In the midst of the announcement about World of Bluegrass moving to Raleigh in 2013, we didn’t get to mention two new hires announced by IBMA last week.
Katherine Coe has been brought in as Administrative/Media Assistant. This position, revised for Coe’s skill set, had been intentionally left vacant since the departure of Dan Hays as Executive Director. The IBMA Board had intended for a new director to be given the opportunity to approve any new hires, but the delay in filling that position – with Nancy Cardwell serving as interim director – has made the need to fill this job of paramount importance.
IBMA lists Katherine’s qualifications and responsibilities as follows:
Katherine Coe, originally from Raleigh, NC and a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State Univ. in Blacksburg, VA, has been working for Denise Stiff at DS Management for the past year helping to promote Sugar Hill artist Sarah Jarosz. Katherine’s new title is Administrative/ Media Assistant. In addition to managing information and databases, coordinating office communications, assisting with accounting, coordinating member service delivery, and assisting with World of Bluegrass planning and operations, the job has expanded to include graphic design, website design and digital video production. Katherine came up with the design we’re using for World of Bluegrass marketing and merchandise this year, so you’ll be seeing a good deal of her work soon!
With Cardwell having been elevated from her staff position to assume the director’s responsibilities for the time being, Caroline Wright is coming onboard to help with many of Nancy’s prior duties.
Wright has been a force in the Hawaiian bluegrass scene for some time, and an active member of IBMA. She is an experienced writer and copy editor, with a long list of published articles and columns in the bluegrass press. Many of our readers will have read the recent Tony Rice biography, Still Inside, which she and Tim Stafford co-authored.
Given her distance from Nashville, Caroline will be working from her island home base, utilizing cell and internet technology to stay in touch with the home office.
“It’s a tremendously exciting opportunity, and I cannot begin to express how honored I feel. Spreading the word about bluegrass music has been a big part of my life here in Hawaii, and I’m thrilled to do that on a global scale.
While Nancy is working as interim executive director, I’ll be helping out in a number of areas: I’ll be editing International Bluegrass, the IBMA newsletter, and writing WOB press releases; I’ll be staff liaison with a couple of World of Bluegrass planning committees (Education Committee, Distinguished Achievement Committee), and help plan some of the events and activities in Nashville, including the Special Awards Luncheon; and I’ll be working on Bluegrass Nation, helping with its functionality and launch.”
Wright’s position is described by IBMA as a temporary, part-time position, officially listed as a three-month commitment. Perhaps news of a new director is right around the corner?
