Gibson Announces Planned Leadership Transition

Gibson leadership transition

President and Chief Executive Officer Cesar Gueikian moves into strategic Board of Directors and advisory role; Chief Commercial Officer Anne Rohosy appointed Interim President & Chief Executive Officer as Board commences search for permanent successor

Gibson, Inc. has announced that President and CEO Cesar Gueikian is stepping back from his operating role, transitioning into a strategic advisor position on the company’s Board of Directors effective July 31, 2026. Gueikian will remain active at Gibson as global artist ambassador and strategic thought partner to leadership. Anne Rohosy, currently Chief Commercial Officer, will serve as Interim President and CEO while the Board works with an executive search firm to find a permanent successor.

Nat Zilkha, Executive Chairman of Gibson’s Board, thanked Gueikian for 13 years of leadership, crediting him with rebuilding the company’s foundation. He said Gueikian is stepping back from day-to-day operations to refocus on his passion for working directly with artists, while remaining part of the Gibson family as a Board member, advisor, and ambassador.

Gueikian called leading Gibson the honor of his life, pointing to what he and the team built together, including the culture, artist relationships, and global community. He said he has full confidence in Rohosy and is looking forward to his next chapter as a shareholder, Board member, and artist ambassador.

Rohosy said she’s honored to step into the role at such an important moment, noting her focus on customer connection and growing the Gibson name will stay the same. She said she’s looking forward to working with Gueikian, the Board, and the leadership team to ensure continuity.

Zilkha added that Rohosy has a deep understanding of Gibson’s brands, customers, and people, along with a strong record building global businesses, and that the Board has full confidence in her ability to guide a smooth transition.

Reflecting on Gueikian’s tenure, guitarist and producer Slash credited him with reintroducing quality, integrity, and passion into Gibson’s business, and for keeping the guitars themselves the paramount focus of the company.

About Anne Rohosy

Rohosy joined Gibson in 2021 and was named Chief Commercial Officer in 2025, overseeing global commercial strategy across wholesale, direct-to-consumer, and retail. She previously served as Chief Human Resources and Impact Officer and as Managing Director of Gibson Amplifiers. She brings more than 30 years of experience from companies including Levi Strauss & Co. and Nike, with a background in brand building, P&L management, and global market expansion.

About Gibson

Gibson, founded in 1894 and headquartered in Nashville, has shaped the sound of generations of musicians for over 130 years. The Gibson portfolio includes Gibson, Epiphone, Kramer, MESA/Boogie, KRK, and Maestro.

Media Contacts: Libby Coffey, Prime PR Group (for Gibson); Emily Claffey/Columbia Clancy, FGS Global

Guitar Center Appoints Reverb Founder David Kalt to Board of Directors

David Kalt
David Kalt
David Kalt

Music industry entrepreneur who built and sold Reverb brings firsthand experience in digital marketplaces and music retail to Guitar Center’s next phase of growth

Guitar Center, the world’s largest retailer of musical instruments, has named David Kalt an independent member of its Board of Directors. Kalt founded Reverb, the online marketplace that reshaped how musicians buy and sell new, used, and vintage gear, and previously acquired and grew Chicago Music Exchange, one of the most recognized vintage and collectible instrument destinations in the country.

Guitar Center CEO Gabe Dalporto framed the move as part of the company’s turnaround, noting the business had gone from eight straight quarters of decline to nine consecutive quarters of growth, and said Kalt’s experience building Reverb from the ground up will inform what comes next for the company.

Kalt’s background spans music retail, digital marketplaces, and tech-driven business building. After acquiring Chicago Music Exchange, he spotted gaps in how gear got bought and sold online, which led directly to Reverb’s creation. That platform went on to reshape the used and vintage gear market before Etsy acquired it for $275 million. Before Reverb, Kalt co-founded optionsXpress, which eventually went public and was acquired by Charles Schwab for $1 billion.

Beyond Reverb and Chicago Music Exchange, Kalt has founded and led several other tech companies, including early CRM platform ClientBASE. He’s a regular contributor to The Wall Street Journal and Forbes and got his start as a recording engineer and producer. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a master’s in computer science from DePaul.

