Leading Executives in Music Stores
Gabe Dalporto
Chief Executive Officer, Guitar Center (The Guitar Center Company)
CEO since November 2023, Gabe Dalporto has led Guitar Center’s turnaround and digital push (including AI-driven shopping tools) after earlier board service starting in 2018.
website | LinkedIn | press/media
Mike Clem
Chief Executive Officer & President, Sweetwater
Longtime Sweetwater leader promoted to CEO and President effective September 29, 2023; known for scaling e‑commerce and culture wins (Comparably 2024 Best CEO/Culture).
website | LinkedIn | press/media
Hans Thomann
Managing Director (Geschäftsführer), Thomann
Owner and managing director who expanded Thomann into Europe’s largest musical instrument retailer while keeping the HQ in Treppendorf.
David Mandelbrot
Chief Executive Officer, Reverb
Marketplace veteran who became CEO in 2020 and stewarded Reverb’s 2025 transition back to a privately held company backed by Creator Partners and Servco.
website | LinkedIn | press/media
Jennifer Thayer
President, Music & Arts (a Guitar Center Company)
Named President on June 2, 2025 to lead the U.S.’s largest school music retailer across 250+ stores, rentals, repairs, and 1M+ annual lessons.
website | LinkedIn | press/media
Steve Long
President, Long & McQuade
President of Canada’s largest MI retail chain, overseeing 100+ stores and extensive lesson programs nationwide.
Lee Anderton
Managing Director (CEO), Andertons Music Co.
Third‑generation leader and on‑camera ‘Captain’ who turned Andertons into a global retail/content force with a million‑subscriber YouTube channel.
Andrew Yonke
Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Music Exchange
CEO since 2015; scaled CME’s digital operations, app launch, and exclusive/vintage assortment while maintaining its destination showroom.
Jon Haber
Owner & President, Alto Music
Owner‑operator who built Alto Music into a top U.S. independent retailer and became a recognizable industry voice via NAMM and national campaigns.
Kenneth (Ken) Hovey
Chief Executive Officer, American Musical Supply (Musical Fulfillment Services)
Chief Executive at AMS, one of the largest U.S. online MI retailers; AMS shares logistics heritage with zZounds under Musical Fulfillment Services.
Gareth Bevan
Chief Executive Officer, Gear4music (Holdings) plc
Appointed CEO with Andrew Wass moving to Executive Chair; leads the UK‑listed retailer’s multi‑DC European footprint and own‑brand strategy.
website | Investors/IR | LinkedIn
Gérard Garnier
Président (President), Woodbrass.com SAS, Woodbrass (Algam Group)
Following Algam’s recapitalization of Woodbrass, industry veteran Gérard Garnier serves as President of the company’s legal entity; Fabrice Jérôme is Directeur Général.
website | LinkedIn | parent company
Michael (Mike) Nehra
Co‑Founder & CEO, Vintage King Audio
Co‑founder and longtime chief who grew VK from a Detroit studio side‑hustle into a premier global pro‑audio retailer and integrator.
Alan Rosen
Owner, President & CEO, Bananas at Large
Bay Area retailer’s owner/CEO and vocal advocate for music‑education funding; known for deep community work and curated boutique selection.
website | LinkedIn | press/media
Dave Rogers
Owner & Founder, Dave’s Guitar Shop
Founder who turned DGS into a multi‑store destination with a renowned in‑store vintage guitar museum and national e‑commerce.
Tommy Colletti
Owner & President, The Music Zoo
New York–area boutique’s frontman and buyer; built a loyal following and premium‑brand relationships as owner/president since the 1990s.
David Ash
Chief Executive Officer (during 2024 restructuring), Sam Ash Music (brand/IP)
Family CEO who shepherded the century‑old chain through its 2024 restructuring and store closures while exploring go‑forward e‑commerce strategy.
Graham Bell
Co‑Founder; former Co‑Owner (now Employee Ownership Trust), guitarguitar (UK)
Co‑founder who, with Kip McBay, transitioned the UK’s largest guitar retailer to employee ownership to secure long‑term independence.
Peter Schmitt
Chief Executive Officer, Schmitt Music
Fifth‑generation leader named CEO in 2021; expanded and modernized the 12‑store Midwest chain and new Bloomington, MN flagship.
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