TAYLOR GUITARS NAMES GEOFF SMITH AS CFO T aylor Guitars has appointed Geoff Smith as chief financial officer. Smith
previously served as the company’s con- troller and brings more than two decades of financial leadership experience across manufacturing, technology and consult- ing organizations. As chief financial officer, Smith over-
Geoff Smith
Keith Mardak and Mary Vandenberg
sees the global financial strategy and operations of Taylor Gui- tars, supporting the company’s long-term vision while helping preserve the values, craftsmanship and culture that define the brand. He works closely with CEO, president and chief guitar designer Andy Powers and Taylor’s executive leadership team to guide financial planning, operational strategy and sustainable growth across the organization. Smith has held senior finance and accounting leadership roles across multiple industries and succeeds Barbara Wight, who served as chief financial officer for more than 16 years and played an instrumental role in the company’s growth. During her tenure, Wight helped guide Taylor Guitars through global challenges during the pandemic and the company’s transition to a binational Employee Stock Ownership Program that made the company fully employee-owned. {taylorguitars.com} GUITAR CENTER NAMES JENNIFER HATTON AS MUSIC & ARTS PRESIDENT G uitar Center has named Jennifer Hatton as the new president of
All-In Milwaukee Receives $11M Gift from Former Hal Leonard CEO A ll-In Milwaukee has announced that philanthropists Keith Mar- dak and Mary Vandenberg have made an $11 million gift to the organization, the largest contribution in All-In Milwaukee’s history. The investment will help 500 additional Milwaukee students attend and complete college over the next 10 years. Since launching in 2018, All-In Milwaukee has provided compre- hensive college access and success support to hundreds of low-income students across the city, helping scholars enroll in college debt-free and persist through graduation. “This gift is transformational for us,” said Allison Wagner, executive director of All-In Milwaukee. “For the next 10 years, 50 of our annual scholar spots are now funded. It creates a strong foundation for us to continue growing and serving more students across Milwaukee.” Keith Mardak, former CEO and chairman of Milwaukee-based music publisher Hal Leonard, and Mary Vandenberg, former vice president of business affairs for the company, said the organization’s long-term student support model inspired their investment. “What makes All-In Milwaukee so special is the comprehensive, wraparound support,” Mardak and Vandenberg said in a joint state- ment. “That model keeps us invested and gives us confidence that our support is truly changing the trajectory of students’ lives.” The gift reflects the couple’s commitment to youth development and the arts. They have previously supported various other organizations, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra and First Stage. All-In Milwaukee’s inaugural class included 40 students. This coming academic year, the organization will support 215 new scholars, with a goal of reaching annual cohorts of 250 students by 2029. To date, approximately 250 students have graduated through the program. Nearly all participants come from low-income households, with 98% identifying as students of color and 86% being first-generation college students. Students apply during their senior year of high school and are matched with one of eight partner colleges and universities in Wisconsin. Most scholars attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison, UW-Milwaukee or Marquette University. Partner institutions provide the maximum available financial aid, while All-In Milwaukee contributes an additional $12,000 per stu- dent to help cover expenses, such as laptops, summer coursework and other educational costs. Each scholar is also paired with a mentor who provides academic, personal and career guidance throughout college. {halleonard.com}
Music & Arts, the company’s school music division. Hatton brings nearly three decades of education sector lead- ership, most recently as chief growth officer at Aramark Collegiate Hospital- ity, where she helped secure more than
Jennifer Hatton
$240 million in new business partnerships and achieved a 98% account renewal and retention rate over the last 18 months. Her appointment positions Music & Arts to accelerate growth across its school music, rental and lessons businesses. “Music and Arts is the largest provider of K–12 band and orchestra rentals and equipment in the United States, and we currently have great momentum in the business,” said Gabe Dalporto, CEO of Guitar Center. “Jennifer has spent her career serving the education sector while building scalable operations, and that’s exactly what Music & Arts needs to keep growing.” “This brand has been inside schools and music programs for over 70 years,” Hatton said. “That kind of trust is hard to build and easy to lose. I’m here to make sure we keep earning it.” {musicarts.com}
20 I MUSIC INC. I JULY 2026
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