Ben Downs, VP/GM of Bryan Broadcasting Corporation, is the new co-chair representing radio at the NABPA, the political action committee of NAB. Downs takes over as chair from William McElveen, Regional President of Alpha Media.
“NABPAC plays an important role in supporting broadcast champions in Congress, and Ralph and Bill [the previous co-chairs] deserve enormous credit for their work in growing NABPAC’s voice on Capitol Hill,” said NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith. “America’s radio and TV broadcasters thank Ralph and Bill for their steady leadership of NABPAC, and we look forward to benefitting from Chris and Ben’s guidance.”
For more than 30 years, Downs has worked for Bryan Broadcasting, which operates radio stations and print publications in the Bryan/College Station market in Texas. Downs has spent his career in meeting the needs of the stations’ communities. His stations have won three NAB Crystal Awards for Public Service and two Marconi Awards for broadcast excellence.
In addition, the Texas Association of Broadcasters has presented his station with their highest award for public service for eight of the past 11 years.
Downs has served on the Texas Association of Broadcasters Board of Directors since 1999, including two terms as TAB Chairman. He was chosen as TAB’s 2010 Broadcaster of the Year and was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame in 2019. He was named by the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce as Citizen of the Year in 2018.
Also, Downs previously served on the NAB Radio Board of Directors and has been active in the AM radio revitalization effort, making presentations to industry groups and before the FCC.
