SUNY Potsdam Awards Honorary Doctorate to Larry Thomas, Former CEO of Guitar Center and Fender

Larry E. Thomas Recognized with Honorary Doctor of Music Degree from The State University of New York at Potsdam

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Larry E. Thomas, the founder of the Fender Music Foundation and former CEO of Guitar Center and Fender, received his honorary doctorate from SUNY Potsdam President Kristin G. Esterberg.

POTSDAM, NY (04/22/2016)(readMedia)-- The State University of New York at Potsdam presented Larry E. Thomas, the retired CEO of Fender Musical Instruments and Guitar Center, with an Honorary Doctor of Music degree in a special ceremony during the College's Economic Fusion Day, on April 20.

As home to The Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam was proud to recognize Thomas for his long career in music business, as well as his legacy in arts education and philanthropy. During his visit to SUNY Potsdam, Thomas visited music business classes and offered the keynote speech at Economic Fusion 2016.

Thomas has established a program to support students from the Crane Institute for Music Business and Entrepreneurship to travel to complete internships each year at the annual National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show. The first class of Thomas Interns attended the NAMM Show in Anaheim, Calif., and interned with a variety of corporations throughout the music products industry in January 2016. Larry and his wife Gina provided the generous support for this program and also spent a day with the students himself.

SUNY Potsdam President Dr. Kristin G. Esterberg presented Thomas with the honorary degree along with Thomas Intern Jack Dring '16, who read the official citation.

"Larry Thomas's many accomplishments go hand in hand with the mission of The Crane School of Music and SUNY Potsdam, which aim to shape music professionals in and out of the classroom. Larry has proven himself to be an advocate for the continued availability of music education programming in school and community programs nationwide. He fully understands the importance that the arts and self-expression can provide for people of all ages, and has worked to spread its positive influence throughout his career," Esterberg said.

Thomas spoke about lessons learned from his long and successful career in the music products industry. For him, the recognition was especially meaningful because he had never attended college himself and had worked his way up from a sales position to running the largest retail business in the music products industry.

"If you follow your passions and do what you like to do, you never know where life might take you," Thomas said. "I am delighted to receive this recognition. Pursue your dreams, because I really do believe that dreams can come true."

Photo caption: Following the ceremony, the 2016 Thomas Interns posed for a photo with (center, from left) Crane Institute for Music Business and Entrepreneurship Executive Director Carol "Kickie" Britt, SUNY Potsdam President Kristin G. Esterberg, Larry Thomas, Gina Thomas, Crane School of Music Dean Michael Sitton, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of Percussion James P. Petercsak and Vice President for Advancement Vicki Templeton-Cornell.

About the honoree:

Larry Thomas began his career in the music products industry in 1971, as an instrument wholesaler and importer with Buegeleisen and Jacobson Inc., before joining Guitar Center as a sales associate six years later. He diligently shared his passion for music and instruments on the ground floor for 10 years, until he was promoted to general manager in 1987. Thomas quickly gained recognition for his business acumen and fervor for music, moving up the corporate ladder to become president in 1991. He was then promoted to chief executive officer in 1997, a role he retained when three years later Thomas was named co-CEO and chairman of the board of directors, alongside Marty Albertson. Thomas retired in 2005, leaving behind a company that grew immensely under his supervision.

Thomas served on the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation Board of Directors until 2010, when he was tapped to lead the legendary guitar company. For a lifelong guitar aficionado, it was a dream come true. As the chief executive officer of Fender, Thomas oversaw a company with 3,000 employees and manufacturing facilities around the world. He was known for bringing an energetic leadership style to unleash creativity and innovation from employees at every level of the company. During his tenure, he led successful product launches for both the Fender Select and the Fender American Vintage series instruments, and established the company's first office in China. Under his leadership, the company also opened the doors of the Fender Visitor Center at the company's legendary original factory in Corona, Calif., so that people could see instruments made firsthand, and learn about Fender's long legacy and deep connections to the history of rock 'n roll, jazz, country, Motown and world music.

As a longtime leader in the music products industry, Thomas has long been involved with the National Association of Music Merchants, through his participation in the annual NAMM Show and educational programs. In 2005, he founded the Guitar Center Music Foundation, which then went on to become the Fender Music Foundation when he joined that corporation. The non-profit organization strives to support music education and therapy programs across the nation, through the donations of instruments and charitable funding. Through partnerships with companies such as Paul Reed Smith, Gibson and Martin, the foundation has provided donations of guitars, percussion instruments, pianos, woodwinds, keyboards, brass instruments, saxophones, classical string instruments and vibraphones to programs across the United States. Since 2005, the Fender Music Foundation has reached more than 187,000 people of all ages through programs across the country. Gifts and grants are directed toward in-need, ongoing programs.

Founded in 1886, The Crane School of Music offers a Bachelor of Music degree with an emphasis in music business. This degree program works closely with the Crane Institute for Music Business to provide the most comprehensive preparation for employment in the music industry, preparing students for careers in the music products and recording industries, and in arts administration. Crane also offers a minor in music business for music majors and non-music majors. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu/academics/Crane/MusicBusiness.

Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges-and the oldest institution within SUNY. As the College marks its bicentennial in 2016, SUNY Potsdam will celebrate a 200-year legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 4,200 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and leadership in the arts. Empowered by a culture of creativity, the campus community is nearing the completion of Take the Lead: The Campaign for Potsdam, which has already raised $32 million for scholarships and programs.

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