digital transformation, customer acquisition and maintaining a best-in-class customer experience. As a Board member, his insights have been invaluable, and we are thrilled to welcome him as the Company’s next leader,” said the Company’s equity investors including funds managed by the Ares Private Equity Group, The Carlyle Group and Brigade Capital Management (collectively, “the Investor Group”).

Dalporto replaces Ron Japinga as CEO, and Japinga will no longer serve as a member of the Board, effective immediately.

The Investor Group continued: “We are confident that Gabe’s demonstrated track record of successful transformations, along with his strong operational and financial capabilities, will empower the team and accelerate our efforts to guide Guitar Center to sustainable, long-term growth. We also thank Ron for his contributions to Guitar Center. Under his leadership, the Company grew its revenue base and evolved from a brick-and-mortar retailer to an omnichannel platform. We wish him all the best in his next chapter.”

Dalporto stated: “Coming from a family of musicians, some of my fondest memories growing up were of visiting Guitar Center stores with my father where we obsessed over the incredible guitars and cutting- edge equipment. I look forward to continuing to enhance that same in-store experience for our customers while also leveraging my digital transformation expertise to meet customers wherever they shop. It’s rare in life to have one’s personal passions and professional interests align so perfectly, and I’m

thrilled to lead such an iconic brand into its next phase of growth.”

Ken C. Hicks Appointed Chairman of the Board

Guitar Center also announced that Ken C. Hicks has been appointed Chairman of the Board, effective immediately. Hicks is a seasoned retail industry executive bringing over 40 years of operations and management experience. He currently serves as the Executive Chairman of Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc., and previously served as Chairman, President and CEO of the company, where he led its transition to becoming a public company. Prior to that, he served as the Chairman, President and CEO of Foot Locker, Inc. and has held leadership positions at J.C. Penney, Payless ShoeSource, Home Shopping Network, May Department Stores Company, and McKinsey & Company. Hicks currently serves on the board of directors of Avery Dennison Corporation and previously served on the board of directors of Whole Foods Market.

Hicks stated: “It’s an honor to serve as Guitar Center’s Board Chairman as the Company continues its transformation to becoming the ultimate online and in-store destination for music services, products and experiences. I look forward to working with Gabe, the Board and leadership team, as well as the thousands of talented employees across the organization to advance Guitar Center’s long-term strategy.”

Tim Martin Returns as Chief Financial Officer

Additionally, the Company announced that Tim Martin is returning to Guitar Center as Chief Financial Officer, a position he held from 2012-2022, effective immediately. Martin is an accomplished financial and operational leader, bringing more than 25 years of experience at multiple consumer-facing companies including Torrid, Lands’ End, Gap, Disney, Coldwater Creek and Amgen.

Martin stated: “I am excited to return to the Company and work with Gabe as we enter this next phase of growth. I look forward to building on our strong financial foundation and capitalizing on the significant opportunities ahead. I also look forward to maintaining strong relationships with our partners as we continue to collaborate in serving musicians around the world.”

The Investor Group added: “Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for Guitar Center, our employees and our valued customers. The appointments of Gabe and Ken, as well as Tim’s return, will bring substantial new capabilities to the Company that will allow us to unlock new growth opportunities. Gabe’s transformation and digital expertise combined with Ken’s retail experience, along with Tim’s extensive knowledge of the Company and industry, position Guitar Center well for long-term success.”

Tags: Guitar Center
Previous Post

Aguilar Amplification Unveils Limited-edition Amplifiers and Custom-color SL Cabinets

Next Post

VME Become Martin Audio’s Largest Rental Partner of MLA

Related Posts

MMR Global

Get Ready to Rock The 2026 NAMM Show: NAMM Celebrates 125 Years with Five-Days of Music, Innovation and Industry Legacy

August 4, 2025
MMR Global

NAMM Announces New Leadership Teams For Women of NAMM and NAMM Young Professionals

July 30, 2025
MMR Global

NAMM’s Top 100 Dealer Awards Rebranded as The NAMM Retail Awards

July 21, 2025
Upfront

Guitar Center Launches First-ever In-store AI Shopping Assistant in Music Retail

July 21, 2025
MMR Global

ESP Guitars Distributes Morley Pedals in Latin America

July 21, 2025
Upfront

UK distributor John Hornby Skewes & Co. Ltd., (JHS) Closing

July 18, 2025
Next Post

VME Become Martin Audio’s Largest Rental Partner of MLA

Please login to join discussion
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest

Get Ready to Rock The 2026 NAMM Show: NAMM Celebrates 125 Years with Five-Days of Music, Innovation and Industry Legacy

August 4, 2025

It’s Back to School Season: Is Your Store Ready?

August 5, 2025
Tom Capo

KPODJ: The Gold Standard In Pro Audio Retail

January 26, 2017

Excelcia Music Publishing and Wingert-Jones Publications Announce ‘Ready Sets’ for Concert Band

August 5, 2025

Excelcia Music Publishing and Wingert-Jones Publications Announce ‘Ready Sets’ for Concert Band

Get Ready to Rock The 2026 NAMM Show: NAMM Celebrates 125 Years with Five-Days of Music, Innovation and Industry Legacy

Jessica Tropea Joins Neutrik Americas as Customer Solutions Engineer

It’s Back to School Season: Is Your Store Ready?

Excelcia Music Publishing and Wingert-Jones Publications Announce ‘Ready Sets’ for Concert Band

August 5, 2025

Get Ready to Rock The 2026 NAMM Show: NAMM Celebrates 125 Years with Five-Days of Music, Innovation and Industry Legacy

August 4, 2025

Jessica Tropea Joins Neutrik Americas as Customer Solutions Engineer

August 4, 2025

It’s Back to School Season: Is Your Store Ready?

August 5, 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
The Latest News and Gear in Your Inbox - Sign Up Today!
  • August 2025

    Articles | Digital Issue
  • July 2025

    Articles | Digital Issue
  • June 2025

    Articles | Digital Issue
  • May 2025

    Articles | Digital Issue
  • April 2025

    Articles | Digital Issue
© 2005 - 2025 artistpro, LLC
7012 City Center Way, Suite 207
Fairview, Tennessee 37062
(800) 682-8114

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Subscribe Now!
    • Subscribe Now!
  • Advertise
  • Email Press Releases!
  • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
  • Newsroom
    • News
    • MMR Global
    • Supplier Scene
    • Upfront
    • People
  • Awards
    • Dealers’ Choice Awards Ballot 2024
    • Don Johnson Award Winners Archive
  • Directory
  • Get Support!

© 2005 – 2024 artistpro, LLC 7012 City Center Way, Suite 207 Fairview, Tennessee 37062 (800) 682-8114

This is Modal Title

Click Me
Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?