October 15, 2023 I Appointments
JJ Babbitt Names Trace Rorie President, COO
Trace Rorie
JJ Babbitt has appointed Trace Rorie as its new president and chief operating officer.
With a background in leadership and organizational development, coupled with extensive experience in the music industry and creative leadership as a whole, Trace Rorie brings a unique blend of talents to his new role. As a leadership and organizational development consultant, Trace has worked with a diverse range of teams and industries — from Fortune 500 organizations to not-for-profits — helping them to achieve their full potential. Trace is also an accomplished creative and musician. Having served as a writing and performing musician throughout his life, his passion and talent for music gives him a unique understanding and appreciation for the mouthpieces that JJ Babbitt manufactures, the artists who play them and the music that they create.
Previous to his new role at JJ Babbitt, Trace served as one of the lead creatives, and ultimately, the executive director, at Granger Community Church in Granger, Indiana — considered one of the fastest-growing mega-churches in America. This experience has allowed him to develop innovative approaches to problem-solving, team collaboration and idea generation, while delivering exceptional results.
“I am truly honored and immensely excited to join the JJ Babbitt Company and family,” Trace Rorie said. “This company has a long history — over 100 years — of producing exceptional mouthpieces for exceptional artists, and I am committed to building on that legacy as we push toward a new era of excellence and innovation. I look forward to working closely with the talented team at JJ Babbitt — a close-knit, passionate team of craftsman and artisans — to drive excellence, innovation and to continue delivering the best products to musicians worldwide for another 100 years and beyond!”
“I am confident that Trace’s leadership and diverse background will play a pivotal role in shaping the company’s future growth and success,” said Steve Rorie, chairman and CEO of JJ Babbitt. “His appointment reflects the company’s dedication to not just maintaining, but building and expanding upon its already remarkable reputation for excellence and innovation in the broader music industry. It also reflects our family’s commitment to private ownership and the ongoing objective of generational succession for our company, our team members, and the industry as a whole.”