Kalt said he’s excited to join the board and support Guitar Center’s continued innovation across stores, digital, services, and community, adding that music retail works best when it inspires creativity, builds trust, and helps people find the right gear for their sound.

About Guitar Center

Guitar Center is the leading U.S. retailer of musical instruments, lessons, repairs, and rentals, with more than 300 stores nationwide. Its family of brands includes Music & Arts, Musician’s Friend, and Guitar Center Business Solutions.

Press contact: media@guitarcenter.com

Hagstrom Guitars Relaunches in the North America With MMS Music Distribution Leadership

 Hagstrom Guitars, the iconic Swedish guitar brand known for its rich legacy, innovative designs, and devoted artist following, has officially relaunched in North America under new distribution leadership.

With a celebrated legacy of crafting instruments played by legends including Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Kurt Cobain and Pat Smear, Hagstrom is poised to captivate a new generation of American musicians with its unique blend of heritage, innovation, and unparalleled playability.  

After years of anticipation from North American retailers, collectors, and players, the brand is now positioned to once again become a leading name in musical instrument stores.

The new distribution company MMS Music is being spearheaded by Michael Mascellaro, a veteran in the musical instrument industry with over 25 years of international experience. “We’re thrilled to reintroduce Hagstrom to North America,” said Michael Mascellaro. “Hagstrom has an undeniable legacy, its designs are unique, its build quality is unmatched, and its artist roster is a testament to its staying power. I’ve worked across the global MI industry for more than two decades, and it’s truly an honor to represent such a storied brand here in North America.”

“As we recently celebrated Hagstrom’s 100th anniversary in 2025, we’re proud to mark the occasion with a firm return to the North American market commencing in 2026”, said Karl Erik Hagstrom. “North American players have always been an essential part of our legacy, and we’re excited to once again offer them the instruments that reflect a century of innovation, craftsmanship, and dedication to music.”

Hagstrom’s “official relaunch” came in January at NAMM 2026 in Anaheim, showcasing their full product line of electric guitars and basses, including reissues of beloved vintage models like the Viking and newer innovations that reflect Hagstrom’s signature blend of tradition and forward-thinking design including the Fantomen, Krona. Adina, Megin and Nekromant models.

Retailers and musicians alike can expect improved availability, service, and support as Hagstrom establishes a stronger footprint In the USA and Canada.

The ESP Guitar Company Announces Executive Leadership Changes

ESP Guitars, one of the world’s most respected guitar and bass manufacturers, has announced that Matt Masciandaro, the company’s president and CEO of the brand’s USA operations for the past 39 years, has decided to retire. Moving into Masciandaro’s former role as president is Todd Binder, who has spent more than three decades at the company, and most recently has served as ESP’s vice president of product development. ESP celebrated its 50th year in business in 2025.

“On behalf of ESP Japan, I wish to express our sincere gratitude to Matt for his many years of dedicated service and his steadfast commitment to advancing Mr. Shibuya’s vision in the United States and across the world,” says Mr. Fujimori, Chairman, ESP Group. “His contributions to the ESP brand have been invaluable, and the foundation he has built will endure for years to come. We congratulate him and wish him the very best.”

Founded by Hisatake Shibuya in 1975 as a small instrument service shop in Tokyo, Japan, ESP Guitars became a global success after opening its first US offices in 1985. Matt Masciandaro, who’d previously worked as a tech and a tour manager for bands including Aerosmith, Motörhead, Dokken, and others, joined the company soon after, and was quickly tapped to lead the then-new ESP USA division. At the time, ESP’s USA headquarters was based in a small loft apartment in Lower Manhattan, New York.

The brand grew exponentially under Masciandaro’s leadership. He relocated ESP’s USA headquarters, first in 1989 to New York’s 48th Street to be in close proximity to the city’s famed music stores, and then a few years later to California with an office in Hollywood on Sunset Boulevard. As ESP quickly grew, Masciandaro moved the company to a location in North Hollywood, and then again to its current USA HQ location in Los Angeles.

