Fender Taps Edward “Bud” Cole as New CEO

Fender, the legendary guitar manufacturer, has named Edward “Bud” Cole as the company’s new CEO. The previous CEO, Andy Mooney, will retire after a decade in the role.

The details:

• Cole will officially fill the role on February 16.

• Cole will also join the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) board of directors.

• As President of Fender Asia Pacific, Cole brought Fender to 14 new countries, including China and Korea.

• He also opened Fender’s first flagship store in Tokyo.

What they said:

• FMIC board executive chairman Mark Fukunaga: “[Bud] has a deep understanding of the Fender brand, our global players, and the commercial and operational foundation required to propel us into the future. His track record of building teams, expanding markets, and elevating Fender’s presence around the world makes him uniquely qualified to lead the next chapter of growth. On behalf of the board, I also want to thank Andy Mooney for his leadership over the past decade and for the significant contributions he has made to the company.”

• Cole: “To lead Fender is the honor of a lifetime. This brand has been a part of my life since childhood, and I’m committed to ensuring Fender continues to empower players everywhere, from beginners picking up their first guitar to the artists shaping the sound of today and tomorrow. Together with our global teams, partners, and loyal community of players, we will write the next era of Fender’s history.”