NAB Picks Rick Kaplan As New Legal Eagle

Jane Mago

Jane Mago, General Counsel and Executive Vice President of the NAB Legal Department, Wednesday informed the NAB Board of Directors of her intention to retire from the broadcast trade association following a 10-year career.

NAB President Gordon Smith announced that Rick Kaplan, NAB Executive Vice President of Strategic Planning, will succeed Mago as head of the NAB Legal Department.

Mago, who came to NAB in 2004 after a 26-year career at the Federal Communications Commission, told the NAB Board she is "calling it a decade" and that she intends to move fulltime from the Washington area and become a resident of Naples, Florida.

"It has been an honor and a privilege to work for and with the broadcast industry through many challenging times," said Mago. "The work that broadcasters do every day makes a real and positive difference in communities across America, and I'm proud to have been associated with this great profession."

Rick Kaplan

NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith called Mago "a remarkable advocate for NAB and one of the classiest people in our business. Jane's integrity is unquestioned, and her bridge-building style has been a huge asset for broadcasters in Washington. I speak for the entire NAB staff, the communications bar association and the NAB Board in saying that Jane Mago has served all broadcasters with distinction."

Smith said that "NAB is fortunate to have someone with Rick Kaplan's intellect and Washington savvy waiting in the wings to replace Jane," said Smith. "As head of the NAB Spectrum Team, Rick has demonstrated a commitment and work ethic that will help NAB Legal continue to succeed."