In 1996, Masciandaro and Binder were instrumental in the launch of ESP’s LTD Series, which made use of ESP’s instrument designs but were manufactured as high-quality, mass-produced guitars and basses using higher volume OEM factories outside of Japan. LTD — with manufacturing coordinated by the USA team — allowed for a significant expansion of ESP’s revenues and global customer base, and Masciandaro’s US-based team was tasked with the worldwide sales and marketing operations of the ESP brand. In 2013, Masciandaro opened the company’s first US-based manufacturing facility where the high-end ESP USA Series is produced.

“I am both proud and humbled by the trust that Mr. Shibuya placed in me back in 1987 when I was chosen to lead ESP’s USA operations,” says Masciandaro. “A lot of this job was ‘learn as you go,’ but most of the time, we went above and beyond both our own expectations and those of ESP in Japan. I have nothing but the highest degree of confidence that with Todd at the helm, ESP will continue long into the future in its position as an innovative, high-quality provider of musical instruments.”

“Matt has been a dedicated leader and a true champion for this brand, and I’m grateful for every year I’ve had the privilege of working alongside him,” says Todd Binder, newly-named president of The ESP Guitar Company. “This company’s success has always been a collective effort — rooted in Mr. Shibuya’s founding vision, strengthened by the outstanding team at ESP Japan, and driven every day by the talented and passionate people we have here in the US. I’m honored to carry that legacy forward, and I couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead for ESP.”

More information on ESP Guitars is available on the ESP web site at www.espguitars.com.

Reverb names Ben Stahl as new Chief Executive Officer

Reverb, the largest online marketplace dedicated to music gear, today announced that Ben Stahl has been named as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

“Over the past 12 years, I’ve admired the vibrant platform Reverb has built for musicians across the globe, and I’m honored to be part of the community,” said Stahl. “Whether we’re launching new product features to empower buyers and sellers or unlocking new modes of sonic expression for players through Reverb content, our mission remains the same: to make the world more musical.”

Stahl’s appointment follows his leadership roles at community-driven creator platforms SoundCloud and Vimeo, where he focused on user feedback to inform product improvements and drive business growth. At SoundCloud, Stahl launched artist-focused mastering and distribution tools and piloted user-centric royalties to help independent musicians earn more for their work. At Vimeo, Stahl introduced creator-focused features including Vimeo Live Streaming, seamless video editor integrations, and the fastest uploading experience on the Internet. 

At Reverb, Stahl plans to put the platform’s thriving community of buyers, sellers, creators, and brands at the forefront of every decision, leaning into the marketplace’s newfound independence to create exceptional products that serve musicians of all levels and unlock growth across the global MI industry.

In the last six months, Reverb’s efforts to better connect music makers with gear through features such as Wallet and sell in-store have helped sellers discover increased demand from musicians eager to try out different guitars, synths, pedals, and more. Looking ahead, a greater focus on building symbiotic partnerships with sellers will be key to Reverb’s mission, as will introducing buyers with gear they’ll love, helping Reverb play a greater role in uplifting the entire musical instrument industry.

Reverb to become privately held again

Two new investors with ties to the music industry—Creator Partners and Servco—have entered an agreement to purchase Reverb from Etsy 

Today, music gear marketplace Reverb announced that two new investors—Creator Partners and Servco—have entered an agreement to purchase Reverb from Etsy. Once the deal closes, Reverb will be a privately-held, independently operated company backed by two investors that share Reverb’s experience in the music industry and focus on supporting musicians. 

“Creator Partners and Servco share our passion for the musical instruments industry and a community-first approach, plus a deep desire to strengthen creative industries,” said David Mandelbrot, CEO at Reverb. “The musicians, shops, and brands who use Reverb have always been at the center of all that we do, and these two partners will help us support our music-making community in new and better ways.”

Known for their focus on the digital transformation of creative industries, Creator Partners is an investment company currently investing in music companies including BMI, SoundCloud, Color Studios and Mogul.

