Ray Cole is a lifelong television broadcaster who has held a variety of management positions with Citadel Communications LLC since 1985, and has served as its president and chief operating officer since 1992. Citadel continues to own and operate WSNN-LD (Independent News) in Sarasota, FL. Prior to their sale, Cole was responsible for the oversight of WOI-TV (ABC) in Des Moines, IA; KCAU-TV (ABC) in Sioux City, IA; WHBF-TV (CBS) in Rock Island, IL; KLKN-TV(ABC) in Lincoln, NE and WLNE-TV (ABC) in Providence, RI. Cole currently serves on the boards of Security National Bank (Sioux City, IA), Central Scott Telephone Company (Eldridge, IA) and CIBL, Inc. (Reno, NV).

Community & Industry Involvement

• Board Member, Broadcasters Foundation of America (2015-Present)
• Board Member, Security National Bank-Sioux City (1993-Present)
• Member & Past President, The Breakfast Club, Ltd. (1995-Present)
• Member, The V Foundation Marketing Committee (2022-Present)
• Board of Governors& Past Chairman, ABC-TV Network (2004-2019)
• Member, The Solheim Cup Tournament Steering Committee (2017)
• Board Member, National Association of Broadcasters (2008-2015)
• Board Member, Television Bureau of Advertising (2011-2014)
• Executive Board, Principal Charity Classic (2008-2014)
• Executive Board, Iowa Hall of Pride (2009-2014)
• Board of Trustees, Briar Cliff University (2003-2006)
• Board Chairman, Siouxland Chamber of Commerce (1992-1993)
• Member & Past President, Sertoma (“SERvice TO MAnkind”) (Past)
• Board Member, Siouxland Ronald McDonald House (Past)
• Board Member, Iowa Broadcasters Association (Past)
• Client Advisory Board, Nielsen Media Research Company (Past)
• Board Member, Partnership for a Drug-Free Iowa (Past)
• Board Member, United Way of Siouxland (Past)

Honors

• Chair, All-Star Evening for CHARACTER COUNTS! (2022 and 2014)
• Emcee, Iowa Coaches vs. Cancer Gala (2022, 2021 and 2020)
• Distinguished Leadership Award, Briar Cliff University (2021)
• Robert D. Ray Pillar of Character Award, The Ray Center (2019)
• Chair, Blank Childrens Hospital’s Festival of Trees & Lights (2019)
• Leadership Award, Broadcasters Foundation of America (2016)
• Hall of Fame Inductee, Iowa Broadcasters Association (2015)
• Father of the Year, American Diabetes Assn – Iowa Chapter (2013)
• Admiral, Easter Seals Camp Sunnyside Raft Regatta (2013)
• Honorary Chair, Variety-Children’s Charity of Iowa Telethon (2012)
• Broadcaster of the Year, Iowa Broadcasters Association (2008)
• Chair, Broadlawns Hospital’s Evening of Caring Fall Gala (2008)
• Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, Briar Cliff University (2006)
• Ad Person of the Year, Advertising Federation of Sioux City (1994)