Former Lincoln Financial Media President/CEO Don Benson is this year’s recipient of the National Radio Award.
Benson began his career at WMAK, Nashville, before joining Jefferson-Pilot in 1974 at WQXI AM-FM, Atlanta. He was also VP Operations for KIIS-FM Los Angeles and Corporate VP for programming for Western Cities Broadcasting and EVP Operations for consultants Burkhart/Douglas before re-joining Jefferson Pilot in 1994.
As president and chief executive officer of Lincoln Financial Media Company from 2008-2015, Benson oversaw all aspects relating to LFMC’s 15 radio stations in Atlanta, Miami, San Diego and Denver. Named chief executive officer of LFMC in May 2008, he was appointed president of the company’s radio division in January, 2005; in addition, he was also the company’s corporate senior vice-president of operations/programming for more than a decade.
Benson was chair of the NAB Radio Board for three consecutive terms and was on NAB’s Executive Committee for multiple terms. He was a multi-year member of the RAB board and did a stint as chair of the Arbitron Advisory Council.
He’s to receive the award during the radio luncheon on Sept. 21 at the NAB/RAB Radio Show in Nashville.
