BFOA Honors Trio For Their Work Helping Broadcasters In Need.

The Broadcasters Foundation of America (BFOA) honored a trio of broadcasters Monday night in New York, celebrating their effort to help the organization’s mission of lending a helping hand to people in radio and television. “The need has never been greater than we have in front of us today,” said former CBS Radio President Dan Mason, as he picked the 2025 Edward F. McLaughlin Lifetime Achievement Award.

BFOA has awarded $15 million to broadcasters in need during the past decade, and in the past year it gave more than $120,000 in grants to dozens of broadcasters impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires and a pair of hurricanes that upended lives in the Southeastern U.S. according to Scott Herman, the former CBS Radio executive who now chairs the BFOA.

The Foundation also recognized Katz Media Group with the 2025 Philip J. Lombardo Spirit Award, which recognized Katz’s dedication to supporting BFOA and its mission. “Katz has become a flame in the dark, helping to lead the way in this industry,” said Ray Cole, former President and COO of Citadel Communications who worked with the late Katz CEO Stu Olds. Following his death in 2010, Katz created a fund that each year has asked its employees to support BFOA. Since its inception, the Stu Olds Memorial Fund has raised roughly $500,000—including more than $47,000 in its latest effort.

Katz CEO Mark Gray accepted the award on the company’s behalf. He said the fund in Old’s memory has been a “guiding light that Katz wrapped itself around” during the past 15 years. Gray also credited the corporate culture at the radio and television rep firm for its efforts to help broadcasters in need. He pointed out the money has been raised from everyone from assistants to executives.

BFOA also presented this year’s Golden Mic Award to Brian Lawlor, President of Scripps Sports. The Foundation also announced that Mason would become Chairman Emeritus of the organization. Mason previously served as both Chair and Vice Chair of BFOA in the past, as well as several terms on its board of directors.

The black-tie event and fundraiser at the Plaza Hotel in New York brought together broadcasters at what event emcee Deborah Norville, the 30-year anchor of “Inside Edition” and a long time BFOA Board member, said are “unprecedented challenges” facing the industry from a string of natural disasters. She said the award recipients are leading by example as broadcasters face a challenging future.

“What looks like a really dark landscape ahead is actually an opportunity for all of us in broadcasting to paint a new future in which broadcasters and broadcasting is center stage,” said Norville. She also acknowledged there remains good reason for advertisers to support radio and TV—noting both cannot survive with ad dollars. “Broadcast is the place to reach the biggest number of people at the same time,” Norville said.

For more than 70 years, Broadcasters Foundation of America has helped radio and television broadcast professionals who face a long recovery following medical treatments, a critical accident, or a natural disaster. During the event, former New York morning personality Dr. Dre also publicized the help he has received from BFOA after diabetes led to his blindness and the amputation of one of his legs. Dre and Ed Lover teamed up to host a morning show on “Hot 97” WQHT New York during the 1990s.

Learn how to donate and help BFOA on its mission HERE.