American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada names officers

Delegates to the 97th convention of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM), AFL-CIO, today re-elected International President Thomas F. Lee for a three-year term. In addition to International President Lee, delegates also voted to re-elect International Vice President Harold Bradley, International Secretary-Treasurer Sam Folio, and also elected Vice President from Canada Bill Skolnik.
"I'm very pleased and proud to be re-elected to serve this wonderful membership and this fantastic organization," Lee said. "I will continue to do everything in my power to ensure that all musicians in the AFM's diverse membership are fairly compensated for their work, and can one day retire with a sense of financial security and a feeling of dignity and pride in a career well spent."
Lee has been International President of AFM since his election in June 2001. He served as a labor union official for many years previously, including service as AFM International Secretary-Treasurer from 1999-2001. He served in the U.S. Marine Band from 1966-1990. He also performed freelance engagements in the D.C. area for many years. Lee is a member of the Governing Board of SoundExchange, a member of the Governing Board of the Alliance of Artists and Recording Companies, a Trustee of the American Federation of Musicians and Employers Pension Fund and a Trustee of the AFM and AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund.
Also elected to the International Executive Board are Joe Parente (Local 77, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), Bob McGrew (Local 65-699, Houston, Texas); Ray Hair (Local 72-147, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas); Erwin Price (Local 802, New York, N.Y.); and Billy Linneman (Local 257, Nashville, Tennessee).
Founded in 1896, the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) is the largest organization in the world dedicated to representing the interests of professional musicians. With more than 90,000 members, the AFM represents all types of professional musicians, including those who record music for sound recordings, film scores, radio, television and commercial announcements, as well as perform music of every genre in every sort of venue from small jazz clubs to symphony orchestra halls to major stadiums. Whether negotiating fair agreements, protecting ownership of recorded music, securing benefits such as health care and pension, or lobbying legislators, the AFM is committed to raising industry standards and placing the professional musician in the foreground of the cultural landscape.