The Gospel Music Association today announced that Frank Breeden, president of the GMA and Christian Music Trade Association (CMTA), has tendered his resignation. Breeden will be president until January 31, 2003 and remain a consultant for the GMA and CMTA through April 30. Breeden chose not to renew his contract and will be pursuing different business opportunities. On February 1, current GMA Board Chairman John W. Styll will assume the duties of interim president of both organizations but will begin working with Breeden immediately on transition issues.

“The Gospel Music Association has made tremendous progress under Frank’s leadership and we thank him for his service to our industry. He has provided the GMA and CMTA with strong leadership and has helped to bring the visibility of our organization and industry to an all-time high,” Styll said. “I’m grateful for his desire to make a smooth leadership transition and look forward to his assistance in the months ahead.”

“I would like to thank the Directors and employees of the GMA and CMTA for their steadfast support and effort during my tenure as president. Together, we have grown the industry and reputation of Christian and gospel music throughout the world. We have built bridges with many different communities to make the GMA as inclusive and diverse as possible and succeeded at making the national media take notice of our growing genre. I am confident that I leave the GMA and CMTA well positioned and very capably staffed to face the challenges and opportunities ahead. John Styll is a good friend and one of our most experienced and respected leaders. He will do an excellent job of serving GMA and CMTA during this transition and into the future,” said Breeden.

Breeden became president of the GMA and CMTA in 1997, after serving on the GMA Board of Directors since 1988. While Breeden was president, the GMA and CMTA made many significant advances including the acquisition of Seminar in the Rockies at Estes Park; the addition of the Dove Awards to the National Association of Recording Merchandiser’s (NARM) official merchandising campaigns for general market retailers; the launch of the GMA’s Internet presence with gospelmusic.org, doveawards.com, and cmta.com; the growth of licensing opportunities for the Dove Awards with products such as the Dove Awards DVD, Dove Songs for Kids, Dove Hits, and various educational, inspirational, and children’s books; and the development of several new programs and initiatives for GMA membership including GMA Canada, membership for college students and the Academy of Gospel Music Arts on Campus. Breeden served as executive producer for GMA’s television specials, including the Dove Awards’ first live network telecast. He also worked with the White House in producing the television special, White House Salute to Gospel Music. And Breeden was instrumental in legislative issues, including the recent resolution of differences between the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) over a web casting bill in the United States Congress.

Styll will serve as interim president for a period of no less than six months. Styll is the founder and former president of CCM Communications. He has served on the GMA Board for more than 20 years and was a founding member of the CMTA. Recently, he has been doing independent consulting.