SANTA MONICA, CA. (Recording Academy press release) - As part of its ongoing restructuring, the Recording Academy(R) announced Daryl Friedman as Vice President, Advocacy and Government Relations and Doug Gore as Vice President, Asset Management and Production. Michele Rhea Caplinger and Jon Hornyak were promoted to Senior Executive Directors of the Atlanta and
Memphis Chapters respectively, and Ben London was named Executive
Director of the Academy's Pacific Northwest Chapter.
"We're pleased to announce these new appointments as the Academy strives to grow and improve its operational infrastructure," said Recording Academy President Neil Portnow. "As the Academy continues to roll out an ambitious agenda to advance the rights of the music community, Daryl enhances his role as primary liaison for the Academy's national advocacy initiatives, while Doug's extensive knowledge and service will help us assess and manage the assets we've acquired throughout the organization's history - particularly as the GRAMMY Awards approaches its 50th anniversary. Additionally, our field staff continues to successfully reach out and address the issues of our artist community and Academy constituency around the country. We're proud of their accomplishments and look forward to continued growth."
Daryl Friedman, Vice President, Advocacy and Government Relations
Friedman serves as the base for the Academy's national advocacy initiatives, and oversees legislative issues to support its artist constituency. He works closely with Congress as an advisor to the U.S. House of Representatives' Recording Arts and Sciences Caucus to educate legislators on the needs of the music community. In addition, Friedman works with the Academy's other Chapters to create events and educational activities for members, as well as develop industry summits (both private and public) to address community issues. Friedman has been the Executive Director of the Academy's Washington, D.C. Chapter since its inception in 1997. An arts and government affairs professional for more than 20 years, Friedman oversees the Academy's GRAMMY Cultural Policy Initiative, a series of programs and activities to advance the rights of the music community through advocacy, education, and dialogue. Before joining the Academy, he directed external affairs for the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. He serves on the Board of SoundExchange, the Advisory Board of the National Music Museum and Center, and was named Executive of the Year (2000) by the Washington Area Music Association.
Doug Gore, Vice President, Asset Management and Production
Gore has been at the Recording Academy for more than 13 years, most recently serving as Senior Director of the Awards Department. As VP, Asset Management and Production, Gore is responsible for identifying and maintaining the Recording Academy's extensive media archives, and for repurposing those assets through the production of commercial and educational media products using new technologies. Prior to joining the Academy, Gore was an information systems specialist in the aerospace industry and served on the Board of Directors for the Information Systems Security Association. Gore also is an accomplished touring and recording artist, having performed on world concert tours with Lou Rawls, Chuck Mangione, and numerous recordings and TV specials, as well as having composed and produced music for network sitcoms and documentaries.
Michele Rhea Caplinger, Senior Executive Director, Atlanta Chapter
Michele Rhea Caplinger has been promoted to Senior Executive Director of the Recording Academy Atlanta Chapter. She has been with the Atlanta Chapter for four years and has a background in publicity and promotions.
Jon Hornyak, Senior Executive Director, Memphis Chapter
Jon Hornyak has been promoted to Senior Executive Director of the Memphis Chapter. Hornyak's background includes experience as a live and studio musician, producer, engineer, studio owner and artist manager.
During their tenure as Executive Directors both Caplinger and Hornyak have seen outstanding growth in programs and community outreach in their respective Chapters.
Ben London, Executive Director, Pacific Northwest Chapter
Ben London has been appointed Executive Director of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Recording Academy. As Executive Director, London will develop and execute outreach programs, advocacy initiatives, professional education and special events for the Pacific Northwest Chapter. Prior to joining the Academy, he was Senior Curator of Public Programs at the Experience Music Project (EMP). He brings a wealth of nonprofit and music experience to the Academy, having worked with the EMP for the past seven years and as both a musician and producer of several Northwest bands.
While at Experience Music Project, London was responsible for leading creative development, implementing and marketing public programs as well as working with interpretive exhibits at a national cultural arts institution. He worked with a wide spectrum of music including co-curating the exhibits "Disco: A Decade of Saturday Nights," "Northwest Passage," "Milestones," and the critically acclaimed Music+Film series. He created "Sound Off!" the young people's music competition and curated and produced EMP "Innovators: Quincy Jones." He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Visual Arts from Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio.
Established in 1957, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc., also known as the Recording Academy, is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. b
Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards, the Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs - including the creation of the national public education campaign What's The Download (www.WhatsTheDownload.com). For more information about the Academy, please visit www.grammy.com.
