New York, NY (July 15, 2025) – A2IM (The American Association of Independent Music, Inc), the not-for-profit trade organization representing over 700 independent record labels, has today announced its 2025-2026 Board of Directors, as well as its new Executive Committee and Advisory Board Members.
Leading the Executive Committee is Nabil Ayers, President of Beggars Group, as chair; Glen Barros, Managing Partner of Exceleration Music, as treasurer; and Hays Rudolph, General Counsel, VP Business & Legal Affairs at Secretly Group, as secretary.
This year’s newly elected board members are Glen Barros, along with Vic Zaraya, Chief Operating Officer, Concord, and David Barnes, Chief Operating Officer, Rhymesayers Entertainment, and Jason Peterson, Chairman & CEO, GoDigital Media Group.
Along with being voted to the Executive Committee, Nabil Ayers and Hays Rudolph are returning Board Members, along with Tony Alexander, Co-Founder and President of Made in Memphis Entertainment, Steven Hill, Head of North America & Global Marketing at Warp Records, Terry McBride, CEO of Nettwerk Music Group, Louis Posen, Founder & President of Hopeless Records, and Zena White, COO of Partisan Records.
Furthermore, A2IM proudly welcomes esteemed industry professionals Rachel Faro, Owner/Founder of Ashé Records, and Oscar Guitian, CEO of Serving Sounds to its Advisory Board Members.
“I’m deeply grateful to these strong, committed board members and the new Executive Committee for giving their time and considerable expertise to A2IM. As I prepare to step down at the beginning of 2026, I’m reassured knowing their leadership will guide A2IM through the challenges and opportunities ahead — especially around AI — and ensure a secure future for our mission of championing independent music.” - Dr. Richard James Burgess, President and CEO, A2IM.
“I’m honored to be elected chairman of the A2IM board at such a pivotal moment. I’m committed to helping guide A2IM through its CEO transition while championing the most diverse, dynamic, and culture-shifting force in the music industry. Independent music has never mattered more—and I’m excited to help shape its future.” - Nabil Ayers (Beggars Group)
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to once again serve A2IM and the amazing array of independent members that it represents. The indie community is a vibrant and essential part of the music ecosystem. I look forward to working with the fabulous A2IM staff, Richard Burgess and the incoming CEO in a continued effort to protect and promote independent music and the people creating it.” - Glen Barros (Exceleration Music)
“It’s an honor to join A2IM’s Executive Committee and continue advocating for the independent music community. I’m excited to help shape the strategic direction of the organization during a pivotal time for independent artists and record labels.” - Hays Rudolph (Secretly Group)
"Operating a record label in today’s global environment has never been more complicated. Having previously served on the board, I appreciate the impact that a resource like A2IM can have, and I am proud to serve again." - Vic Zaraya (Concord)
“I am honored to be joining the A2IM board to work alongside an incredible group of industry leaders. A2IM’s mission to advocate for the independent sector is vital to the long-term sustainability of art and culture. As part of that mission, I look forward to continuing the organization’s work to strengthen infrastructure that enables independent artists and labels to compete at scale and help build a more equitable and resilient music industry.” - David Barnes (Rhymesayers Entertainment)
“I'm excited about continuing my service to A2IM members. I believe the most critical task ahead is establishing comprehensive frameworks for navigating copyright in the age of AI. My goal is to partner with the board to provide members with thought leadership on this crucial topic.” - Jason Peterson (GoDigital Media Group)
The Board of Directors plays a vital role in the governance of A2IM, advocating for the members at large and assisting in establishing the organization’s strategic priorities. Elected for three-year terms, members of the board of directors provide invaluable guidance to ensure the continued success of the independent music sector. A2IM’s Advisory Board members serve one-year terms in order to broaden the perspective of the board.
MEET THE NEWLY ELECTED BOARD & ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
David Barnes, COO at Rhymesayers Entertainment
Biography
I’m a strategic executive with 15 years of experience in tech startups and the music industry, focused on helping build sustainable careers with artist partners. As the COO of Rhymesayers, I oversee a business umbrella that includes artist management for Atmosphere, Aesop Rock, and the MF DOOM estate, as well as an e-commerce D2C operation, live events and touring, publishing and NIL rights management, and a 30-year catalog. Previously, I served as Head of Operations at Vinyl Me, Please, where I helped scale the vinyl subscription business into the world’s second-largest vinyl distributor prior to leaving in 2018. I’m currently based in Los Angeles.
Glen Barros, Managing Partner at Exceleration Music
Biography
I am the founder and Managing Partner of Exceleration Music, a global partnership of leading independent music executives formed for the purpose of investing in the future of independent music. To date, Exceleration has acquired, made investments in, or formed strategic relationships, with a number of venerable labels, including Alligator, Bloodshot, Candid, Down The Road, Heroic, Kill Rocks Stars, Mack Avenue, Mom + Pop, Plus One, SideOneDummy, Sundazed, The Ray Charles Foundation/Tangerine Records and Yep Roc.
In addition to our label investments, Exceleration also acquired the prominent independent distribution company, Redeye Worldwide. Through Redeye, we provide physical and digital distribution services to hundreds of independent labels, including some of the independent sector’s most legendary and noteworthy imprints.
