NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Aug. 15, 2024 – The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum recently promoted Haley Houser to associate director to the CEO, Aaron Helvig to director of school and music programs, Dana Romanello to director of museum sales and Joe Bridges to director of security. Details below.

Office of the CEO
Haley Houser has been named associate director to the CEO. In this role, Houser facilitates and stewards relationships with museum board members, artists, government officials and museum supporters; organizes and executes quarterly board meetings, committee meetings and other events; and provides strategic council and coordinates special projects and initiatives for the CEO’s office. She also serves in the leadership of the museum’s Employee Experience Committee — planning various social and informational events for museum staff. Houser joined the museum in 2013 and most recently served as executive assistant to the CEO. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Georgia College & State University.

Education
Aaron Helvig has been promoted to director of school and music programs. In this role, he guides curriculum-based programs for school audiences, as well as music-centered programs that serve schools, community organizations and general museum visitors. Among his team’s responsibilities is the museum’s flagship education program, Words & Music®, which brought songwriting to over 10,000 participants in 2023. Prior to his promotion, Helvig held the position of associate director of music programs at the museum. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master’s degree in music from Northern Arizona University.

Museum Sales
Dana Romanello has been named director of museum sales. In this role, Romanello oversees sales strategies, visitation revenue and develops guest experience offerings for the nonprofit museum. In addition, she represents the museum within the tourism community — focusing on serving and expanding national and international audiences. Since joining the museum in 2014, Romanello has served in multiple roles, most recently as associate director of museum sales. She previously worked with Skaggs Family Records and American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications with a concentration in public relations and a minor in music from Marshall University, as well as a Student Travel Professional certification from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Romanello has served as secretary for the Student & Youth Travel Association Youth Foundation Board of Trustees and is a Leadership Bluegrass alumna.

Security
Joe Bridges has been promoted to director of security. Bridges and the security team maintain a safe and enjoyable environment for staff and visitors, while continuously securing museum facilities and holdings. He joined the museum in 2018 and most recently served as associate director of security. With 30 years of security management experience, Bridges previously worked as regional operations manager for a security company. He also served for four years active duty in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper in the 1st Ranger Battalion and the 82nd Airborne Division with overseas deployments. He has an associate’s degree in applied science from Nashville State Community College.