June 05, 2025 I Appointments
Palen Music Center Names Seth Swafford as New President
Seth Swafford
Palen Music Center, a full-line music retailer based in the Midwest, has appointed Seth Swafford as its new president. In this role, Swafford will guide strategic initiatives, among its 250 employees, to drive growth and operational excellence across all 10 Palen Music locations throughout the Midwest.
Swafford brings a wealth of experience from the Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG) industry and the retail analytic software technology sector. Over the course of his career, he has successfully partnered with 19 Fortune 500 companies, demonstrating a strong track record of customer-centric leadership, data-driven solutions to complex challenges, and business transformation.
“We are thrilled to welcome Seth to the Palen Music family,” said Brett Palen, owner/CEO of Palen Music. “His unique background combining CPG strategy and cutting-edge retail analytics, along with his proven leadership with major national brands, makes him the ideal person to lead us into our next chapter.”
Swafford’s appointment comes at a time of transformation for Palen Music. As the company, which currently partners with more than 500 school locations, continues to grow its footprint in music education, retail and technology. Swafford’s leadership will be critical in fostering innovation, operational efficiency and exceptional customer experiences.
“I’m honored to join a company with such a rich history and inspiring mission,” Swafford. said “Palen Music has made a profound impact on musicians of all ages for over 62 years. I look forward to working with the talented team here to continue that legacy and drive new opportunities for growth.”