Prior to launching Exceleration, I was the CEO of Concord Music Group. During my 25 years with Concord, the company grew from a small but respected jazz label into one of the largest and most successful independent music companies in the world. I have also provided many years of service to A2IM and other music industry trade organizations. I first joined the A2IM board shortly after the organization was established and have served numerous terms over its 20-year history. In addition to A2IM, I am a long-term board member of the RIAA and IFPI, wherein I provide independent perspectives to these major-led organizations. I have also served as an advisor to Merlin and to other music-oriented organizations. Via my work with all these organizations, I’ve strived to protect and promote independent music and intellectual property rights in numerous ways, including representing the industry in proceedings at the White House, the U.S. Senate, The Library of Congress, the California Senate and other governmental forums.
Rachel Faro, Owner & Founder of Ashé Records
Biography
Originally an artist who morphed into a producer and label owner, I’m an experienced music professional, having experienced just about every side of the music business. I’m one of a handful of experienced, Grammy-nominated women record producers and owner of Ashé Records. I began my career as a teenage cast member of HAIR and continued as an RCA-signed singer/songwriter, eventually evolving into a producer for other artists, including Odetta, Eddie Palmieri, Yomo Toro and many more. I’ve worked as a producer for both major and independent labels and I’m gratified that Sony has recently reissued my early albums. Ashé is a boutique producer’s signature label, releasing music from Cuba, Mexico, Africa, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and more. I’m grateful that my work has taken me all over the world and created relationships with artists from many cultures. Our mission is to release music that is uplifted and contains qualities that unify us in our shared humanity.
Oscar Guitian, CEO of Serving Sounds
Biography
Entrepreneur, visionary, and WK Records Co-Founder/Co-Owner, Oscar Guitian Jr. has rapidly ascended as one of Latin music’s foremost influencers. With a dynamic career trajectory, the 35-year-old established NVO Music—an independent label/distribution hub—while pursuing Law School, a testament to his multifaceted talents. While in law school, NVO Music maintained its Top 10 label status under InGrooves, showcasing Guitian’s adept management skills and industry acumen.
In mid-2020, Guitian co-founded WKR alongside industry heavyweight Walter Kolm, propelling the label into the limelight as one of the premier independent labels. Boasting an enviable roster featuring Latin-urban sensation Alex Rose, nurtured by Guitian under NVO Music, Grammy-nominated producer Foreign Teck, emerging Argentine trap artist Seven Kayne, and a cadre of rising talents, WKR continues to redefine Latin music’s landscape.
In under two years since its inception, Guitian, in collaboration with La Base, propelled WKR to unprecedented heights, culminating in 2021 with the #1 Global TikTok song in Spanish, “Fiel” by Los Legendarios, Wisin & Jhay Cortez, amassing over 4 billion streams. This achievement solidified WKR’s status as a Top 10 Latin Label on Billboard Magazine’s coveted charts, accompanied by a remarkable 3 Diamond, 27 Platinum, and 30 Gold Records certified by RIAA.
Under Guitian’s stewardship, WKR dominated digital platforms with six singles on Spotify’s Global Top Songs chart, two songs ranking among the Top 20 most streamed on Triller in 2021, and eight tracks in Spain’s Top 100 songs of the year. Notably, the label garnered two finalist nominations at the 2021 Billboard Latin Music Awards, attesting to its industry impact. Recognized for his outstanding contributions, Guitian was honored in Billboard’s prestigious 40 under 40 list in 2022.
In 2023, he embarked on a new venture founding Serving Sounds SL, a record label/management company headquartered in Spain. Focused on cultivating local Spanish talent into global phenomena, the label swiftly made its mark with a top 5 single in the country and a globally viral hit on Spotify for five consecutive weeks, affirming Guitian’s enduring commitment to shaping the future of Latin music.
Jason Peterson, Chairman & CEO of GoDigital Media Group
Biography
I launched GoDigital.com in 2006 to seize the opportunities created by the convergence of media and technology. What began as a single idea has grown into a multi‑national conglomerate that now weaves content, community, and commerce together across the passion points of music, entertainment, and sports. Today our portfolio includes Cinq Music, Sound Royalties, NGL mitú, and YogaWorks, among other brands.
My career in music and entertainment has allowed me to collaborate with artists such as Janet Jackson, T.I., Master P, Jason Derulo, Pitbull, PSY, and Daddy Yankee. I have produced dozens of major music videos—earning honors like “Video of the Year” at both the Gospel Music Awards and MTV Latin Video Music Awards, as well as “Best Directorial Debut” at the MVPA Awards. Most recently, I co‑produced the video for Janet Jackson and Daddy Yankee’s “Made for Now.”
My professional foundation includes a license to practice law, a Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University, and a business degree with an emphasis in Cinema‑Television from the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business Honors Program. These experiences—entrepreneurial, creative, and civic—shape my ongoing mission: to empower artists and audiences alike by connecting culture with technology on a truly global scale.
Vic Zaraya, COO at Concord
Biography
From my early days at Razor & Tie until my current role as COO of Concord, I have been fortunate to represent the independent community through A2IM, SoundExchange, Win, and more over the last twenty five years. My greatest expertise comes from my experience. I have been through booms and busts. I have seen the impact of technology on our community for good and bad. I have lived with the impact of financial markets on our business. Most importantly, I have worked with great and impactful music created throughout the last 25 years.
I have been at Concord since 2015, starting as Chief Revenue Officer, and becoming COO in 2021. Prior to Concord I worked as President of KIDZ BOP and Razor & Tie, both of which were acquired by Concord. As COO, I work across Concord’s four business areas (Music Publishing, Recorded Music, Theatricals, and Originals) to provide strategic guidance and maximize revenues and efficiencies across the Company.