PHILIP LOMBARDO

LOMBARDO--Philip J. Philip J. Lombardo passed away peacefully on January 5, 2024, following a brief illness. Phil was born in Chicago, Illinois in June of 1935, to Joseph and Josephine Lombardo. Phil graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in Radio/TV and Journalism. His first job was at WBBM-TV in Chicago, where he worked as a production assistant, a stage manager, director and producer. His career hit a speed bump in 1962 due to a military commitment. Along the way, Phil met the love of his life, Marilyn "Kim" and were married in Chicago on June 22, 1963. Phil and Kim started their family in late 1964. He moved the family to Cincinnati, Ohio to become program manager for WLWT. After two years, Phil was named Vice President and General Manager of WGHP in High Point, North Carolina. It was in this role that he earned a reputation for being a "turnaround" manager. That success led him to New York City to become president and chief executive officer of Corinthian Broadcasting, and its group of five stations. During his nine-year run, Phil acquired a sixth station and several cable systems, put shows into national syndication, and bought the national sales rep firm, PGW. After his departure from Corinthian, Phil immediately set out to build his own company and group of stations. He acquired WVNY in Burlington, Vermont, WUTV in Buffalo, New York; KCAU-TV in Sioux City, Iowa; WMGC-TV in Binghamton, New York; WHBF-TV in Rock Island, Illinois (Quad Cities); WOI-TV in Ames/Des Moines, Iowa; WLNE-TV in Providence, Rhode Island; the Sarasota News Network in Sarasota, Florida; and built new VHF station KLKN-TV in Lincoln, Nebraska from the ground up. The last of the nine stations that Phil bought over the course of 30+ years were sold in July of 2023. In his twilight years, his passion was directed more to serving the industry he loved. In 2003, Phil was elected to serve as joint board chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB). But Phil's lasting legacy will be the leadership he provided to the Broadcasters Foundation of America (BFoA). His impactful role as chairman from 2000 to 2015 was vital to the BFoA's ability to increase the amount of grants handed out annually to broadcasters in need. Phil was inducted into the Broadcasting + Cable Hall of Fame in October 2015. Phil is survived by his wife of 60 years, Kim; son Dean, his wife Nancy and their children; and son Jeffrey, his wife Karey and their children. Plans for a Celebration of Life are pending. The family asks that remembrances in Phil's name be made to the Philip J. Lombardo Memorial fund at the Broadcasters Foundation of America: broadcastersfoundation.org