Universal Publishing Nashville Names Josh Van Valkenburg President

Josh Van Valkenburg has been named president of Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville, it was announced by UMPG chairman & CEO Jody Gerson.

Van Valkenburg will report to Gerson, be based in Nashville and assume his position on January 4, 2027, as longtime UMPG Nashville chairman & CEO Troy Tomlinson transitions to an exclusive advisory role, according to the announcement.

In his new position, Van Valkenburg will oversee the management and creative direction of UMPG Nashville, leading the team in identifying, signing and developing emerging talent and supporting its acclaimed roster of songwriters, artists and producers.

Van Valkenburg was most recently executive VP of creative at Sony Music Publishing Nashville, promoted to that role in 2021 after joining the company in 2015. Over the years he has worked closely with such talents as ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Josh Osborne, four-time BMI Songwriter of the Year Ross Copperman and SESAC Songwriter of the Year Jon Nite. He launched his music publishing career at EMI in 2006.

In making the announcement, Gerson said, “Country music is more global today than at any time in its history, and the opportunities for Nashville’s songwriters have never been greater. Josh brings the vision, ambition and leadership skills to build on that momentum, along with deep relationships throughout the creative community and a gift for identifying and developing exceptional songwriters. I’m thrilled to welcome him to UMPG and look forward to all he and our Nashville team will accomplish together.”

Van Valkenburg added, “Jody Gerson is an exceptional leader who remains steadfastly passionate about fighting for creatives and their art. I’m grateful for her trust and the opportunity to lead UMPG Nashville into its next chapter. I want to honor Troy Tomlinson for his genuine love of songwriters, his willingness to share his wisdom and experience with the many of us who look up to him, and his long-standing leadership within UMPG and the greater Nashville creative community.”

Tomlinson has served as chairman and CEO of UMPG Nashville since 2019. Over more than four decades, he has worked closely with such artists as Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Megan Moroney, Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Brooks & Dunn and Kelsea Ballerini; and writers including Chase McGill, Tom Douglas, Tony Lane, Jim Beavers, Rodney Crowell, Dean Dillon and Casey Beathard. He previously served as President and CEO of Sony/ATV Nashville from 2005 to 2019, having joined the company in 2002. Before Sony/ATV, he spent 15 years at Acuff-Rose Music Publishing. He previously led the Nashville division of Fame Music Publishing.

Of Tomlinson, Gerson said, “Having worked with Troy for nearly 15 years, first at Sony and then at UMPG, has been a gift, and I’m deeply grateful for his leadership and friendship. He is loved and respected throughout Nashville by the songwriters and artists he’s championed and, equally, by his countless colleagues across the industry. Troy is an icon in the Nashville and publishing communities, and I’m thrilled that, as he eases into retirement after such an illustrious career, he’s agreed to stay on as an advisor and continue sharing his wisdom and experience with us.”

Tomlinson said, “Reuniting with Jody, an extraordinary leader and dear friend, has been deeply rewarding, and I’m proud of what we’ve built together. I’m also grateful to our Nashville team for their never-ending passion and commitment to songwriters. Having brought Josh onto our creative team at Sony/ATV many years back, I know firsthand his ear for songs, eye for talent and deep understanding of music publishing. I’m thrilled Josh will lead UMPG Nashville and confident he’ll take this team to new heights. After more than four decades in music publishing, I’m looking forward to more time with my family, especially spoiling my grandsons, and I’m deeply grateful to my wife for the love and care she’s given us all.”