Television Executive. In 1945, he began at the NBC television studios as a correspondent during the formative years of television news and entertainment, going on to set industry standards. He rose through the ranks to become executive vice president, chief executive officer and retired as chairman of the NBC Television Network in 1979. In his career, he oversaw the rise of one of America’s best known news anchor teams with David Brinkley and Chet Huntley, plus produced the televised “Great Debates” between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon in 1960 and oversaw NBC News’ coverage of several other presidential conventions. As network president, he gave comedian Johnny Carson a long-term contract to stay on the “Tonight Show” and helped make the American Football League a force by broadcasting the upstart of the league. He also pioneered the popular television newsmagazine format and spoke out numerous times before the United States Congress about the importance of preventing government control of broadcasting. His numerous awards and honors include a George Foster Peabody Award in 1974, International Radio and Television Society Gold Medal Award its highest honor, National Association of Broadcaster’s Distinguished Service Award and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ Distinguished Alumni Award. He died at age 90. (bio by: John “J-Cat” Griffith)