Saga Communications CEO and Founder Ed Christian Dead

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, August 22, 2022 | 12:48pm CT

Ed Christian

Saga Communications founder, Chairman, President and CEO Ed Christian died on Friday, August 19 after a short illness. Warren Lada, a member of Saga's board, has been appointed to serve as the interim CEO. Christian founded Saga Communications in 1986 and has fostered its growth to owning 79 FM radio stations, 35 AM radio stations and 80 translators in 27 markets. Under his leadership, Saga Communications became a publicly traded company in 1992 and continues to be traded under the ticker symbol "SGA" on the Nasdaq stock exchange.

In a release, the company said, "The broadcast industry has lost a pioneer and giant. 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.

"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 Chief Operating Officer of the Company will fill the void that Ed leaves as the Company prepares for the next chapter in 'Saga's ongoing adventure.'"

NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt said in a statement, "Ed Christian built Saga Communications into one of the preeminent radio groups in the country through keen business sense and a deep understanding of the power of local radio. He was a passionate defender of broadcasting whose leadership helped secure a bright future for the radio community. NAB extends our condolences to his family on their loss."