GUITAR CENTER NAMES REVERB FOUNDER DAVID KALT TO BOARD G uitar Center has named David Kalt as an independent member of its
Sweetwater Receives Mental Health Workplace Award S weetwater has been awarded a 2026 Gold Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health, one of the nation’s top recogni- tions for U.S. employers. Issued by Mental Health America, a leading nonprofit dedicated to advancing mental health and well-being, Sweetwater joins a select group of organizations recognized for their commitment to fostering psychologically safer, supportive environments where employees can thrive professionally and personally. The Gold Bell Seal Award recognizes Sweetwater’s efforts across several key areas, including: a strategic and holistic approach to employee well-being; mental health-friendly benefits and resources; a strong emphasis on work-life balance; and a commitment to a fair and accessible workforce. “This Gold Bell Seal Award reflects the care, intention and responsibility we bring to support our people every day,” said Jeff Ostermann, Sweetwater’s chief people and culture officer. “By sharing this good news during Mental Health Awareness Month, we are proud to reaffirm that supporting mental health isn’t just a program for us. It is a core part of who Sweetwater is as an organization.” Since 2019, Mental Health America has awarded the Bell Seal to hundreds of employers supporting the mental health of 5.1 million employees combined, based on decades of research into best practices in workplace mental health. {sweetwater.com}
board of directors. Kalt is the founder of Reverb, the platform that transformed how musicians buy and sell new, used, and vintage gear online. He also previ- ously acquired and helped grow Chicago
David Kalt
Music Exchange into one of the country’s most recognized destinations for vintage and collectible instruments. His appoint- ment comes as Guitar Center enters its next phase of growth. “We went from eight consecutive quarters of decline to nine consecutive quarters of growth,” said Gabe Dalporto, CEO of Guitar Center. “We’ve got the company on a good trajectory and now we’re playing offense. David built Reverb from scratch and fundamentally changed how musicians buy and sell gear. That kind of experience matters as we think about what comes next for this company.” Kalt’s experience spans music retail, digital marketplaces and technology-enabled businesses. After acquiring Chicago Music Exchange, he identified gaps in how musicians buy and sell gear online, which led to the creation of Reverb.com. The platform changed the used and vintage gear market and was acquired by Etsy for $275 million. {guitarcenter.com} THE MUSIC PEOPLE PROMOTES WAYNICK TO DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC ACCOUNTS T he Music People (TMP) has pro- moted Austin Waynick from na- tional accounts manager to director of strategic accounts.
In his new role, Waynick will expand his leadership responsibilities while con- tinuing to drive key sales initiatives. He will oversee and manage a team of na-
Austin Waynick
tional account managers, focusing on strengthening strategic partnerships, identifying growth opportunities, and accelerating the company’s AVL business across key channels. “Austin has consistently demonstrated a strong ability to build relationships, drive results and add significant value to our customers,” said Jeremy Payne, vice president of sales. “His promotion reflects both his past contributions and our confidence in his ability to guide our strategic account efforts into the future.” Since joining TMP, Waynick has played a critical role in developing national account relationships and expanding market reach. His deep understanding of the AVL landscape, combined with his extensive network of strong industry relationships, has made him a valuable asset to both the sales team and TMP’s partners. {tmppro.com}
George’s Music Hosts Martin Guitar Night G eorge’s Music, which has stores in Pennsylvania and Florida, recently hosted Chris Martin, the sixth-generation owner of Martin Guitar, for the “An Evening with Chris Martin” event. The sold-out, standing-room-only evening featured Chris tell- ing the history of Martin Guitar through instruments from the Martin Museum and his personal guitar collection. Guitarist and Martin clinician Craig Thatcher delighted the audience with performances on the famed instruments. Chris Martin hosts these events worldwide, tracing the nearly 200-year history of the brand. {martinguitar.com} Martin clinician Craig Thatcher, George’s Music CEO George Hines, store manager Sean Naylor and Martin chairman Chris Martin IV.
18 I MUSIC INC. I JULY 2026
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