Ray Cole

Ray Cole is a television broadcasting executive whose career spans five decades in the broadcast industry. Cole began his career with an internship at KCAU-TV, the ABC affiliate in Sioux City, and later became the station's general manager following its acquisition by Citadel Communications. He held various management roles with Citadel Communications LLC, ultimately serving as president and chief operating officer, overseeing stations including WOI-TV (ABC) in Des Moines, KCAU-TV (ABC) in Sioux City, WHBF-TV (CBS) in Rock Island, KLKN-TV (ABC) in Lincoln, and WLNE-TV (ABC) in Providence.

Cole has held leadership positions in broadcasting, serving on the boards of the National Association of Broadcasters, the Television Bureau of Advertising, and the ABC Television Affiliates Association. He also served as chairman of the ABC board of governors and continued as chairman emeritus. Cole is the only Iowan to have served on the boards of a major network affiliate association, the National Association of Broadcasters, and the Television Bureau of Advertising. He also served on the board of the Iowa Broadcasters Association and was recognized as Iowa Broadcaster of the Year and inducted into the Iowa Broadcasters Hall of Fame. The Broadcasters Foundation of America honored him with its Leadership Award for service to the broadcasting industry and community.

Cole's contributions to television broadcasting have been recognized with induction into the Broadcasting+Cable Hall of Fame and the Iowa Business Hall of Fame. Johnny Carson is the only other Iowa-born broadcaster to appear on the Broadcasting+Cable Hall of Fame honor roll.

Cole is the author of "Hangin' with Winners: A Lifetime of Connections, Anecdotes and Lessons Learned," which features insights into success and profiles of industry leaders such as Bob Iger, George Bodenheimer, Diane Sawyer, Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, Ted Koppel, Dick Vitale, and Jimmy Kimmel. The book has been featured on Good Morning America, The View, the Tamron Hall Show, ESPN, and the Jimmy Kimmel Book Club. All net proceeds from the book support charitable organizations.

Following his retirement from Citadel, Cole remains active on the boards of several companies and nonprofit organizations. He has delivered keynote addresses at business meetings, industry conferences, educational institutions, Chamber of Commerce events, and community gatherings. Cole's presentations focus on character, integrity, leadership, teamwork, and gratitude, drawing on personal experiences from the fields of television, sports, entertainment, and politics.