The GRAMMY Foundation Names Ryan Seacrest Honorary Chair of the Board

The GRAMMY Foundation - one of two affiliated charities of The Recording Academy - announced today that Ryan Seacrest has been appointed Honorary Chair of the GRAMMY Foundation Board. The GRAMMY Foundation offers year-round music Education programs for high school students and schools; and advancement, archiving and preservation, and grant-making programs to safeguard important collections and fund research at the intersection of music and science. Seacrest joins current GRAMMY Foundation Board Chairman and new venture backer Rusty Rueff; Vice Chair Tim Bucher, founder and CEO of TastingRoom.com and Silicon Valley-based entrepreneur; Secretary/Treasurer Geoff Cottrill, chief marketing officer of Converse; and Chair Emeritus Beatriz R. Perez, chief sustainability officer of the Coca-Cola Company, in leadership positions at the organization.

"I speak for all of the officers and directors of the GRAMMY Foundation in wholeheartedly welcoming Ryan to our Board," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy and GRAMMY Foundation. "I've known Ryan personally and professionally for many years, and his energy, Integrity and keen vision will bring an increased strength to our mission and programs."

"Contributing to the great work of the GRAMMY Foundation will be an honor and privilege, as music has forever been a powerful force in my life," said Seacrest. "It's truly exciting to join the Board and help launch the Music Educator Award, which will recognize one of America's greatest treasures: music teachers."

In recognition of the significant role of teachers in shaping their students' musical experiences, the GRAMMY Foundation and The Recording Academy are partnering to present the first Music Educator Award. Open to current U.S. music teachers kindergarten through college, the Music Educator Award will be awarded annually starting in 2014 during GRAMMY Week. The nomination process will launch online beginning Feb. 10 at www.grammymusicteacher.com and the deadline for submissions is April 15.