NAB Leadership Foundation Names BLT Class of 2026

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, September 15, 2025 | 2:03pm CT

NAB Leadership Foundation

The NAB Leadership Foundation (NABLF) has announced the Broadcast Leadership Training (BLT) class of 2026. The 10-month, executive MBA-style program began on September 12 and prepares rising executives for C-suite and operational leadership roles with sessions on business acumen, management skills and topics including artificial intelligence, human resources and team culture.

"The foundation is incredibly honored to have more than 430 BLT graduates spanning over 25 years of this prestigious leadership program," said NABLF President Michelle Duke. "We are excited to begin a new chapter with deans Marc Jaromin of Roundtable Broadcasting and Trila Bumstead of OMG Media who will carry on the legacy of program founder and dean emeritus, Diane Sutter."

Broadcast Leadership Training Class of 2026:

• Andria Langston, founder, Legacy Media Productions; owner, WDKX Radio

• Allison Smith, president and general manager, KETV, Hearst

• Fletcher Brown, operations manager and program director, Big River Broadcasting Corp.

• Haley Townsend, regional director of digital content, Northeast, Fox TV Stations

• Jaimie Leon, vice president and general manager, WSLS, Graham Media Group

• Jennifer Dale, vice president of recruiting, Gray Media

• Jerome David Crumpton, general sales and marketing manager, Courtney French Broadcasting LLC

• Joey Figueroa, vice president and director of sales, Univision Orlando, TelevisaUnivision

• Katelin Tinley, vice president and market manager, CMG Long Island Radio, Cox Media Group

• Pamela McKay, vice president and market manager, Radio One Houston

• Ryan Hatch, senior vice president and market manager, Phoenix, Bonneville

• Samantha Linn, controller and chief accounting officer, Morgan Murphy Media

• Scott Trabandt, news director, CMG Pittsburgh TV, Cox Media Group

• Tiffany Hickman, vice president and general sales manager, Holston Valley Broadcasting Corp.

• Valerie Guyton, president and general manager, KWES; KIDY/KXVA; KYTX and KBMT/KJAC, TEGNA

• Whitney Grover, director of sales and station manager, KJRH Tulsa, The E.W. Scripps Co.

NABLF acknowledged support for the program from Alabama Broadcasters Association, Beasley Media Group, Bonneville International, Cox Media Group, Fox TV Stations, Futuri, Graham Media Group, Gray Media, Hearst Television, Morgan Murphy Media, Nielsen Foundation, Scripps, Tegna and TelevisaUnivision.

The application window for the next BLT class opens in February 2026. Prospective applicants can request updates by contacting Pamela Cervera, senior program manager, at pcervera@nab.org.