The Recording Academy Appoints Chris Wiltsee Executive Director Of The San Francisco Chapter

SANTA MONICA, CA (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — The Recording Academy announced that it has named Chris Wiltsee Executive Director of the San Francisco Chapter. As Executive Director, Wiltsee will develop and execute outreach programs, advocacy initiatives, professional education and events for the San Francisco Chapter. He will report directly to Lizzy Moore, West Regional Director.

"We are thrilled to have Chris join our Recording Academy family and bring his dynamic experience and innovation to the role of Executive Director," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "With his background so heavily rooted in education, youth, and artist development, there is no doubt he will bring great contributions to the Bay Area music community and to our organization at large."

Prior to joining The Academy, Wiltsee founded Youth Movement Records, a nonprofit youth-run recording company based in Oakland, Calif. As a model for music education and youth engagement nationally, the label was featured on National Public Radio and its artists have charted on iTunes, helping hundreds of underserved youth to find their voices and direction to college and careers.

Wiltsee has more than 15 years experience in developing innovative organizations combining music, community and education. In 2006 he cofounded AMP, the All-Ages Movement Project, developing a national resource for all-ages music venues and communities. In December, AMP will release a book titled "In Every Town," which will serve as a guide for building vibrant all-ages music communities. He is also co-founder of Blink Tank, where he was instrumental in developing copublishing deals for artists, including Paul Wall's album Fast Life which debuted at No. 15 on the Billboard Top 200 list chart May 2009.

Wiltsee earned a Masters degree from the University of Michigan and his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz. –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers