Ray Cole was a lifelong television broadcaster who held a variety of management positions with Citadel Communications LLC, serving as its president and chief operating officer from 1992 until his retirement in 2023. Cole had been 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; WLNE-TV (ABC) in Providence, RI; and WSNN-TV (Independent News) in Sarasota, FL.

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

• National Advisory Council, Robert D. and Billie Ray Center (2024-Present)
• Board Member, Broadcasters Foundation of America (2015-Present)
• Member, The V Foundation Marketing Committee (2022-Present)
• Member & Past President, The Breakfast Club, Ltd. (1995-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

• Broadcasting+Cable Hall of Fame, Class of 2023
• Iowa Business Hall of Fame, Class of 2024
• 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 Children’s Hospital Festival of Trees & Lights (2019)
• Leadership Award, Broadcasters Foundation of America (2016)
• Iowa Broadcasters Hall of Fame, Class of 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 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)