Westwood One President Collin Jones has been elected Chairman of the NAB Joint Board of Directors, following his term as Chair of the NAB Radio Board. The announcement came as part of the National Association of Broadcasters’ 2025 executive committee elections. In his new role, Jones will represent both radio and television broadcasters on advocacy and policy matters.
Jones, who also serves as Executive Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Development for Cumulus Media, succeeds Perry Sook, Chairman and CEO of Nexstar Media Group. Sook will remain on the executive committee as immediate past chair, providing continuity as the board addresses key industry challenges in the year ahead.
Stepping into Jones’ previous position as Chair of the NAB Radio Board is Chris Ornelas, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Beasley Media Group. Ornelas brings legal and regulatory experience to the role, having previously served as NAB’s Chief Operating Officer and as Chief Counsel to former FCC Chairman Mignon Clyburn.
Other officers elected include Leonard Wheeler, President of Mel Wheeler Inc., as first vice chair of the Joint Board; Allen Power, President of Broadcast Media for Salem Media Group, as second vice chair; and Eddie Harrell, Co-President of the Urban One Audio Division, as major group representative on the NAB Radio Board.
The board also welcomes three new members. Commonwealth Broadcasting Vice President and COO Dale Thornhill will represent District 5, covering West Virginia and Kentucky. Audacy has two newly elected representatives: Chief Legal Officer Michael Dash will represent District 3 (Pennsylvania), and President and CEO Kelli Turner has been appointed to represent District 16 (Colorado and Nebraska), succeeding former Audacy General Counsel Andrew Sutor.
All other board members up for reelection in 2025 were confirmed for new terms, maintaining leadership stability across districts.
The newly structured board is set to guide the NAB’s advocacy on major policy issues, including spectrum allocation, AM radio accessibility in vehicles, and evolving advertising regulations. With a diverse group of leaders representing companies large and small, the board will help shape the broadcasting industry’s direction in a critical period for both traditional and digital media.