Fisher To Lead ACM: Grand Ole Opry VP/GM Pete Fisher has been named CEO by the Academy of Country Music. Fisher will lead the Los Angeles-based organization beginning Jan. 30, relocating there from Nashville. He fills the post vacated by Bob Romeo in May (Breaking News 5/16), with EVP/Managing Dir. Tiffany Moon serving in an interim role since. Moon remains with the organization.

Fisher spent 17 years at the Opry, overseeing a wide-ranging transformation of the historic institution. Prior experience includes management and a joint-venture publishing-label post with Warner/Chappell Music and  Warner/Reprise Records. Congratulate him here.

"My 17 years at the world's longest-running live radio show ... has been the experience of a lifetime," Fisher tells Country Aircheck. "I'm incredibly proud of all that our team has accomplished and the Opry is well poised for great accomplishments in the future.  I'm excited about this new chapter in my career. My passions align perfectly with all that the Academy of Country Music represents, whether it's serving our industry, celebrating the accomplishments of our country music family, or lending its heart to worthwhile causes and I especially look forward to amplifying the Academy's already strong relationship with Country radio."

"We were blown away by the quality of candidates who came forward," ACM board Chair Ken Tucker tells Country Aircheck. "It took longer than we wanted it to, but we were dedicated to a thorough process and found the right person to move the Academy forward. The Grand Ole Opry when Pete Fisher took over is not the Opry we know today, and he would be the first to point out the team involved in making that happen. And that's just another reason we are excited to have him at the helm of the Academy's already very accomplished team. In addition, his passion for charity work – whether it's his missions to Haiti, serving on the board of MusiCares or his work with the Opry Trust Fund – will serve the Academy's own charitable efforts through ACM Lifting Lives."