“Reverb is the #1 global marketplace for musicians, and a one-of-a-kind platform that has transformed access to quality used gear for creators of all levels” said Kerry Trainor, Creator Partners Founder and former CEO of SoundCloud and Vimeo, “We are thrilled to join the Reverb mission to make the world more musical, and grow the entire industry through seamless secondhand commerce.”

Servco has been involved in the musical instrument industry since 1937, including a long history with Fender—first as a dealer of Fender music gear in the 1950s, then as part of the group that bought the company from CBS in 1985  and now as the majority owner of the company, as well as an active investor in other musical instruments businesses.

“We are thrilled and honored to be a part of Reverb’s continued success,” said Executive Chair of Servco, Mark Fukunaga. “For nearly 90 years, Servco has been deeply involved in musical instruments and music education programs. And we remain committed to being good stewards of leading musical instrument companies, like Reverb, and supporting players everywhere in pursuing their passion to create music.”

When the deal closes in the coming months, Reverb will return to being an independent business. According to Mandelbrot, buyers and sellers won’t notice any disruption as a result of this news, but he does expect the Reverb community to notice positive changes and new innovations in the coming months as the team continues to focus on making Reverb the best place to buy and sell music gear. 

“We’ve got a lot of exciting changes in the works. We’re expanding access to music-making software on Reverb and we’re getting ready to pilot a new option for selling that allows musicians to get paid faster, while skipping the listing and shipping process. Our teams are working on improving our search functionality, making it easier to ship, and shortening the time it takes to resolve support issues,” said Mandelbrot. “All and all, there’s a lot for our community to look forward to and I’m very excited about what’s coming as we move forward as an independent company again.” 

Hosa Technology Names Jon Croft as Director of Marketing, Jason Lynn as Brand Marketing Manager

Hosa Technology, Inc., a leading supplier of audio, video, and data connectivity solutions, is pleased to announce two key appointments: Jon Croft has been named as the company’s new Director of Marketing, and Jason Lynn has been tapped as its new Brand Marketing Manager. 

Jon Croft brings a wealth of experience in music marketing and digital strategy to the Director of Marketing role, where he will lead the company’s marketing efforts to drive growth and brand awareness in the MI/Retail space while also reaching into new markets in the AV Pro Installation and Integration markets. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Jon to the Hosa team,” says Mayumi Allison, CEO of Hosa Technology. “His proven track record of success in developing and executing integrated marketing campaigns, combined with his passion for our industry and connecting with audiences, makes him the ideal person to lead our marketing department into the future.” 

Croft joins Hosa from idfive, a digital marketing agency, where he served as Media Account Manager, developing and implementing digital marketing and media strategies for a variety of clients. Prior to idfive, he held marketing and sales leadership positions at music product manufacturers Mojotone and Ovation Guitars. 

“As a longtime user of Hosa products, I am excited to join Hosa and contribute to the company’s continued success,” says Croft. “Hosa is a respected brand with a rich history in the music industry and production spaces, and I look forward to working with the talented team to develop and implement innovative marketing strategies that connect with customers and drive business growth.” 

Croft holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Maryland.

In his role as Brand Marketing Manager, Jason Lynn will be instrumental in driving the company’s brand development, content creation, and customer experience. 

Lynn brings to Hosa Technology a wealth of experience as an accomplished senior creative strategist specializing in art direction, branding, and graphic design. He is known for delivering impactful solutions that drive successful products and marketing campaigns. A collaborative leader, Lynn excels in orchestrating design initiatives. 

“Jason’s creative vision will be pivotal as we evolve our brand and enhance our customer experience in alignment with our strategic goals,” said Jon Croft, Director of Marketing at Hosa Technology. 

Lynn’s career includes significant roles in the music technology industry, including positions at Yamaha Guitar Group and Line 6, where he led successful brand and product design initiatives. He has also worked as a freelance consultant, providing creative direction and design services to a variety of clients. 

Lynn holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Southern Arkansas University.

