Former Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) President/CEO Gary Fries died Friday at age 76.
“It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of our friend and colleague, Gary Fries,” said RAB President/CEO Erica Farber in a statement. “During his tenure as radio’s leading advocate he provided tremendous leadership and guidance.”
Fries spent his more than 50 year career in radio. He oversaw the RAB from 1991 to 2006. During his career he also served as President/COO of Transtar Radio Network, President of Unistar Radio Networks, President/COO of the Radio Division at Sunbelt Communications and VP of ITC Communications and VP of Multimedia Broadcasting.
He left RAP with the title of president emeritus and continued to hold a seat on the RAB Board until his death.
In 2006, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Illinois Broadcasters Association.
