BMI's Williams To Depart: BMI/Nashville VP/Creative Jody Williams will leave the organization at the end of the year to form a new publishing company. Williams will serve as a consultant to BMI through 2020. A successor will be named at a later date. 

"When Jody and I first discussed this possibility over a year ago, I understood his desire to return to his other love of music publishing, but I also knew that BMI would miss his passion, creativity and unwavering support for songwriters and publishers," says BMI President/CEO Mike O'Neill.

Williams adds, "The greatest honor of my career has been representing BMI's Nashville family of songwriters and publishers. I have always strived to carry forward the incredible example of BMI’s former CEOs Frances Preston and Del Bryant, who taught so many of us how to care for songwriters. That inspiration, coupled with the support of Mike O'Neill and the BMI team, allowed us to thrive over the past decade. I am forever grateful."

Starting in BMI's mailroom in the '70s, Williams served in several publishing roles over his career, returning to BMI twice more. He is currently CMA Board Chairman and a Trustee of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.