Andy Mooney brings over 35 years of experience to Fender Music Instruments Corporation (FMIC), the world’s leading guitar and musical instruments manufacturer, transforming music history since 1946. Joining the company in this role in June of 2015, he oversees all of the company’s operations. During his year helming Fender, Andy has shepherded a myriad of key product launches, fostering exponential growth. In addition, he’s focused on building a team that’s continually growing as well as galvanizing the company’s digital approach to speak directly to the next generation of guitarists.
Throughout his career, he has consistently exemplified what it means to be a modern maverick, disruptor and trailblazer. However, he personally prefers a rather unexpected, though nevertheless revealing characterization, describing himself as a “guitar geek with big company experience.” That “big company experience,” as he puts it, is something of a humble understatement. Andy worked at Nike for 20 years, starting in the UK as Chief Financial Officer before seguing into Marketing and eventually the role of Chief Marketing Officer in the United States during 1994. He headed the $3 billion global apparel organization, overseeing all things Nike and Jordan while implementing legendary advertising campaigns. Following Nike, Andy spent 11 years at Disney, becoming the Chairman of Disney Consumer Products in 2000. Among other achievements, he personally envisioned and spearheaded the launch of the monumental Disney Princess Franchise, which was recently valued at over $4 billion, when he was struck with inspiration after a Disney on Ice performance. A true enigma, he’s just as quick to quote Metallica lyrics as he is to espouse his love for iconic brands.
Joining Fender as CEO would complete the circle for the lifelong guitar aficionado and music fan, since he’s proudly played guitar for over 50 years. Growing up in Whitburn, which he describes as “a small mining village in Scotland, halfway between Edinburgh and Glasgow,” Andy lived in a house filled with music. His father played piano daily and encouraged him to pick up an instrument; the guitar called to him. Inspired by the legendary Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple, he immersed himself in woodshedding, playing in multiple bands. By the time he joined Fender, his impressive collection encompassed nearly 50 guitars, most of them Fender including a ‘52 Telecaster® and ‘55 Stratocaster®. As a devout hard rock and heavy metal fan, lately he’s been jamming on his John 5 Signature Telecaster, along with a HSS version of the new Fender Elite Stratocaster. Among the highlights in his guitar collection is also a Jackson Custom Shop Randy Rhoads made from Korina wood.
Outside of music, Andy remains a devout family man, cooking breakfast for his daughter every morning—though he admits to skipping the chocolate chips “which occasionally find their way into her waffles.” He works out every day, maintains a positive outlook, and loves discovering new music at The Roxy and Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles. His passions fuel everything he does and continues to lead him towards innovation at every turn.
