Joel. A. Katz Named Chairman of the T.J. Martell Foundation National Board of Directors

The T.J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia, Cancer and AIDS Research, the music industry's leading cancer research funding organization, announced that the foundation's board of directors had appointed Joel A. Katz as chairman of the board. Katz, chair of the global entertainment and media practice at Greenberg Traurig, has served on the T.J. Martell Foundation's board since 1995 and will succeed Tony Martell who died November 27, 2016, at the age of 90.

"It is an honor to have the opportunity to build on the strong foundation established by Tony Martell," said Katz. "The T.J. Martell Foundation has tremendous opportunities for growth in supporting innovative cancer research and ultimately improving the lives of patients. I am honored to have been selected as chair of this outstanding organization."

"On behalf of the Martell Family, it gives us great pleasure to have Joel Katz as the Chairman of the T.J. Martell Foundation," said Debbie Martell, daughter of Tony Martell. "Joel was very close to my father for many years as his entertainment attorney and as his friend. He will be an excellent leader and will help continue the important mission of the foundation."

The Foundation was founded in 1975 in loving memory of Tony Martell's son T.J., who died of leukemia. The foundation has provided more than $280 million dollars for research that supports eight flagship hospitals in the United States.

"We are deeply grateful and very excited about our future with Joel Katz. He has demonstratEd Strong leadership and commitment to the Foundation for many years," said Laura Heatherly, the CEO of the organization.

Last year the foundation established the "Joel A. Katz Music Is Medicine Fund," which supports a grant at the Winship Cancer Institute in Atlanta, Georgia. This coincided with the opening of the "Joel A. Katz Music Is Medicine Collection," the donation of a diverse assemblage of priceless music memorabilia ever displayed in any hospital. He has received the T.J. Martell Foundation's "Spirit of Excellence Award" in 2009 and 2010, as well as serving as Chair Emeritus of the Atlanta's Best Cellars Dinner for the foundation.

Katz is the number-one-ranked entertainment attorney in Billboard magazine's 'Power 100' list of the most influential executives in the music business. A dominant force in the entertainment industry, Katz is an active and influential contributor who has played a profound role in shaping his profession and also in spearheading philanthropic endeavors in education and cancer research. His star-studded roster includes music industry legends from all genres including artists, producers, promoters and influential business leaders. His client list has included some of the world's most celebrated entertainers including James Brown, Willie Nelson, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Jamie Foxx, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Ludacris, Jimmy Buffett, Julio Iglesias, Little Big Town, TLC, StEve Harvey, Tim McGRaw and Faith Hill.

For more information about the T.J. Martell Foundation, please visit www.tjmartell.org, www.facebook.com/tjmartellfoundation, www.twitter.com/tjmartell, www.pinterest.com/tjmartellfndn, and www.instagram.com/tjmartellfoundation.