Gotee Records proudly announces Jess Loper as its new General Manager, marking a significant leadership transition for the independent label. Loper will report directly to Joey Elwood, now the CEO of Bell Partners Christian Music, which recently entered into a new agreement naming Gotee Records as its primary imprint.
“As a company, we’ve changed so much over the last 10 years, and our staff, I think, is pound for pound the best in the business because our job titles do not speak to the breadth of what each person does,” shared Elwood. “Jess is an example of this incredible versatility as she has touched every facet of our business—Brand Management, Publishing, Label Services, and Operations—during her eight years at Gotee. Her appointment to GM is a natural and well-earned progression in her career, and we couldn’t be more excited for this next chapter.”
Before stepping into the General Manager role, Loper served as Vice President of Brand Management (Gotee Records) and Publishing (Emack Music), playing a pivotal role in artist development and music publishing. She has been instrumental in A&R efforts for artists such as Jon Reddick, Hollyn, Aaron Cole, Joseph O’Brien, Charly Beathard, and RENEE, while also cultivating key writer relationships for Emack Music’s Tyrus Morgan, Hunter Leath, Ben Shive, and Lindsey Sweat. Additionally, she has contributed to film and TV music placements across major networks including ESPN, Fox Sports, ABC, NBC, and VH1, and provided administrative support for Man Cub Music, the publishing entity of Bryan Fowler and Micah Kuiper.
Loper’s extensive background in the music industry began with Capitol CMG/Universal Music, where she worked in A&R, production, business affairs, and licensing for a prestigious roster that included Amy Grant, Chris Tomlin, Kari Jobe, TobyMac, and Passion/sixstepsrecords. Her journey in the media world began as an Editor at Business Wire, where she worked in newsroom operations distributing press releases to the Associated Press.
In 2017, she joined Gotee Records, where she has led branding, publishing, and operational strategy, helping shape the label’s evolving vision. Most recently, Loper launched Without Labels Collective, a company specializing in music supervision and licensing for film & television (The Jesus Music Documentary, Trinity Broadcasting Networks, The Huckabee Show, Compassion International, and Thrive). Through this venture, she also focuses on educating and supporting songwriters and artists on the business side of the creative process.
Loper is deeply involved in the broader Christian music community, serving on the Board of the CMPA and working closely with the GMA Dove Awards. Outside of her professional life, she treasures her role as a mother to Brody (16) and Kellen (13). In the spring of 2022, she married her favorite songwriter, Brent Loper, in a heartfelt ceremony at their farmhouse in Culleoka, TN.