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GC Appoints Diversity Director
Guitar Center appointed Paul Gimenez to the position of director of diversity, inclusion and belonging. This appointment comes as the result of a months-long search that began last year when the company’s executive team made a commitment to improve its diversity and inclusion efforts both internally and externally within the MI industry. In his new role, Gimenez partners with key stakeholders across the Guitar Center enterprise in order to design, develop and lead the company’s diversity and inclusion initiative and related programs. He also provides strategic advice and counsel to the organization’s senior leadership on diversity-related issues. Gimenez will contribute thought leadership, perspective and vision to create and implement programs that champion Guitar Center’s core diversity and inclusion mission: to cultivate an inclusive organization composed of individuals with diverse backgrounds at all levels, while simultaneously prioritizing diversity of thought and action. “I am happy to announce that, through much care and deliberation, the position has been filled by Paul Gimenez,” said Ron Japinga, Guitar Center president and CEO. “Paul brings a wealth of knowledge and proven experience in developing and executing strategies that drive diversity, equity and inclusion across an ever-evolving landscape. While evaluating the course of action for the position, we discovered that it is just as important for Guitar Center to be a place of belonging for all as it is a workplace that strives to promote and practice diversity and inclusivity. As such, ‘belonging’ was added to the responsibilities of the position and will be another vital component of our diversity and inclusion mission. On behalf of the Management Committee, we are ready to work alongside Paul to launch diversity, inclusion and belonging initiatives that support a positive workspace and workplace for all.”
In Memoriam Thomas C. Walter
A sales and marketing force behind many of the top names in pro audio, Thomas C. Walter passed away on Jan. 16. With a career spanning six decades, Walter was widely recognized for his efforts on behalf of Community, JBL Pro, Sound Advance, Quam and others. Walter was a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Art, where he studied graphic art and illustration, two disciplines that would serve him well along with his communication skills to promote the very best the industry had to offer. An early disciple of Don and Carolyn Davis’ SynAudCon principles, Walter worked tirelessly to improve the professionalism of the industry and took an active role in the objective scientific documentation of loudspeaker performance while working with many audio luminaries. A lover of all genres of music, especially jazz, Walter is survived by Barbara, his wife of 40 years. He will be missed by countless friends and colleagues spanning the globe, who remember him for his quick wit, wry quips, soaring language and a sardonic sense of humor that always MARCH 2021