Pam Matthews To Retire: IEBA Executive Director Reshaped Nashville In Her 45 Years Of Industry Service

IEBA Executive Director Pam Matthews (Photo Courtesy of IEBA)

IEBA Executive Director Pam Matthews, a 45-year music industry veteran who took the reins of the organization in 2013, will retire in the first quarter of 2025, IEBA announced today (Nov. 18).

“Pam Matthews has been a transformative leader, guiding IEBA through unprecedented growth and setting a standard for industry trade organizations,” says IEBA’s Immediate Past Chairman Eric Bresler. “These growth years are part of her legacy, and she should be enormously proud of that. We look forward to building on the strong base she and her team have built for IEBA’s future.”

Matthews began her career as a teenager, working in the box office at Mid-South Coliseum and as a runner for Mid-South Concerts. She worked on the accounting teams for KISS and Ozzy Osbourne in the ‘80s and was part of the Pace Concerts team that designed, constructed and managed Starwood Amphitheatre, where she served on staff for four years. Included in her many accomplishments is spearheading IEBA’s annual conference, one of the industry’s most important events.

Matthews’ long and varied career includes her 12 years with The Judds and Wynonna, where she wore several hats and most recently was vice president/treasurer of their corporations. Her time with The Judds and Wynonna included five Grammy wins, their 1991 farewell tour, the launch of Wynonna’s solo career and their 1999-2000 reunion tour.

In 2000, Gaylord Entertainment selected Matthews to serve as General Manager of the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. During her eight-year tenure there, the Ryman received its National Historic Landmark status, became one of the top-grossing theaters in the world, and a perennial nominee and winner of Pollstar Awards, which it hosted in 2015.

She has served on the board of directors of Nashville Downtown Partnership, Opry Trust Fund, Americana Music Association, Music City Music Council and Leadership Music, where she is in her 21st year as a member of the Live Music Day committee.

Among Matthews’ career achievements are the establishment of IEBA’s Educational Outreach Fund, which awards up to 50 scholarships to students in music business programs across North America.

“Congratulations, Pam, on your successful tenure as Executive Director of IEBA. Your undeniable history of success and dedication has inspired many and has left an indelible mark on our industry,” adds Barry Jeffrey, President of IEBA Educational Outreach Fund board. “As you embark on this new chapter of retirement, may it be filled with joy, adventure and the fulfillment of all your dreams. Here’s to new beginnings!”

“Thank you to Eric, Barry and IEBA’s board of directors for their leadership and support throughout my time with the organization,” Matthews shares. “The IEBA staff and our board are some of the finest folks I’ve had the privilege of working with over my many years in this business.”

IEBA’s Executive Committee will begin the search for Matthews’s replacement immediately. Please direct all inquiries to [email protected].