Big Machine Label Group has announced the promotion of General Manager Andrew Kautz to chief operating officer.

Kautz (pictured) will continue to oversee all operations of the label, spearheading the company's financial, legal, administrative and business development processes.

As one of the original employees when Big Machine opened its doors on Music Row in 2005, Kautz has been instrumental in growing the then start-up with 13 employees to a staff of more than 60, according BMLG CEO and President Scott Borchetta. He has helped drive some of Big Machine’s largest initiatives, including the label’s performance royalty rights agreements last year with Clear Channel and Entercom.

“Andrew has literally been with me before we even settled on the name Big Machine,” Borchetta said in a release. “He bought into the vision from our very first sit-down meeting at the Sunset Grill and has never veered from that vision, he has only added to it. He has been my 'get-it-done guy' from the first moment. This promotion is richly deserved."

Before joining Big Machine, Kautz was COO of The Emerald Entertainment Group. An advisory member of the American Association of Independent Music, he earned a bachelor's degree in music business from Belmont University.