NAB Appointed New Radio Board and Committee Leaders
Broadcasting executives will influence industry standards and policy through new leadership roles.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in People
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The National Association of Broadcasters announced new appointments to its Radio Board and executive committee following the departure of Allen Power. Industry veterans now fill key representation districts and leadership seats to guide the association's policy agenda.
Why it matters
These board appointments determine the industry priorities for the National Association of Broadcasters as it negotiates regulatory and legislative hurdles. Operators should monitor board shifts to understand which station groups hold influence over national broadcasting policy.
The changes include new leadership for the Southern Texas and New England districts, representing groups that command influence over hundreds of radio stations. The scale of these appointments reflects the consolidated nature of regional broadcasting representation.
The players
Erik Hellum
Chief Operating Officer of Townsquare Media, an operator of 336 radio stations across 74 markets, and former board chair of the Radio Advertising Bureau.
Dave Santrella
CEO of Salem Media, a nationally recognized radio and digital media company, who previously served as chair of the NAB Board of Directors.
National Association of Broadcasters
The primary industry trade association representing radio and television stations in the United States, managing regulatory advocacy and standards.
The details
The National Association of Broadcasters board manages the organization's strategic direction and advocacy efforts. Erik Hellum, currently serving as COO of Townsquare Media, moves into the first vice chair role on the executive committee, while Salem Media CEO Dave Santrella joins the Radio Board to represent the New England district. These appointments fill the vacancies created by the exit of Allen Power, centralizing operational expertise from two major radio holding groups.
Timeline
October 6, 2026: The National Association of Broadcasters announced new board and committee members.
2021-2023: Dave Santrella served as chair of the NAB Board of Directors.
Market Landscape
The National Association of Broadcasters board appointments occur as the industry navigates long-standing regulations established under the Communications Act of 1934. These leadership shifts reflect a pattern of selecting executives from large, multi-market groups to steer the trade organization's legislative strategy.
Station owners should review the updated committee rosters to identify potential shifts in association policy advocacy. Monitoring these leadership changes helps operators anticipate upcoming regulatory lobbying efforts that could impact station license renewals and operational compliance requirements.
The takeaway
Board appointments at national trade groups signal the strategic priorities that will define industry-wide lobbying efforts for the coming year. Operators should track these committee assignments to understand which regulatory or market issues are becoming the group's primary focus.
Further reading
For more on industry leadership and personnel shifts, see the People section.
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