Remembering Bruce Reese

• UPDATED: Bruce Reese, former President of Bonneville International and President/CEO of Hubbard Radio, has passed away. The news was delivered to the Bonneville staff in a letter from Darrell K. Brown, President of Bonneville International, who called Reese “a fine president and outstanding community leader.” Brown added, “Under his leadership Bonneville stations won more than 40 Crystal and Marconi awards from the NAB, through a philosophy of strong local talent and service to community.”

Reese began his career as an attorney in Washington, D.C. and also worked in the anti-trust division of the Department of Justice. He joined Bonneville as General Counsel in 1984 and was later elevated to President, serving from 1996 to 2010. Reese was a key figure during Bonneville’s 2011 sale of 17 radio stations in Washington, DC, Chicago, St. Louis and Cincinnati to Hubbard Radio; an acquisition that added 547 Bonneville employees to the Hubbard fold. Reese later served as President/CEO of Hubbard Radio until July 2014, when he transitioned into a new role as Special Advisor.

Brown added, “We are grateful for Bruce’s service to Bonneville and his commitment to community. He is survived by his wife Lu Ann, their seven children, four daughters-in-law, two sons-in law, and twelve grandchildren. Funeral arrangements have not been announced yet but we will keep you informed.”

In a statement, NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith said of Reese, “NAB and the entire broadcast industry is saddened to hear of the passing of our friend and former Bonneville President Bruce Reese. Bruce’s accomplishments in broadcasting — former NAB Joint Board Chair, former National Radio Award Winner and chair of the NAB Education Foundation — were surpassed only by his commitment to charity and community service. Broadcasting is a better business and the world was a better place because of my friend Bruce Reese.”