JOE LAMOND TO LEAVE NAMM IN 2023 AFTER TWO DECADES
On June 28 th at the annual NAMM Board of Directors meeting , Joe Lamond shared his intention to step down as the president and CEO of the trade association , effective spring 2023 . Lamond , who has served at the helm of NAMM for the past 20 years , will work with the NAMM executive committee over the next two years to ensure a smooth transition of leadership for the association , The NAMM Show and Summer NAMM , and its other member activities .
“ Serving our global membership and working with the talented NAMM team has been an absolute honour ,” says Lamond . “ However , I ’ ve always thought of my life in terms of chapters , the musician and touring chapter , the music retail chapter , this amazing NAMM chapter , and now perhaps one
NAMM ’ s JOE LAMOND more mountain ahead left to climb . One thing is for sure , we ’ re going to take the time to get this transition right . We are committed to finding the best possible CEO for NAMM , one who can lead this great organization and industry and serve our global membership in the years ahead .”
Chris Martin , chair of NAMM ’ s board of directors and executive chairman of C . F . Martin & Co ., says , “ I have enjoyed working with Joe for many years . During my time on NAMM ’ s Executive Committee , I watched Joe maneuver the ever-changing association and trade show landscape with skill , enthusiasm , and vision . His desire to bring all of us together as one community has created a stronger and more durable NAMM . I personally want to thank Joe for his unwavering dedication to this thing of ours .”
During his announcement , Lamond noted that the longevity of steady leadership seemed to be a hallmark for much of NAMM ’ s history , with his predecessor Larry Linkin ’ s appointment to the role in 1981 , and before that , William Gard in 1948 .
The NAMM executive committee will undertake the search for the next president and CEO to lead the organization . After the leadership transition is complete , Lamond says he ’ s committed to remaining active with the NAMM Foundation and its work in support of music and music education .
For more information , contact NAMM : 760-438-8001 , www . namm . org .
PHOTO : GETTY IMAGES FOR NAMM
RIP : KORG USA ’ S TOM IMPARATO
TOM IMPARATO
In June , Korg USA shared the sad news that Tom Imparato , national service and facilities manager , had passed on March 22 nd due to complications with COVID-19 .
Called a “ true legend ” by the company , Imparato spent more than 40 years with Korg USA , where he established a network of more than 600 service centres . He was a visionary and the driving force behind creating an online bill of materials and parts list , helping to make service centres around the country more efficient . After visiting one of the first Home Depot locations while in California for a NAMM Show back in the 1990s , Imparato was inspired by and embraced the “ self-help ” philosophy . Instead of having to delay the repair by calling into a service department for assistance , Imparato ’ s innovative system elevated the repair experience .
“ I cannot put into words what a tragedy this loss was for Tom ’ s family , friends , and our company . Part of the Korg USA family for over 40 years , Tom was a beloved , kind , thoughtful and warm-hearted person who loved helping others . All you had to do was ask ,” says Joe Castronovo , president of Korg USA . “ We lost a wonderful soul and we will never be the same without Tom in our lives . We can only hope to keep his memory alive and always strive for excellence like Tom .”
Imparato was a natural educator . Utilizing his vast knowledge of circuit design and
tube amplification , he established service seminars for techs around the country . In addition , he created a mentoring program at Korg USA where aspiring engineers from the Island Drafting and Technical Institute in Amityville , NY could learn hands-on , side-by-side with Korg ’ s service and repair team .
“ Tom enjoyed teaching young , talented electronics students from our school and mentoring them in bygone technologies that still are used today within the music industry ,” adds Ralph Ceraso , director of career services for Island Drafting and Technical Institute . “ His selfless giving back and his knowledge and passion for the industry through the Korg USA / IDTI mentoring program certainly made a difference to those who spent time learning with Tom and other individuals employed at Korg .”
Tom Imparato is survived by his daughter Danielle , son Tom Jr ., five grandchildren , and five siblings .
CMT sends our deepest condolences to Tom ’ s family , colleagues , and many friends .
CANADIAN MUSIC TRADE 19