Ed Christian, founder, chairman, President, and CEO of Saga Communications died Friday after a brief illness.
Christian founded the company in 1986 and oversaw its growth to holding 79 FM stations and 35 AM stations in 27 markets.
“The broadcast industry has lost a pioneer and giant,” the company said in a prepared statement. “Saga expresses its heartfelt condolences to the Christian family and Ed’s friends and colleagues. Ed will be missed but not forgotten. He is and was a true radio broadcaster that never lost sight of his ‘true north’ in an industry he loved.”
Warren Lada, former COO and a member of the company’s board of directors, has been named the interim CEO.
“The Board is confident that Warren’s vast experience in the broadcast industry as a sales representative, sales manager, general manager, vice president of operations and ultimately as COO of the company will fill the void that Ed leaves as the company prepares for the next chapter in Saga’s ongoing adventure,” the company added.
