At the conclusion of its annual conference, the Florida Association of Broadcasters announced several leadership changes and inducted Beasley Media Group CEO Caroline Beasley into the Florida Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
John Soapes, who is the general manager of Hearst’s Orlando and Tampa TV operations, has moved up to serve as FAB’s chairman. He succeeds Lara Kunkler, who the association said led a transformative period in its history. She’ll transition to FAB’s immediate past chair and will continue serving on the its executive committee.
Jason Meder, the VP and market manager of Cox Media Group in Tampa, will serve as chairman-elect. The moves come as part of FAB’s regular leadership rotation.
“Florida is one of the fastest growing and most dynamic states in the nation, and local broadcasters play an essential role in helping residents navigate that growth as trusted voices, first informers and community partners,” Soapes said in a release.
Carolyn Cassidy, VP and regional GM of Salem Media, has been named to the executive committee. Cassidy oversees Salem’s operations in Columbus, Ohio, Tampa, Orlando and Miami.
The FAB also welcomed new members to its board of directors, including JC Campese and Roger Holler to the radio board.
Campese is VP and market manager for Cox Media Group in Orlando, where he oversees the company’s radio operations.
Holler is the founder and owner of MARC Media Group, which includes radio brands in the Gainesville-Ocala market and stations in the Space Coast region between Titusville and Melbourne.
The association also recognized Adib Eden, one of its longest-serving board members, who is concluding his tenure on the executive committee.
Caroline Beasley enters HOF
At its ceremony during FAB’s annual conference in Palm Beach on June 18, the association announced that Caroline Beasley was inducted into the 2026 Florida Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
With her induction, the Beasley Media CEO follows in the footsteps of her father, the late George G. Beasley, founder of Beasley Media Group, who was inducted in 2024.
Beasley was inducted alongside fellow television Hall of Fame honoree Jeannie Blaylock of WTLV(TV) and WJXX(TV).
