Las Vegas, NV – Delegates to the 100th American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) Convention have re-elected Ray Hair as International President.

“There has never been a more humbling moment than to be re-elected as President of this great union,” said AFM International President Ray Hair. “I consider the affirmation and trust placed in me by our delegates, our locals and our members to be sacred, and I look forward to working with our marvelous International Executive Board to improve the lives of musicians everywhere.”

Jay Blumenthal, who previously served as Assistant Treasurer and Director of AFM’s Symphonic Service’s Division, was elected Secretary-Treasurer. Vice President Bruce Fife, Vice President from Canada Alan Willaert, and International Executive Board members John Acosta (Local 47, Los Angeles), Tino Gagliardi (Local 802, New York City), Tina Morrison (Local 105, Spokane), Joe Parente (Local 77, Philadelphia), and Dave Pomeroy (Local 257, Nashville) were also elected at the convention.

Ray Hair, first elected to lead the union in 2010, is AFM’s 11th International President. As International President, he negotiates industry-wide agreements with the sound recording industry, the film and television industries, and other industry associations that employ musicians. Ray is also co-chair of the American Federation of Musicians and Employers’ Pension Fund and represents the union’s 80,000 members on the AFM & SAG-AFTRA Fund and SoundExchange boards.

Before becoming International President, Ray served on AFM’s International Executive Board and was President of the Dallas-Fort Worth Professional Musicians Association, AFM Local 72-147, for 28 years. A drummer who has performed all styles of music for over 45 years, Ray holds degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi and the University of North Texas, where he taught drum set and percussion.