BIG MOVES AT CMA

Things will be looking a little different at the Country Music Association going forward, with a slew of new hires and promotions shaking up the staff.

The changes start from within, with Ben Balch promoted to VP, accounting and finance, advancing from his previous role as senior director in the same department. In addition, 25-year CMA veteran Aaron Hartley has been elevated to senior director, business affairs.

Other internal promotions include Kevin Coffey, who has been promoted to director, brand partnerships development, Meredith Goucher, upped to director, international relations and development and Isabel Baldinger, who has been promoted to marketing manager.

New faces in the room include Jason Rost, who joins CMA as director, ticketing and premium experiences, April Edman, who joins as director, accounting and finance, Anthony Sinnott, who has been hired as CRM manager, having previously held the position of CRM analyst with the Arizona Cardinals, and Jordan Maynard, who joins as marketing coordinator.

Recent Belmont University grad Kylyn Healy, a production coordinator, junior graphic designer Emilie Dufresne and former part-time finance operations specialist Cailey Parker round out the newly enhanced team.

HITS now has its number blocked by as many people in Nashville as in L.A.