Damon Whiteside has been selected as the Academy of Country Music’s new Chief Executive Officer. He takes over on 1/6 and will split his time between Nashville and L.A.

Most recently Chief Marketing Officer at the Country Music Association, Whiteside is just the third CEO of the ACM in its 55 years. Pete Fisher left the job in May and RAC Clark has been filling in as interim chief.

"We are fortunate to welcome Damon as the Academy's new CEO,” said Ed Warm, Chairman of the ACM Board of Directors. “His experience, commitment and enthusiasm in the country music world are well documented and we are confident that he will enhance the Academy's ability to bring together fans, artists and the industry while enabling the organization's charitable arm, ACM Lifting Lives, to impact more lives than ever before.”

In his time at CMA, Whiteside was responsible for overseeing the development of marketing and media campaigns for CMA’s three annual television properties and strengthening the partnership with CMA’s broadcast partner ABC. Additionally, Whiteside dedicated efforts to identify and build strategic partnerships with multi-platform media partners, digital companies, and Fortune 500 brands.

“Damon joining the ACM is exactly what the Academy needs right now,” said Clark, the Executive Producer of the ACM’s CBS broadcast. “I’ve been part of the ACM Awards since 1979, and I can’t wait to pass along everything I can to Damon from my experience as an ACM board member, Interim Executive Director and Executive Producer of the telecast.”

Whiteside's career began in 1996 at Disney and in 2011 he formed Nomad Entertainment Group to rep artists, producers and songwriters, and develop marketing and digital campaigns.

"I am honored and humbled to now be given the responsibility to shape the future of the Academy,” Whiteside said. “I am excited to draw upon my deep passion, unique experience and important relationships across the Country Music and mainstream entertainment media industries to reinforce the organization's mission, rejuvenate its influence, and redefine its purpose to benefit the entire Country Music ecosystem."