PRESS RELEASE
Texas Music Educators Association Announces Retirement of Executive Director
June 29, 2023
AUSTIN, TEXAS (June 29, 2023)—Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) announced today that the association’s longtime Executive Director, Robert Floyd, will be retiring from his position effective June 2024.
“Robert Floyd is a true champion of music education who has worked tirelessly to ensure music education opportunities were protected for all students at every level,” said TMEA President Dana Pradervand-Sedatole. “For 30 years, he has been a passionate advocate and a driving force in shaping TMEA’s mission and vision, and his leadership and expertise have helped our association grow and thrive.”
After working 26 years as a Texas music educator, Floyd began his tenure as TMEA Executive Director on June 15, 1993, with a staff of four, serving TMEA’s 8,000 members. In these 30 years, he has played a pivotal role in expanding TMEA’s programs and services, growing the membership to 19,800, and ensuring financial stability and security. Floyd’s focus on our association’s financial investments and business management has been crucial during the most challenging times.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve TMEA, our members, and the students they teach throughout the past 30 years as Executive Director. There is no greater calling than the opportunity to shape children’s lives through music,” Floyd said. “The decision to leave the classroom in 1993 to assume this position was a difficult one, but I rationalized that through it, I could serve millions of students in the public and private schools of Texas, especially via the political and policy arena. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to remarkably dedicated staff members and Executive Boards who have supported me through the years in this role. It has been a rewarding journey with memories I will always cherish.”
The TMEA Executive Board will soon announce the application process and expects to select an Executive Director Designate later this year who will begin serving in the official capacity no later than June 2024. Floyd will continue to serve as TMEA’s Executive Director throughout the selection process and transition period, ensuring a strong continuity of leadership.
About
Since 1920, Texas Music Educators Association has worked to ensure excellence in music education for all Texas students. TMEA’s 19,800 members include over 13,800 school music educators who belong to one of five TMEA Divisions: Band, Orchestra, Vocal, Elementary, and College. Members elect Vice-Presidents to their Division to guide the Division’s programming. On behalf of its members and Texas students, TMEA monitors the actions of state decision-making bodies on issues affecting fine arts instruction in Texas. In addition to many member benefits, TMEA offers professional development for its members through workshops and its annual Clinic/Convention that hosts over 30,000 attendees. TMEA supports the future of music education by offering scholarships to music education majors and sponsoring the Texas Future Music Educators, an organization through which high school students interested in careers in music education learn more about what to expect in their college education and future careers.
Media Contact
Karen Cross, Communications Manager, kcross@tmea.org, 512-452-0710, ext. 107