NASHVILLE, March 14, 2023 – Pat Morris, IBMA’s Executive Director, has announced his plans to resign and return to the East Coast to attend to family medical issues.
Board Chairman Mike Simpson informed IBMA Board members of Morris’s decision to resign as of March 24, 2023, and the Board approved former Executive Director Paul Schiminger to serve as Interim Executive Director until a permanent hire is made.
Simpson said, “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I appreciate Pat’s service to the bluegrass community and wish him well in his future endeavors.”
“I want to personally thank Pat for his hard work and dedication to the IBMA,” said Schiminger. “Having worked closely with him, I can attest that he was honored to serve the bluegrass community. My passion for the IBMA and bluegrass music is as strong as ever, and I look forward to working with the talented staff to make this year’s IBMA World of Bluegrass a memorable and successful celebration of our music. I also look forward to working with the next Executive Director to help realize our association’s bright future.”
During the past two years, Morris led the organization in raising money for the IBMA Trust Fund, orchestrated the return of IBMA World of Bluegrass® to Raleigh through COVID restrictions and a hurricane emergency, launched the IBMA International Band Performance Grant Program and IBMA Office Sessions, and grew the organization’s membership.
“Life has a way of changing our plans,” Morris said. “I am going to miss IBMA and its wonderful members. I have been honored to do my part in helping position the industry for growth and innovation. It will always be about the music, and I wish everyone in the bluegrass community all the best.”
