SANTA MONICA, CA. (Recording Academy) - The Recording Academy announced today that it has promoted
Megan K. Clarke to Senior Director, Information Technology;
David Konjoyan to Senior
Director of Creative Services (formerly Publications); and
Tim Whalen ,
Director of Facilities. Additionally,
Kelly Connaughton has been hired as the East Regional Director, based out of the Academy's New York Chapter.
"We're pleased to announce these new promotions and the final hire in our Member Services restructuring as the Academy continues to evolve its operational infrastructure in order to better serve our constituency," said Recording Academy President Neil Portnow. "These individuals are integral to the Academy's mission and standards of excellence, and they will continue to raise the bar in their respective areas of expertise, setting and achieving ambitious goals."
Megan K. Clarke, Sr. Director, Information Technology
With more than 14 years of experience, most recently as a Chief of Technology, Clarke is one year into her role at the Recording Academy. Her resume includes a highly successful run with Ernst & Young's Business and Technology Consulting Group, in addition to being front-and-center during the latter half of the dot-com craze. She contributes leadership skills to the Recording Academy, including both strategic business and technology planning as well as tactical day-to-day I.T. management.
Kelly Connaughton, East Regional Director
Newly hired, Connaughton will be responsible for managing the daily activities of the New York Chapter and, in partnership with the Executive Directors of the Chicago, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Chapters, for the implementation of policies, procedures, and programs throughout the east region. Her experience includes long-range strategic planning, board relations, program development, operations, and fundraising. Most recently, she was the Executive Director for the Henry Mancini Institute in Los Angeles. Connaughton is an accomplished musician with a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Syracuse University.
David Konjoyan, Sr. Director, Creative Services
Konjoyan has a varied background in the music industry. He worked as a freelance writer for such publications as BAM, Musician, and the Orange County Register. In addition, he has worked in radio promotion and publicity both independently and for several small record labels, and has written album liner notes as well as numerous artist press packages. His Academy responsibilities include production of the GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY program books, content on GRAMMY.com and the GRAMMY Webcasts, and overseeing the development of the official art and telecast logo for each GRAMMY show. Additionally, he is the editor of the annual GRAMMY Magazine (Winners issue), and he will oversee the launch of the Academy's upcoming quarterly national newsletter. Prior to joining the Academy in 1998, he also co-executive produced two albums. Konjoyan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley.
Tim Whalen, Director, Facilities
A proven operations manager with more than 15 years of experience, Whalen has been with the Academy for two years. He oversees daily building operations and facilities management, and he is the properties manager for the Academy's Chapter offices. He also serves as the Academy's liaison with security, transportation and traffic and municipals vendors during GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY telecasts. Prior to joining the Academy, Whalen was Manager of Operations at Comedy Central and at Viacom/MTV Networks/Nickelodeon, where he was responsible for developing and implementing facility procedures and protocol and overseeing day-to-day office services, as well as event coordination and production supervision.
