Abaroa – President @ Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.

The Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (the Latin Recording Academy) announced the confirmed appointment of Gabriel Abaroa as President, as well as an expanded executive staff and permanent headquarters being located in Miami.

“We are so pleased that Gabriel has been appointed to this most important position in the evolution of the Latin Recording Academy and that Miami will now be the definitive home of our Academy’s headquarters,” said Manolo Diaz, Chairman, Latin Recording Academy Board of Trustees. “Gabriel’s vast knowledge and appreciation of Latin music, and his hands-on understanding of our diverse domestic and international Latin music communities, will provide the leadership and continuity that our membership deserves. Also, it’s only natural for the Latin Recording Academy to be headquartered in Miami, one of North America’s primary gateways to Latin music and its makers.”

“On behalf of the Recording Academy, we are delighted with these important steps the Latin Recording Academy is taking toward the further development and expansion of the organization,” said Neil Portnow, President of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. “This team is poised to make great strides and take the Latin Recording Academy to the next level in serving their membership and the Latin music community at large.”

Gabriel Abaroa, President
Recently, Abaroa was Vice Chairman of the Latin Recording Academy Board of Trustees, a volunteer position, and was CEO of Wireless Latin Entertainment, a venture that promoted and distributed Latin music in the wireless space worldwide. Prior to this, he held the position of CEO of IFPI Latin America, the International Recording Industry Association. As President, Abaroa will be responsible for overall management of the Latin Recording Academy organization and the evolution of its mission of improving the quality of life and cultural conditions for Latin music and its makers.

Marya Meyer, VP of Latin Corporate & External Affairs
Marya Meyer will be responsible for internal and external communications as well as development and implementation of foundation work, including educational outreach initiatives. Formerly VP of Marketing for Universal Music Latin America, Director of Marketing and International for Sony Music Spain and Promotion Manager at BMG Spain, she has 18 years of experience working in the International and specifically Latin entertainment industry.

Luis Dousdebes, Director of Administration & Finance
Dousdebes has been promoted from Controller to the position of Director of Administration & Finance of the Latin Recording Academy, and will relocate to Miami. Dousdebes has 18 years of experience in International Finance and has been with the Recording Academy for three years as Senior Accounting Coordinator, Accounting Manager and Controller. In his new role he will be responsible for overseeing all financial aspects of the organization.

Ignacio Meyer, Director of Business Development
Meyer (no relation to Marya Meyer) will be responsible for all revenue generating initiatives, cooperation agreements and strategic alliances. He will oversee general marketing, as well as core activities such as the Latin GRAMMY Nominee CDs, corporate relations and merchandising. Throughout his career, Meyer has been Director of Marketing and Communications for IFPI Latin America, Director of Business Development and Marketing for ERITMO.COM, and Marketing Manager for Visa International.

The Latin Recording Academy is a membership-based organization comprised of approximately 4,000 recording artists, musicians, producers and other creative and technical recording professionals who are dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural conditions for Latin music and its makers. In addition to producing the Latin GRAMMY Awards to honor excellence in recorded music, the Latin Recording Academy offers educational, human services and membership outreach programs in Latin countries — many of which have been conducted in Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina and Spain.

The Latin Recording Academy has built its template of member services and advocacy around the similar programs instituted by the Recording Academy, a non-profit organization comprised of 18,000 musicians, producers and other recording professionals. Best known for the GRAMMY Awards the Recording Academy also is responsible for numerous groundbreaking outreach programs involving education, human services and cultural enrichment.

For more information at http://ww.grammy.com/awards/grammy