Universal Names Josh Van Valkenburg Nashville President
Van Valkenburg will lead Universal Music Publishing Group's Nashville operations starting January 4, 2027, succeeding Troy Tomlinson's advisory transition.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Country
Universal Music Publishing Group named Josh Van Valkenburg president of UMPG Nashville, announced by chairman and CEO Jody Gerson. Troy Tomlinson, who has led the Nashville unit since 2019, will move to an exclusive advisory role.
Why it matters
The leadership change places a publisher with a background at EMI and Sony Music Publishing Nashville in charge of one of the city's major publishing operations. The transition also marks a shift in leadership for a company that has been led by Tomlinson for several years.
Van Valkenburg launched his publishing career at EMI in 2006 and joined Sony Music Publishing Nashville in 2015 before his 2021 promotion. Tomlinson has worked in music publishing for more than four decades, including 15 years at Acuff-Rose and 2005 to 2019 as president and CEO of Sony/ATV Nashville.
The players
Universal Music Publishing Group
Universal Music Publishing Group is the music publishing arm of Universal Music Group, one of the largest music companies in the world.
Josh Van Valkenburg
Josh Van Valkenburg is a music publishing executive who began his career at EMI in 2006 before moving to Sony Music Publishing Nashville.
Troy Tomlinson
Troy Tomlinson is a veteran Nashville music publishing executive who has worked in the industry for more than four decades, including as president and CEO of Sony/ATV Nashville.
Jody Gerson
Jody Gerson is the chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group, to whom Van Valkenburg will report.
The details
Van Valkenburg was most recently executive vice president of creative at Sony Music Publishing Nashville. He will report to Jody Gerson and be based in Nashville, overseeing management and creative direction while leading efforts to identify, sign and develop emerging talent.
Timeline
2006: Van Valkenburg launches his music publishing career at EMI.
2015: Van Valkenburg joins Sony Music Publishing Nashville.
2019: Tomlinson becomes chairman and CEO of UMPG Nashville.
November 10, 2026: The appointment is announced.
January 4, 2027: Van Valkenburg assumes the presidency and Tomlinson moves to an advisory role.
Industry Roots
Tomlinson led Sony/ATV Nashville from 2005 to 2019 before taking over UMPG Nashville, a path that reflects the consolidation of major publishers in Music Row. Van Valkenburg's rise from EMI through Sony Music Publishing Nashville mirrors the career track of many executives who moved between the city's largest catalogs.
Songwriters and artists signed to UMPG Nashville will work under new day-to-day creative leadership starting in January 2027. Listeners are unlikely to see immediate changes, as the transition is structured as a planned succession with Tomlinson remaining in an advisory capacity.
The takeaway
Leadership successions in music publishing often shape which writers and catalogs receive support for years afterward. Readers following Nashville's music industry can track how the new presidency builds on the existing roster and signing pipeline.
What happens next
Van Valkenburg assumes the UMPG Nashville presidency on January 4, 2027, and Tomlinson moves to his advisory role on the same date.
Further reading
Explore more Nashville Country coverage for context on the city's music publishing scene.
