Company Info for fender.com | IcebreakerMembers
With over 30 years of experience leading digital transformation in the music, entertainment, and digital consumer products industry, I am a former Chief Digital Officer at Fender and current CDO at Universal Audio. I have a track record of building products, and the teams that build products, from an idea on a whiteboard to $100m businesses.
I have led multiple companies in digital transformation and innovation efforts, creating and launching streaming video on demand (SVOD) subscription services, post-production workflows and video content systems, subscription platforms, e-commerce platforms, online communities, event management platforms, and user-generated-content aggregation platforms. I have recruited and managed large teams of cross-disciplinary engineers, designers, product leads, video content producers, and marketers, and successfully delivered web and mobile products for multiple Fortune 500 brands.
I have also been featured on TV, in magazines, at conferences, and on stage in front of 100,000 people, showcasing my domain expertise and thought leadership. My mission is to leverage my skills and experience to help companies and creators achieve their goals and reach their audiences through digital innovation and excellence. 
In today’s complex business environment, sustainable growth requires strategic vision, operational excellence, and transformational leadership that drives both cultural change and financial performance.
Across 20+ years as a CEO, President, and CMO, I’ve consistently delivered double-digit year-over-year growth while leading P&L responsibilities exceeding $50 million. Through strategic consolidations and operational optimization, I’ve built, scaled, and transformed brands at the intersection of culture, business, and creativity, in leadership roles at BBH USA/Publicis Groupe, Paramount Global, C.F. Martin Guitar, and Universal Music Group, and in close partnership with clients such as Google, Heineken USA, Samsung Global, Walmart, and Mattel’s Barbie and Hot Wheels.
I’m the founder of Grit & Glory Agency, where I partner with executive leadership teams to spark bold growth, unlock new opportunities, and lead with cultural clarity, bringing cross-industry perspective to drive lasting impact.
I’m now exploring my next C-Suite opportunity to partner with a leadership team ready to scale with vision, courage, and discipline, bringing strategic clarity, P&L management expertise, and operational rigor to fuel sustainable growth and market expansion.
Named Ad Age’s A-List and Creativity Awards “Agency Executive of the Year,” I’m also a trusted industry voice, having served as a keynote speaker, juror, and Jury President for global stages including Cannes Lions, Dubai Lynx, and Ad Age’s Creativity Awards.
In the boardroom, I bring deep expertise in corporate governance, brand transformation, and stakeholder relations. I currently serve on the boards of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation and the Girl Scouts of Greater New York, and am an active participant in NYSE Board Services, Nasdaq Center for Board Excellence, and J.P. Morgan executive programs. 
Currently, Independent Director, WD-40 (NASDAQ: WDFC), Audit and Finance Committee. Chair-elect, National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), Nashville Chapter. Named a 2024 Savoy Most Influential Corporate Director.
COO, Thomas F. Frist Jr. College of Medicine, Professor of Practice (Business), Jack C. Massey Graduate School of Business, Belmont University. Digital Directors Network, Corporate Directors Forum, Director of the Year, Emerging Board Leader.
Advisory Board, Smithsonian SITES|Affiliations, Board of Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle TN, Boys & Girls Clubs in Tennessee.
Former Co-President of the Fender Play Foundation at Fender Musical Instruments Corp. The mission of the Fender Play Foundation is to Equip, Educate and Inspire the next generation of player, in school and after school. Since the summer of 2020, provided stringed instruments to over 20,000 LA Unified School District middle and elementary school students.
Previously at Fender, Ed was responsible for Manufacturing, Supply Chain, New Product Introduction, Planning and Distribution for the Fender portfolio of products. Executive Sponsor of the "Black in Business" Employee Resource Group.
In 2021, Ed joined the Fuqua School of Business Board of Visitors and completed Cohort 3 of the Black Corporate Board Readiness Program at Santa Clara University.
Previously, Ed was Local Business Unit Manager/VP Operations for LPCW US at Thomas & Betts, an ABB member company. P&L responsibility for the US Business Unit along with operational responsibility for 12 factories in the US, Mexico and Puerto Rico.
Formerly, GM, York Vehicle Operations, Harley-Davidson's largest vehicle assembly facility producing Touring, Softail, Tri-Glide, and Custom Vehicle Operations motorcycles. Executive Sponsor of Harley-Davidson's Technical Excellence Program (TEP) and H-D Performance Consulting's Performance Group 8 (PG8).
GM, Produce Products Group (PPG) Special Projects. Led the site search for an alternative manufacturing facility for H-D's Touring and Softail motorcycles. Following the decision to maintain operations in York, PA, leading the $100 million transformation efforts for New Factory York.
General Manager of Capitol Drive powertrain facility, producing middleweight powertrains for Harley-Davidson Sportster and Buell motorcycles.
Leadership Development Program at Harley-Davidson Motor Company.
15 year Marine Corps Aviation (A-6E and F/A-18D) Veteran, departing Active Duty in 2002 as a Lieutenant Colonel. Ed led 21 successful combat missions into Bosnia and Albania in 1997. 
