Dr. Obie Paul Byron and Sierra Hull, newest Board members of the IBMA Foundation
The IBMA Foundation, the philanthropic, educational, and academic side of the International Bluegrass Music Association, has announced two new members of its Board of Directors.
Celebrated artist Sierra Hull and educator Dr. Obie Paul Byrum have both joined the Board, and Trisha Tubbs, president and board chair of the Foundation, says that the Board is delighted to have them.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Sierra and Paul to our leadership team. Sierra’s historic artistic achievements and deep roots in our community inspire music lovers worldwide, and Paul’s extensive background in global operations, strategy, and non-profit committee work provides invaluable expertise. We are grateful to have them join our Board of Directors. Their leadership will be vital as we continue to grow and work toward a brighter future for bluegrass music, advancing our efforts in bluegrass education, arts and culture, literary work, and historic preservation.”
The Foundation provided these thumbnail biographies of the new Directors.
Sierra Hull is widely regarded to be a master of her instrument; A six-time GRAMMY nominated artist and songwriter, recognized for her most recent projects, A Tip Toe High Wire (2025), 25 Trips (2020) and Weighted Mind (2016), she is also the seven time recipient of IBMA’s Mandolin Player of the Year, the first woman to ever receive this distinction. A pioneer for acoustic music throughout her already impressive multi-decade career, she has graced the country’s most iconic stages, including Carnegie Hall, the Grand Ole Opry, and the White House. Her virtuosic abilities have garnered respect from genre-defining trailblazers, friends, and collaborators such as Alison Krauss, Sturgill Simpson, Eric Clapton, Dolly Parton, Béla Fleck, Steve Martin, Brandi Carlile, Dave Matthews, Cory Wong, Billy Strings and more. Originally hailing from Byrdstown, Tennessee, her unique sound is rooted in bluegrass, and she is widely considered one of acoustic music’s most inventive artists.
Obie Paul Byrum, Ph.D., is a Professor of Practice, Management, and Supply Chain at East Tennessee State University, where he teaches strategy, leadership, and supply chain courses. He also brings senior executive leadership experience in global sourcing, operations, compliance across multinational organizations, strategic planning, risk management, and governance. Paul currently serves on the IBMA Foundation’s Arnold Shultz Fund Advisory Committee and is an alumnus of the 2011 Leadership Bluegrass class. He founded WoodSongs Dalton, a community-based concert series supporting charitable causes. A longtime bluegrass supporter and musician, he enjoys playing banjo, upright bass, and mountain dulcimer and has been active in community-based music initiatives.
They join the current Board of Directors, which includes:
- Kissy Black
- Sam Blumenthal
- Katy Daley
- Laurie Greenburg
- Susan Newberry
- Matthew Royles
- Mona Salyer
- Mark Schuster
- Alan Tompkins
- Trisha Tubbs
- Paul Schiminger
- Lillian Werbin
- John Young
The Foundation is managed day-today by Executive Director Cassie Wright.
In a recent statement, the Board also expressed their gratitude to outgoing Directors who have reached their maximum length of term, Wendy Tyner, Michael Hall, and Peter Salovey.
More information about the IBMA Foundation, its valuable work, and how you can donate to keep it going, may be found online.
