Cesar Gueikian stands as the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Gibson Guitar Company, a role where he spearheads a leadership team comprised of seasoned executives. This team brings extensive expertise spanning global brand building, product development, commercial solutions, marketing and media, manufacturing and operations, finance, and human resources. Since joining Gibson in November 2018, Gueikian has been instrumental in driving transformative solutions across brand dynamics, team development, product innovation, media evolution, the direct-to-consumer transition, and profitable business growth for the iconic Gibson Guitar Company.
He has been pivotal in the resurgence of Gibson Guitar Company, charting a new strategic course focused on Instruments, Sound, and Media. Recognizing the rich legacy of innovation at Gibson Guitar Company, Cesar established Gibson Labs, aiming to propel this heritage into the future across all facets of the brand and product categories. Expanding Gibson Guitar Company‘s footprint into media, he launched Gibson TV, a platform delivering original content to music enthusiasts worldwide. Furthermore, Gibson Records was created to collaborate with Gibson artists, bringing their music to a global audience and reinforcing Gibson Guitar Company‘s cultural and musical connections.
In his position at Gibson Guitar Company, Cesar seamlessly blends his profound business acumen with a lifelong passion for music and, specifically, Gibson guitars. Cesar is an accomplished musician, guitarist, and songwriter. He received his first guitar at the age of 10 and has since explored diverse musical genres. Over the past 25 years, he has recorded and performed with numerous bands in studios and on stages across the globe, including stadiums and arenas. He has shared the stage with renowned artists such as Mana, Kirk Hammett and Rob Trujillo, Rex Brown, Dave Mustaine, Snake Sabo, Jared James Nichols, Richie Faulkner, and Fito Paez, among others. He has also co-written songs with Serj Tankian and Tony Iommi, showcasing his deep involvement in the music world that fuels his leadership at Gibson Guitar Company.
Cesar is also a dedicated collector of vintage guitars, with his collection exceeding 150 instruments. A significant portion of his collection is comprised of Gibson guitars, which are actively utilized in the development of Gibson Guitar Company‘s Original Collection, Historic Collection, and Vault Collection. This personal passion directly informs and enhances his strategic decisions for Gibson Guitar Company’s product lines.
His role at Gibson Guitar Company is a culmination of his diverse experiences. He spent 20 years as an entrepreneur and financier, investing in businesses globally. He has a proven track record of building executive teams and matrix leadership structures, refocusing companies on their core competencies, and developing compelling go-to-market strategies that drive profitable growth. Notably, he has successfully steered distressed companies back to growth trajectories. He has achieved three major successful investment exits, including his first, valued at over $1.5 billion in 2021, from a telecommunications company he co-founded in 2014. This financial expertise is invaluable to Gibson Guitar Company’s continued success.
Prior to joining Gibson Guitar Company, Cesar co-founded Melody Capital Partners, an alternative asset manager specializing in financing and restructuring private companies and related investments. Under his leadership, Melody’s assets under management grew from an initial $100 million investment to over $1.5 billion. Melody invested globally across sectors including consumer brands, telecommunications, real estate, music and entertainment, and F&B. Before co-founding Melody, Cesar held leadership positions at UBS and Deutsche Bank in both London and New York, accumulating extensive experience in the global financial landscape, which now benefits Gibson Guitar Company.
Cesar holds a B.A. in Business from Universidad de San Andres, Buenos Aires, Argentina, and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago, with specializations in Analytic Finance and Economics. This strong academic background underpins his strategic and analytical approach to leading Gibson Guitar Company.
Beyond his professional life, Cesar has a history as an athlete. As a tennis player, he competed in tournaments across Latin and North America from the ages of 8 to 18. He is also an avid surfer, kitesurfer, polo player, and snowboarder, describing himself as an extreme sports enthusiast. This drive and passion extend into his leadership style at Gibson Guitar Company.
He resides in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, three children, and two dogs. Cesar and his wife are deeply integrated into the community, actively participating in and leading numerous philanthropic projects aimed at improving lives, supporting music and education, and combating poverty and sexual violence. This commitment to community reflects the values he brings to Gibson Guitar Company, fostering a responsible and engaged corporate culture.
