By Allison Watkinson
TLL Reporter
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) has appointed Edward ‘Bud’ Cole to the role of CEO and member of the board of directors.
Cole will begin serving as CEO-designate beginning on January 19, and will officially assume the CEO position on February 16, 2026.
He will be taking on the role from Andy Mooney, who plans to retire following a decade of work for the company.
“Leading Fender has been a highlight of my career,” said Andy Mooney. “I’m deeply grateful for the creativity and commitment of the Fender teams around the world and proud of what we’ve accomplished. I’m excited to pass the baton on to Bud and confident that under his leadership, Fender will continue to inspire players for generations to come.”
Cole most recently served FMIC as the president of its Asia Pacific division, where he worked to expand the business across 14 countries throughout the region.
During this time, he contributed to launching Fender’s Tokyo headquarters and established new commercial and operational capabilities.
He also played key roles in building direct-to-dealer operations in Australia, expanding Fender’s e-commerce retail presence, establishing licensing partnerships with local artists and more.
“To lead Fender is the honor of a lifetime,” said Cole. “This brand has been a part of my life since childhood, and I’m committed to ensuring Fender continues to empower players everywhere, from beginners picking up their first guitar to the artists shaping the sound of today and tomorrow,” added Cole. “Together with our global teams, partners, and loyal community of players, we will write the next era of Fender’s history.”
Prior to joining FMIC, Cole held senior leadership roles with prominent global brands from the lifestyle, luxury and consumer branding sectors.
This previous experience included roles that focused on commercial expansion and brand development for Pernod Ricard, LVMH, QVC and Ralph Lauren.
“Bud has been one of the most impactful leaders within our organization,” said FMIC executive chairman, Mark Fukunaga. “He has a deep understanding of the Fender brand, our global players, and the commercial and operational foundation required to propel us into the future. His track record of building teams, expanding markets, and elevating Fender’s presence around the world makes him uniquely qualified to lead the next chapter of growth,” added Fukunaga. “On behalf of the Board, I also want to thank Andy Mooney for his leadership over the past decade and for the significant contributions he has made to the company.”
Launched in 1946, FMIC is a global company that operates a portfolio of wholly-owned and licensed brands related to the music and performance industry.
The company’s portfolio includes well-known labels such as Fender, Squier, Gretsch, Jackson, EVH, Charvel, Bigsby and PreSonus.
While its main focus is the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of instruments, it also offers a range of apps and learning platforms that are designed to complement its Fender branded guitars, amplifiers, effects pedals, accessories and pro-audio gear.
Photo Credit:
FMIC CEO-designate Edward ‘Bud’ Cole by photographer Naoki Tsuruta.
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