Dennis Wharton Retiring From NAB
Wharton joined NAB in 1996 as VP of Media Relations and subsequently was promoted to SVP in 1997 and EVP in 2006. He has overseen NAB departments that include Media Relations, Research and Public Service. Wharton joined NAB after a 16-year journalism career in Ohio and as Washington bureau chief for Variety, where he covered legislative and regulatory issues related to broadcasting, cable and Hollywood movie studios.
In an email to the NAB Board of Directors Monday night, Wharton called his retirement a “bittersweet moment” and described his tenure at NAB as “the privilege of my professional life.” Wharton wrote that he has been “in the catbird seat for countless moments in broadcast history” over 24 years, including the launch of HDTV, radio performance royalty fights, “wardrobe malfunctions,” and media consolidation battles. He said he is most proud of the unparalleled public service of local broadcast stations, which has been on prominent display during the COVID-19 crisis. Wharton praised the NAB Board, his co-workers, local broadcasters, state broadcast association executives and reporters who covered NAB through the years. He reserved special gratitude for colleagues on the NAB Communications team, which he has overseen for more than two decades.
NAB Creates New Public Affairs Dept.
Lehman has tapped Ann Marie Cumming, SVP of Communications (right), to serve as the primary spokesperson of the organization, assisted by Zamir Ahmed, VP of Media Relations, who has been with NAB since 2011. Cumming, who first joined NAB in 1994, will oversee media relations and the Research division led by VP of Research Dan McDonald.
Jen Jose, who has been with NAB since 2007, will serve as SVP of Public Affairs, overseeing all messaging, digital and public service activities of the organization, assisted by NAB’s VP of Digital, Gagan Nirula, who oversees the digital and social media strategy for the association. Jose also serves as chief speechwriter for President & CEO Gordon Smith. Shermaze Ingram, SVP of Marketing and Creative Services, will continue to oversee association marketing and event campaigns, as well as the creative services team.
“We have assembled a talented team of professionals to carry our NAB mission and message to the public, whether that is our membership, press or policymakers,” said Smith. “We see public affairs as critical to advancing our advocacy agenda and positioning the association and our events for success.”