R.I.P.: Former RAB President/CEO Gary Fries

Gary Fries

Former Radio Advertising Board President and CEO Gary Fries has died.

“It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of our friend and colleague,” current RAB President and CEO Erica Farber said in a statement.

According to RadioWorld, Fries led the RAB for 14 years, and until his death, he retained the title of president emeritus and held a seat on the RAB board of directors, Farber said.

During his tenure, “the RAB increased its membership and introduced and advanced numerous sales training programs. He spearheaded radio to the forefront in media accountability, playing a dominant role in the development of RAEL working with advertisers, agencies and broadcasters to further the industry's understanding of how radio advertising works. He also encouraged radio to embrace electronic data interchange, urging the industry to adopt electronic invoicing,” Farber said.

She added, “On a personal note, Gary and I partnered together on many initiatives and I always found a welcoming partner and friend. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this time.”

Fries was appointed president and CEO of the RAB in 1991and held numerous positions in the radio industry including president of Unistar Radio Networks and Transtar Radio Networks; president and COO of Sunbelt Communications’ Radio Division; and VP at both ITC Communications and Multimedia Broadcasting, Inc.

TVNewsCheck reports he began his career in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he worked as a part-time salesperson at Stuart Broadcasting’s KFOR Radio while in college. By the time he was 24, he landed his first management position at KRGI, Grand Island, Nebraska.

Fries was named one of Radio Ink Magazine’s Top 40 Most Powerful People in Radio numerous times, and was recognized as Radio Executive of the Year in 1993.  In 1994, he was roasted by the Bayliss Broadcast Foundation and inducted into the Nebraska Broadcasters Association Hall Of Fame. The Illinois Broadcasters Association also bestowed that same honor on him in 1999. In 2000, he was the recipient of the Arkansas Broadcasters Pinnacle Award. In April 2006 he was recognized with the Broadcast Pioneer Award from the Broadcasters’ Foundation.