Bill Velez is an industry veteran of forty-five years. Velez’ career came full circle when he assumed the post of Executive Director of the Radio Music License Committee, a non-profit that represents the majority of the nation’s commercial radio stations in license fee matters involving performance right organizations such as ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. His first job out of college was working as a radio licensing executive for ASCAP and, prior to joining the RMLC, his career was distinguished by having been employed by all three performance right organizations in the U.S. — ASCAP, BMI and, more recently, as President/COO of SESAC.
Under Velez’ direction at SESAC, the company introduced pattern recognition technology for the purpose of monitoring radio airplay and digital watermarking for the purpose of monitoring music performances on local television. This pioneering application of state-of-the-art technology led to SESAC’s introduction of an unprecedented “per play” form of radio industry license as well as the most accurate and fastest royalty distributions in the industry.
Velez’ education includes a B.A. (English) from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law. He has taught music industry and ethics courses as an Adjunct Professor at New York University and Nashville’s Belmont University and is an alumnus of Nashville’s Leadership Music program.
Apart from his professional career, Velez enjoys performing in musical theatre and working as a volunteer with various children’s organizations.