John Branca to chair MusiCares; Steve Schnur continues with GRAMMY Foundation
GRAMMY.com
The GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares Foundation, affiliated charities of The Recording Academy, announced that their respective Boards have elected new officers as well as additional directors. John Branca, a partner at Ziffren, Brittenham, Branca, Fischer, Gilbert-Lurie & Stiffelman LLP, will serve as Board Chair for MusiCares. Steve Schnur, worldwide executive of music and marketing for Electronic Arts, will continue to serve as the GRAMMY Foundation's Chair.
"The strength of a nonprofit organization can be measured in large part by its board," said Recording Academy President/CEO and MusiCares and GRAMMY Foundation President Neil Portnow. "We are pleased and honored that we continue to attract such respected, passionate and committed directors and officers to each Foundation. They are true stewards of our mission."
In addition to the newly elected Branca as Chair, the MusiCares' roster of officers is filled by certified drug and alcohol counselor Mary Pattiz as Vice Chair and the Urban Network's Publisher and CEO Miller London as Secretary/Treasurer. Newly elected MusiCares directors are Jerry Greenberg, founder of Mirage Music Entertainment, and Jeff Herbert, former senior vice president/chief marketing officer for Aflac Inc.
"Having previously served for many years as a board member, I have seen firsthand the positive effect of MusiCares' health and human services programs in the music industry," said Branca. "I am truly honored to reinforce my commitment to MusiCares in my role as its new board chair."
With Schnur continuing to serve as Chair of the GRAMMY Foundation, the remaining officer slots are held by music industry executive Phil Quartararo as Vice Chair and Chairman of Levy Restaurants Lawrence Levy as Secretary/Treasurer. The newly elected GRAMMY Foundation directors are Gary Borman, founder of Borman Entertainment; Robert Aubry Davis, founder of RADMAN Productions and broadcaster/producer on public radio, public television, and XM Satellite Radio; George Jones, president and chief executive officer of Borders Group Inc.; Debra Lee, chairman and CEO, BET Networks; Beatriz R. Perez, senior vice president, integrated marketing, for the North America division of the Coca-Cola Company; and Rusty Rueff, chief executive officer for SNOCAP.
"The impact of the GRAMMY Foundation and its music education and advancement and preservation programs is continuing to grow and thrive," said Schnur. "It is a privilege to help guide the organization as board chair, and I am honored to be adding these outstanding board members to a diverse and dynamic group of individuals who are committed to the Foundation's work."