Jim Thompson, President of the Broadcasters Foundation of America since 2009, will retire at the end of 2022.
A succession plan is in place, which sees Thompson and broadcast veteran Tim McCarthy serve as Co-Presidents through 2022, at which time Thompson will move into an active consultancy role.
The changes are effective November 1.
Thompson is well-known across the broadcast industry. During his 40+ year career, he was President of Westinghouse Broadcasting’s Radio Division, President and Co-Owner of Liberty Radio Group, and served as General Manager of KYW-3 in Philadelphia.
The BFA says its Search Committee unanimously chose McCarthy as the best candidate for the position, and that its Board of Directors unanimously endorsed him and the succession plan.
Scott Herman, Chairman of the Broadcasters Foundation, commented, “I have known Tim for almost 20 years. He is an outstanding leader and I look forward to working with him and Jim for a seamless transition. Jim has done a phenomenal job getting the word out about our mission and increasing the number of broadcasters we help. The entire Board and I are delighted that he will remain with the Foundation as Co-President and then as a Consultant.”
“Serving the mission of the Broadcasters Foundation has been the most rewarding experience of my career,” said Thompson. “I cannot think of a more worthy task then helping our colleagues in their darkest moments. The search committee and the Board have made an excellent choice in Tim — I know I will be leaving our mission in good hands.”
Chairman Emeritus Phil Lombardo added, “I worked with the search committee 12 years ago to bring Jim onboard, and I am pleased to again have worked with the current search committee to identify Tim as the best person to take on our mission of helping broadcasters in acute need.”
Commenting on his new role, McCarthy said, “I look forward to working with Jim and the entire Board to continue the important work of the Broadcasters Foundation. I have been in broadcasting throughout my career, and it is an honor to be in a position to give back by providing aid to those in our industry who need it most.”
McCarthy is widely known for his lengthy tenure at The Walt Disney Co.’s ESPN Audio, and before that with ABC Radio under Disney ownership. He served as SVP/GM of Audio Play-By-Play and General Manager of New York and Los Angeles, overseeing ESPN Radio stations in each market. He joined ESPN in 1998 as President/GM of WABC-AM in New York and for ESPN Radio and Radio Disney. McCarthy began his career in radio at WABC Radio in 1990, in an era when its Talk format was surging in popularity, fueled by local hosts including Bob Grant and the syndicated Rush Limbaugh.
The Broadcasters Foundation has distributed millions of dollars in aid to broadcasters who have lost their livelihood through a catastrophic event, debilitating disease, or unforeseen tragedy. Personal donations can be made to the Foundation’s Guardian Fund, corporate contributions are accepted through the Angel Initiative, and bequests can be made through the Foundation’s Legacy Society. For more information, please visit www.broadcastersfoundation.org, call 212-373-8250, or email info@thebfoa.or
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