FAIR TRADE SERVICES KICKS OFF THE NEW YEAR WITH TWO STAFF PROMOTIONS
Former COO Darren Elrod Becomes President, James Rueger Promoted To Chief Creative Officer
2024/01/10.FairTradeServicesKicksOff2024WithTwoPromotionsDarrenElrodToPresidentJamesRuegerToCCO.asp NEWS SOURCE: Merge PR January 10, 2024
10 January 2024 - Brentwood, Tennessee - Christian Music executives Darren Elrod and James Rueger have been promoted to President and Chief Creative Officer of Fair Trade Services (FTS), respectively. These promotions were announced today by Fair Trade Services Founder and CEO Jeff Moseley, to whom both will report.
In Elrod’s expanded role, he will oversee all aspects of FTS’s business, financial, and marketing matters while continuing to manage the company’s day-to-day activities. Rueger will oversee all aspects of the company’s A&R and creative-related objectives for both the recorded music and music publishing businesses. Both will work closely with Moseley who will continue to oversee label strategy to support the ongoing development of FTS.
“Darren and James have consistently exhibited excellence in their respective areas of responsibility for our company," Moseley explains. "This is public recognition of what our artists and managers have already known. They—along with our amazing team—have continued to deliver for our roster of artists for many years. Their promotions are well-deserved and strengthen Fair Trade Services for the years ahead."
Elrod joined the FTS team three years ago as COO. With more than 20 years in the industry, Elrod was previously COO at Provident Label Group, departing in 2020. He shares, “I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and excited about the future. We have such an incredible roster of artists at Fair Trade Services and this company exists to serve these artists well. I look forward to continuing this work with Jeff, James, and the rest of the team.”
Rueger has been with FTS since 2005. He initially joined as an A&R manager leading to his most recent role as Sr. VP of A&R before becoming CCO. “I’ve been fortunate enough to spend 19 years at Fair Trade Services working alongside and advocating for our gifted, passionate artists and songwriters," Rueger says. "They are incredible music makers, and I’m as excited as I’ve ever been to continue the journey with them.”
ABOUT FAIR TRADE SERVICES: Fair Trade Services is an independent record label founded in 1999. Based in Brentwood, Tennessee, FTS serves the faith-based community and is home to numerous multi-platinum and gold-selling artists, including MercyMe, Phil Wickham, CeCe Winans, Micah Tyler, Anthony Brown & Group therAPy, The Afters, and others. Fair Trade is also home to Fair Trade Music Publishing and Fair Trade Films.
This Thursday, November 20, 2025
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Britt Nicole II II V (independent)