Hosa Technology CEO Mayumi Allison Elected to NAMM Board of Directors

Hosa Technology, Inc., a leading global provider of analog and digital connectivity solutions for the music and professional audio industries, is proud to announce that its CEO, Mayumi Allison, has been elected to the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Board of Directors.
Allison joins a distinguished group of industry leaders who will serve a three-year term, providing oversight and support of NAMM’s vision, mission, and objectives. The NAMM Board of Directors consists of 24 members elected by the NAMM membership.
“I am honored to be elected to the NAMM Board of Directors,” said Allison. “NAMM plays a vital role in supporting the music industry, and I look forward to working with my fellow board members to advance the organization’s mission and serve its members.”
As CEO of Hosa Technology, Allison leads a company that has been a NAMM member since 1987. She holds an MBA from Pepperdine Graziadio Business School and a B.A. in business marketing, with a minor in Japanese from California State University, Fullerton.
Allison’s election to the NAMM Board was announced at the 2025 NAMM Show during its annual meeting of members. She joins seven other newly elected board members:

Betty Bennett – CEO and Co-Founder, Apogee Electronics Corp.
Jenna Day – Owner, Day Violins LLC
Jeremiah Manriquez – President, CEO and Owner, Pecknel Music Co., Inc.
Tim Pratt – President and Owner, Dietze Music House
Thomas Ripsam – President and CEO, C.F. Martin & Co., Inc.
Tom Tedesco – President and CEO, The Music People
Hans Thomann – CEO, Thomann Musikhaus

Orange Amplification Announce New Managing Director: Sarah Yule

Orange Amplification is pleased to announce Sarah Yule is the company’s new Managing Director.
 
A respected member of the Music and Pro-Audio Industries, Yule has forged a leadership career working with some of the best-known brands including KEF, Audio Technica and ROLI where she won a Top 25 Women in Tech Award. With more than twenty years industry experience she will bring a wealth of knowledge to her new role.
 
‘Sarah will play a key part in the company’s goals, and we all look forward to Sarah joining us’ said CEO Cliff Cooper.
 
Commenting on her appointment Sarah Yule said ‘I am delighted to begin working with such an iconic and well-respected brand as Orange. I look forward to building on all its heritage and becoming part of its exciting future. I am truly thrilled to be part of the Orange Groupvgoing forward.’
 
For more information on Orange Amplifiers please visit Orange https://orangeamps.com/

Guitar Center appoints Jerry Brandehoff as Chief Merchandising Officer

 Guitar Center, the world’s largest retailer of musical instruments, announces the appointment of Jerry Brandehoff to the position Chief Merchandising Officer, joining the company’s Executive Team on February 3. The announcement was made by Gabe Dalporto, Guitar Center CEO, and reflects the company’s ongoing growth initiatives.

“Jerry is a dynamic and inspirational retail executive with over 30 years of experience leading merchandising and product teams for world-class global brands,” said Dalporto. “Through his leadership style, he is dedicated to empowering teams, driving performance, and fostering collaboration. He was selected after an extensive search, and he stood out as the clear leader to help deliver our critical strategic priorities this year.”

In his new position, Brandehoff will lead Guitar Center’s merchandising organization, which encompasses buying and planning of general merchandise and private label brands for Guitar Center across all channels. Dalporto continues, “This is a critically important role as we transform our assortment to serve the serious musician, with the outcome of accelerated revenue growth, margin expansion, improved customer satisfaction, tight inventory management, and ultimately, market share gains.”

Brandehoff joins Guitar Center from Wayfair, where he most recently held the position of Chief Merchant, as well as additional leadership roles during his tenure. Previously he held leadership positions with Gap Inc, PVH, and Williams Sonoma Inc. He will be based out of Guitar Center’s Support Center in Westlake Village, CA.  

“I am both thrilled and honored to be joining the leadership team at Guitar Center,” said Brandehoff. “Music and musical instruments play such an important role in the lives of musicians and fans alike, and Guitar Center has been at the heart of this for generations. I started playing the saxophone in elementary school, and fully appreciate the power that music and instruments can unleash on an individual. I look forward to taking guitar and keyboard lessons through the Guitar Center Lessons program.”