Trahern To Helm CMA: GAC SVP/GM Sarah Trahern has been named CEO of the Country Music Association, effective Jan. 1. Trahern fills the position vacated by the departure of Steve Moore (Breaking News 7/1); CMA board president Ed Hardy, formerly Trahern's boss at GAC, has been in the day-to-day leadership role on an interim basis since then.

CMA board chair Troy Tomlinson calls the process, led by WMN's John Esposito, "a thoughtful, thorough nationwide search to find the best possible candidates – and there were many. But, not surprisingly, the best person was right here in our industry in Nashville." Of Trahern he adds, "She is not only well-known in the country music and television world, but a highly respected executive with strong relationships with many of our members, including record labels, managers, publicists, publishers, and country artists, as well."

Trahern says, "I moved to Nashville in 1995 to combine my experience in live television with my passion for music and especially, country music. Now, years later, to be able to serve as leader of the CMA is an exciting challenge. I look forward to collaborating with the board, the management team, staff, and the membership to continue to grow our genre in multiple arenas. It’s an exciting and dynamic time in the country music business with tremendous growth opportunities as well as an ever-changing marketplace. The ratings success of the CMA Awards last week is indicative of the strength of our genre across multiple demographic groups.”