US: Gordon Smith Will Transition From NAB Leadership

National Association of Broadcasters president and CEO Gordon H. Smith announced his plans to transition to an advisory and advocacy role at the end of the year. The organization’s chief operating officer Curtis LeGeyt will become the next president and CEO of NAB, effective Jan. 1, 2022.

“It has been my great honor to give the lion’s roar for broadcasters — those who run into the storm, those who stand firm in chaos to hear the voice of the people, those who hold to account the powerful — and to stand with those of the fourth estate who have the hearts of public servants,” Smith said in a video message to members.

Smith joined NAB as president and CEO in November 2009. Previously, he served as a two-term U.S. senator from Oregon, and later as senior advisor in the Washington offices of Covington & Burling, LLP.

NAB Joint Board of Directors Chairman Jordan Wertlieb, president of Hearst Television, said that Smith will continue to serve NAB in a special advisory role through Dec. 31, 2024. The role will include lobbying on behalf of the broadcasters.

LeGeyt has been with NAB for nearly a decade. The organization noted that he led several successful legislative advocacy efforts on behalf of broadcasters, including the permanent reauthorization of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act Reauthorization (STELAR), inclusion of $1 billion in RAY BAUM’s Act to reimburse stations impacted by the spectrum auction repack and passage of the Music Modernization Act.

Prior to becoming chief operating officer, LeGeyt served for five years as NAB’s executive vice president, Government Relations. Before joining the association, LeGeyt was senior counsel to then-Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (VT).

“I am honored and humbled to be named the next leader of this great organization,” said LeGeyt. “To represent the broadcast industry and the local stations that bind our communities together in a moment of such tremendous change across the media landscape is a privilege. Our stations’ role in communities across this country has never been more important, and I look forward to working every day to ensure their ability to grow and thrive.”