NAMM Announces Eight New Board Members Joining in 2025

	"NAMM is eternally grateful to the talented coalition of industry leaders that continue to volunteer their time to guide our organization into the future," says Mlynczak.

NAMM reports that eight newly elected board members will join its board of directors. They will serve a three-year term through January 2028. The board consists of 24 directors elected by the NAMM membership, each serving three-year terms in slates of eigh. The members were announced during the annual meeting of members at the NAMM Show.

"NAMM is eternally grateful to the talented coalition of industry leaders that continue to volunteer their time to guide our organization into the future," says John Mlynczak, NAMM president and CEO.

The new members are:

Mayumi Allison is the CEO and second-generation leader of Hosa Technology, Inc., a global provider of analog and digital connectivity solutions for the music and professional audio industries, based in Buena Park, California. She holds an MBA from Pepperdine Graziadio Business School and a BA in business marketing, with a minor in Japanese from California State University, Fullerton. Hosa Technology, Inc. has been a NAMM member since 1987.

Betty Bennett is the CEO and co-founder of Apogee Electronics Corporation, a Santa Monica-based specialist in audio solutions for professionals and content creators. Since founding Apogee in 1985, she has spearheaded the development of industry-standard technologies, earning the company 19 TEC Awards. A passionate advocate for sustainability, she has transformed Apogee into a certified green business while supporting charitable initiatives and environmental causes. She also champions opportunities for women and drives Apogee's focus on cutting-edge tools for Dolby ATMOS, Spatial Audio, and beyond. Apogee has been a NAMM member since 2022.

Jenna Day owns Day Violins LLC, located in Chantilly, Virginia. She is heavily involved with DC Council Members and other advocacy work and serves as a leader of Fairfax Arts Coalition for Education. She holds degrees in family life sciences, gerontology, and Spanish from Brigham Young University and in hospice and grief counseling. She enjoys being a hobby piano artist. Day Violins LLC has been a NAMM member since 2014.

Jeremiah Manriquez is president, CEO, and owner of Pecknel Music Company, Inc., based in Greenville, South Carolina. The company offers many services, from instrument lessons and rentals to sheet music and repair services. It actively supports music education in South Carolina communities through service offerings, instrument donations, and financial contributions. Pecknel Music Co, Inc. has been a NAMM member since 1962.

Tim Pratt is the president and owner of Dietze Music, which has locations in Omaha, Lincoln, and Bellevue, Nebraska. The store in Lincoln opened in 1925 to provide musical instruments and lessons for the locals and, to this day, continues to serve the area's musicians. He has received several honors, including the Lincoln Symphony Golden Baton Award, the Nebraska Music Educators Outstanding Exhibitor Award, the Nebraska Music Educators Distinguished Service Award, and the NAMM Top 100 Best Marketing Award. Dietze Music has been a NAMM member since 1974.

Thomas Ripsam is president and CEO of C.F. Martin & Co., Inc., in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, founded in 1833. He has served in the position since 2021. He is a guitar player who's passionate about fretted instruments. He holds a BA in international business management from Reutlingen University and an MBA from Columbia Business School. C.F. Martin & Co., Inc. has been a NAMM member since 1947.

Tom Tedesco is president and CEO of The Music People, located in Berlin, Connecticut. He started at The Music People in 2010 and has served in many roles before being promoted to president and CEO in 2021. A native of Connecticut, he received his BS degree in business administration and master's degree in management from the University of Connecticut. The Music People has been a NAMM member since 1979.

Hans Thomann is CEO of Thomann Musikhaus, a retailer of musical instruments, studio, lighting, and pro audio equipment based in Burgebrach, Germany. He was originally trained as a precision electronic engineer and brass instrument maker. Thomann Musikhaus has received several honors, including the Deutscher Handelspreis German Retail Award; Family Company Hall of Fame, awarded by Handelsblatt; and Mail Order Business of the Year, Germany. Thomann Musikhaus has been a NAMM member since 1992.

Tom Sumner, NAMM chair, thanked the outgoing board members during the annual meeting of members and lauded their ideas and expertise, which have benefited the organization and its members. They are Roger Hart (TKL Products Corp), DeDe Heid (Heid Music Company), Elizabeth Heidt (Gibson), Adam Levin (Chuck Levin's Washington Music Center), Lana Negrete (Santa Monica Music Center), Paul Tobias (Tobias Music), Ray Williams (Music Marketing) and Steve Zapf (Conn-Selmer).

For a full list of current NAMM board of directors and executive committee members, go to www.namm.org/about/board-members.