Board of Directors and Officers

Barry Bittman, MD
Board Chairman, CEO & President - YMWI

Barry Bittman, MD is a neurologist, author, international speaker, award-winning producer/director and research scientist.  Dr. Bittman leads innovative interdisciplinary teams in the development of protocols, algorithms and comprehensive integrative strategies that enable an integrated delivery network to optimize care and achieve Triple Aim objectives.

His “whole person” approach has been featured in numerous leading publications throughout the world, including USA Today, Business Week, Time, Prevention, Discover, O (Oprah Magazine), the New York Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Washington Post, Scientific American, Men’s Fitness, Health magazine, Spirituality & Health, New Age Journal, Self magazine and others. His perspectives have also been shared in a host of interviews including CNN Headline News.

Dr. Bittman’s primary research is in the field of Psychoneuroimmunology. Several of his publications that have advanced the field of recreational music making are detailed in this website.

Tom Sumner
Director - YMWI

Tom Sumner is President of Yamaha Corporation of America (YCA).

Previously he held positions as Senior Vice President of Yamaha Corporation of America and as President of Yamaha Electronics Corporation USA.

Mr. Sumner also served as Vice President and General Manager of Yamaha Corp. of America’s pro audio and combo division. He joined YCA in 1988 as National Account Manager for the consumer products division.

Tom holds a B.A. from California State University Sacramento and an M.B.A. from Pepperdine University.

Tracy Bargielski
Director - YMWI

Tracy L. Bargielski is Corporate Secretary and Vice President of the Human Resources Division for Yamaha Corporation of America (YCA).

Tracy has over twenty-five years of human resources management experience, including managing global HR.

Tracy was included in a small group of international executives selected by Yamaha Corporation of Japan to participate in the prestigious Yamaha Global Institute (2012) which partners with Hitosubashi University on an International Strategic Management program.

Tracy earned her bachelor's degree at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana and holds certifications in PCM, Process Communication Modeling, as a trainer and coach.

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Garth Gilman
Director - YMWI

Garth Gilman serves as corporate vice president for Yamaha Corporation of America (YCA). His duties include managing the company’s Band & Orchestral division and overseeing the Music Education department in Buena Park, California. Garth is also the vice president of Yamaha Artist Services, Inc. in New York, NY.

Garth has served as a process owner and executive sponsor for Yamaha’s business re-engineering project (Process Excellence Project) since 2004. He is also one of a select number of managers to have participated in accelerated development courses offered by Yamaha Corporation, including Advanced Leadership Training (2006) and the 3-year Yamaha Global Institute (2010) program.

Garth graduated from Pepperdine University, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in management and a master’s degree in business administration. He also earned a certificate in Supply Chain Management from California State University, Fullerton and a Facility Director certificate from the Los Angeles County Office of Education.

Prior to joining YCA, Garth was the senior manager at the flagship campus of a non-profit vocational school (NTMA Training Centers). He also previously headed Management Advisory Services for the nation’s largest employer association (Employers Group).