Michael Molenda is the longest sitting Editor-in-Chief of Guitar Player magazine (1997-2018). During his tenure, Molenda founded Guitar Player's Guitar Superstar Competition, the Certified Legend Award, the Ronnie Montrose Rock the Nation Award for Young Guitarists, and the Play It Forward charity and mentoring initiative. Post-Guitar Player, Molenda started the content websites Guardians of Guitar and NowGenDrums, as well as serving as Chief Digital Editor for Modern Drummer and social-network manager for Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp. A long-time San Francisco Bay Area musician, recording-studio owner, engineer/producer, and video editor, Molenda also writes marketing and promo copy for companies such as Line 6, Yamaha, and Graph Tech, and is currently vice president for Instrumental Guitar and West Coast Rock at Mi5 Recordings/Universal Music Group.