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GMA names new executive director Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Tuesday, 16 August 2011 10:43 AM America/New_York
The Gospel Music Association (GMA) has appointed music industry veteran Jackie Patillo as executive director. GMA created the new position, rather than hire a president, as part of a new management model.

Patillo, who most recently served as vice president of A&R (Artists and Repertoire) and artist development for Sony Music Entertainment's Verity Gospel Music Group, will report to the GMA board of directors, facilitating the day-to-day operations of the association.

GMA Chairman Mitchell Solarek said that Patillo brings a wealth of experience in both contemporary Christian and gospel music segments to the position. "She brings years of knowledge and relationships that she has built within the music community to the post," he said. "This will be a huge asset as we grow and continue to build our membership, the Dove Awards and our Immerse event."

Patillo, who over the past few decades has lead the A&R departments for the Star Song and Benson Music Group labels, said that "Christian and gospel music, and the people they represent is more of a calling than a job for me." The former general manager for Integrity Media's Integrity Gospel, Patillo is the ex-wife of Leon Patillo, former vocalist for GRAMMY-winning band Santana.

GMA has been working to bounce back since the association experienced a financial crisis in 2009 that threatened its very existence.

The association posted a profit last year for the first time in three years, reduced a total debt of $921,000 to a manageable amount and sold its Nashville facility for $697,000 in October 2010.

After seeing increased attendance and drawing a record number of television viewers this spring, the Dove Awards will again take place in Atlanta next year. Held for the first time outside of Nashville on April 20 at Atlanta's historic Fox Theatre, the organization's showcase event sold out in record time, attendance was up 50% from last year's show and garnered its highest ratings on the Atlanta-based Gospel Music Channel—with more than 1.5 million viewers—GMA officials said.