Gordon Smith is coming home

By Terry Murry on Saturday, April 10th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

WASHINGTON, D.C. – National Association of Broadcasters President and Chief Executive Officer Gordon Smith is retiring and moving back to Pendleton, his birthplace. He will retire from full-time duties on Dec. 31. Before joining the NAB, Smith was a two-term U.S. senator from Oregon.

“It has been my great honor to give the lion’s roar for broadcasters – those who run into the storm, those who stand firm in chaos to hear the voice of the people, those who hold to account the powerful – and to stand with those of the fourth estate who have the hearts of public servants,” he said in a video message.

Smith will continue with the NAB in an advisory and advocacy role, which he said will require a few trips to the Washington, D.C. area each year. NAP Joint Board of Directors Chairman Jordan Wertlieb expressed pleasure that the Pendletonian will stay active.

“We look forward to continuing to work with Gordon and benefiting from his guidance for years to come,” Wertlieb said.

Curtis LeGeyt, currently the NAB’s chief operations officer, will take over Smith’s post.

Smith said he’s pleased to return to his roots.

“Many of you know that I am also a pea-picker from Oregon who also owns a large food processing there in addition to being a lay minister in my church,” he said. “I’m also, and most importantly, a husband, a father, and a grandfather now. Many of these things I have put on hold for the last quarter century to give public service and to be among broadcasters. I look forward to time with them, doing things that grandfathers ought to do, attending baseball games, recitals, and more.”

Smith will serve in his advisory capacity for three years.