Sarah Trahern
Country Music Association chief executive officer Sarah Trahern will retire at year’s end after a 12-year run overseeing the organization.
According to a release, the CMA Board of Directors has formed a search committee and retained Brentwood-based independent executive search firm Buffkin Baker to assist in finding a successor. Additional details regarding the search — including how and when potential candidates may be considered — will be announced in February.
A 30-year resident of Nashville, Trahern began her role as CMA CEO in 2014, overseeing the Music Row-based association’s flagship television properties, including the CMA Awards, CMA Fest and CMA Country Christmas.
Previously, Trahern held senior roles at C-SPAN and The Nashville Network and later served as general manager of Great American Country. She received Billboard’s Country Power Players "Executive of the Year" honor in 2017, and in 2024 was honored with the Bob Kingsley Living Legend Award by the Grand Ole Opry.
“While we will deeply miss Sarah’s leadership, we are excited to carry forward the legacy she has established,” Jay Williams, William Morris Endeavor co-head and partner and CMA board chairman, says in the release. “Sarah leaves behind an indelible mark on both the Country Music Association and the broader industry. Her influence has shaped not only CMA but the future of Country Music itself.”
Trahern says leading the CMA has been “the privilege of my career,” adding she is stepping down, in part, to spend time with family.
This article was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.
