Rafael Gil, President/CEO of EMI Recorded Music, Latin America, is retiring after more than three decades with the company.

EMI will announce a replacement in the coming weeks.

"Rafael has been one of the Latin music world's most influential and highly regarded executives," said EMI Recorded Music Chairman/CEO Alain Levy. "Throughout his 33 years with EMI, he has been an important driver in the Latin music worldwide, first in Spain and later in other parts of the globe at a time when the influence and demand for Latin music truly expanded. He has helped nurture the careers of many of EMI's artists. I thank him for his tremendous work over the years and wish him well for the future."

Gil joined EMI in 1970 as Label Manager for EMI-Odeon S.A. Spain, where he held a variety of posts, including A&R Promotion Manager, General Manager Capitol Division and Operations Manager. In January 1983 he became Director, A&R & Marketing for Latin America, EMI Music and became Managing Director of EMI Odeon Spain in May 1985. From January 1990 to October 1996 he was President, Iberia with EMI Odeon S.A. in Spain.

In October 1996, Gil relocated to the U.S. on behalf of Capitol to become the President and Regional Manager for EMI, Latin America. Since April 2001 he has been the President/CEO of EMI Recorded Music, Latin, where he has been involved with such artists as the Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos, Luz Casal, El Ultimo de la Fila, Heroes del Silencio, Gabinete Caligari, La Decada Prodigiosa, Dyango, Rocio Jurado, Thalia, Carlos Vives and many others.