WASHINGTON, DC - David Rehr, recently selected as the incoming president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters, told the NAB Board of Directors today that he intends to aggressively promote over-the-air broadcasting's interests on both Capitol Hill and at the FCC.
Rehr, 46, the president and CEO of the National Beer Wholesalers Association since 1999, officially begins his tenure at NAB on December 5. He will replace longtime NAB president and CEO Eddie Fritts, who will remain as an NAB consultant through April 2008.
He told the NAB Board meeting here that he will passionately advocate the interests of broadcasting. "What I do know is lobbying," said Rehr. "I know how to make a message simple to communicate with a busy policymaker; I know how to form lasting relationships with members of Congress and ask for support when I need it. As beer wholesalers can tell you, I don't take no for an answer when it comes to advocating on behalf of my association on Capitol Hill."
Rehr said "Some of you may be thinking -- what does this beer guy know about radio and television," said Rehr. "Well, in all honesty, more than I knew about beer when I went to the National Beer Wholesalers Association. And if you ask beer wholesalers, they will tell you that I was a very passionate advocate for their interests."
Rehr pledged that under his tenure, NAB will "increase the value proposition for the association's members." He also told the Board that he intends to seek guidance from all sectors of the broadcast industry and plans to travel extensively around the country to meet individually with local station operators and state broadcast association executives during his tenure.
Rehr also praised Fritts, who he called a "great leader" for NAB. "I will work hard to build on Eddie's legacy," he said.
The National Association of Broadcasters is a full-service trade association that promotes and protects free, over-the-air broadcasting interests in Washington and around the world. NAB is the broadcaster's voice before Congress, federal agencies and the courts. NAB also serves a growing number of associate and international broadcaster members. Information about NAB can be found at www.nab.org.
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