06/16/2016

Dan Mason Elected Chairperson of The Broadcasters Foundation Of America

Caroline Beasley, Perry Sook, and Jordan Wertlieb Also Join The Board of Directors, Phil Lombardo Becomes Chair Emeritus

New York, NY
June 15, 2016

The Broadcasters Foundation of America, the charity that provides aid to broadcasters in need, has elected Dan Mason Chairperson along with several new members to its Board of Directors. The elections took place during the Board of Directors’ meeting today in New York City. The new Board members are Caroline Beasley, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Beasley Broadcast Group, Perry Sook, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nexstar Broadcasting Group, and Jordan Wertlieb, President of Hearst Television. In addition, Bill Hoffman, President of Cox Media Group, will now serve as Co-Vice Chair with Richard A. Foreman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Richard A. Foreman Associates, and Leo MacCourtney, President of Katz Television Group, will take over as Treasurer of the Broadcasters Foundation.

Mason has served as Co-Vice-Chairperson since June of last year, following his retirement as President and Chief Executive Officer of CBS RADIO. He assumes the chairmanship role from Phil Lombardo, Chief Executive Officer of Citadel Communications, who is retiring from the position after 13 years and who is being recognized for his service with the title of Chair Emeritus. Also retiring from the Board are George Beasley and David Barrett.

“It is an honor to serve in this capacity,” said Mason. “The Broadcasters Foundation of America is the helping hand in our industry. I look forward to working with Jim Thompson and his outstanding team.”

Mason is a broadcasting executive and radio programmer known for initiating an aggressive growth strategy at CBS RADIO, including launching new formats and acquiring major market properties. He also is credited with leading the expansion of CBS RADIO’s digital presence with audio streaming platforms and mobile applications.

“Dan is a passionate broadcaster and media visionary who will help us extend our message of hope across today’s communication platforms to reach more colleagues,” said Jim Thompson, President of the Broadcasters Foundation. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to thank Phil for his many years of service at the helm of our charity. He has given tirelessly to our mission’s purpose and helped us raise an unprecedented amount of donations to aid broadcasters.”

“It has been my great honor to give back to this industry that has been so good to me and to so many,” noted Lombardo. “Foundation recipients were hard-working broadcasters, committed to their stations and communities, and now destitute, often alone, and in need of our support. It has been the most rewarding endeavor of my career to serve our colleagues in need.”

The Broadcasters Foundation of America has distributed millions of dollars in aid to broadcasters who lost their livelihood through a catastrophic event, debilitating disease, or unforeseen family tragedy. Individual donations can be made to the Guardian Fund or by joining the Foundation as a Member. Corporate contributions are accepted through the Angel Initiative, and bequests can be made to the Legacy Society. For more information on how to give help or get help, please visit www.broadcastersfoundation.org, call 212-373-8250, or email info@thebfoa.org.

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About the Broadcasters Foundation of America

The mission of the Broadcasters Foundation of America is to improve the quality of life and maintain the personal dignity of men and women in the radio and television broadcast profession who find themselves in acute need. The Foundation reaches out across the country to identify and provide an anonymous safety net in cases of critical illness, advanced age, death of a spouse, accident, and other serious misfortune. The Broadcasters Foundation of America is a 501(c)3 Public Charity.

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Renee Cassis
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