Saga Communications has expanded its Board of Directors from seven to eight members with the addition of an AI industry leader and former Senior Partner at Ernst & Young. The move continues Saga’s stated commitment to board refreshment, following the addition of Michael Scafidi at the company’s 2025 Annual Shareholder Meeting.
Gregg Sutherland, current Chair of the advisory board at G2M Insights, brings more than four decades of experience in global consulting, financial strategy, and corporate governance to the Michigan-based broadcaster.
At Ernst & Young, Sutherland served as the Strategy Consulting Practice Leader for both the Americas and global operations, advising Fortune 500 companies on restructuring, expansion, and competitive positioning. He has also served as an advisor to Nisum Technologies and on the board of Buckman Laboratories, which was sold to Pritzker Private Capital earlier this year.
In addition to joining Saga’s full Board, Sutherland has been appointed to the Audit Committee and Cybersecurity Subcommittee. His initial term will run through the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, at which time he is expected to stand for reelection.
Saga President and CEO Chris Forgy said, “We are delighted to welcome Gregg to Saga’s Board of Directors. Gregg brings a unique blend of boardroom, financial and operations acumen to our board. Saga’s recent additions to the board will greatly assist as we scale our digital and other vertical initiatives.”
Saga has indicated that while the Board will remain at eight members through 2025, its intent is to return the size of the Board to seven at the 2026 Annual Meeting.
COO Change in Control Agreement
In a parallel development, Saga also disclosed that Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Wayne Leland entered into a Change in Control Agreement with the company on September 30, 2025. The agreement is designed to provide severance protections should Saga undergo a change in ownership or corporate structure.
Under the agreement, Leland would be entitled to a lump sum payment equal to 1.5 times the average of his last three years of base salary and annual cash bonuses. If that payment qualifies as a “parachute payment” subject to excise tax, Saga has agreed to provide an additional gross-up payment to cover those tax liabilities.
The agreement also allows the company, or a successor entity, to require up to six months of continued employment following a change in control. During this period, Leland would continue to receive his existing salary and benefits, with the lump sum severance paid at the conclusion of that employment term.
Saga noted that no related-party transactions exceeding $120,000 have occurred involving Sutherland or Leland, in compliance with SEC disclosure rules.
