Ralph M. Oakley is the former president and chief executive officer of Quincy Media, Inc., a family-owned business that operated television stations in 16 markets, two daily newspapers and two radio stations. He served as president and CEO beginning in 2009 and is a fifth-generation family member who worked in the company.
In 2021, the company sold its television stations to Gray Media Group and its newspapers to Phillips Media.
Currently, he is the owner of Sullivan’s Landing, LLC, which owns WJMN-TV in Marquette, Mich., serving the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He is a former chair and current member of the board of trustees of Quincy University in Illinois and is also a full-time volunteer in the advancement department, raising funds for the university.
Oakley is a past member of the National Association of Broadcasters board of directors and previously served on its executive committee. He also served on the Television Bureau of Advertising board of directors and the ABC Affiliate board of governors. He is a former chairman of the NBC Affiliates Association and the Illinois Broadcasters Association (IBA) and was previously honored as the IBA’s Broadcaster of the Year.
In addition to his work at Quincy University, Oakley was the founding chairman of the Community Foundation, serving West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri. He also served as chair of the United Way of Adams County annual campaign and has worked with several other social service and nonprofit organizations.
Oakley holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Quincy University. He has two adult children and five grandchildren.
The Chuck Sherman Television Leadership Award, created in 2003, is named in honor of the late Dr. Charles E. Sherman to recognize an individual demonstrating leadership, service and commitment to local television in medium and smaller markets.
