Robert Leak Rierson

Background

Rierson, Robert Leak was born on September 5, 1927 in Walnut Cove, North Carolina, United States. Son of Sanders C. and Anna (Cox) Rierson.

Education

Student, Duke U., 1945-1946; student, Davidson College, 1946-1947; Bachelor of Science in Speech cum laude, Northwestern University, 1948.

Career

Program director, program operations manager, WBT Radio and WBTV, Charlotte, North Carolina, 1948-1966; program manager, WJBK-television, Detroit, 1966-1969; program manager, WTOP-television, Washington, 1969-1971; director broadcasting, WCBS-television, New York City, 1971-1973; president, Rierson Broadcast Consultants, New York City, 1973-1975; program executive, Grey Advertising, New York City, 1975-1977; vice-president, director programming, Dancer-Fitzgerald-Sample, New York City, 1977-1980; executive producer, Corinthian Prodns., New York City, 1980-1982; director news programming, Cable News Network television, Atlanta, 1982-1996; retired, 1996.

Achievements

• Robert Leak Rierson has been listed as a notable broadcasting executive, television writer by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Board of directors Michigan Council Churches, Detroit, 1968-1969, American Red Cross, Charlotte, 1960-1962. 1st vice president Charlotte Oratorio Singers, 1960-1966. Lieutenant United States Naval Reserve, 1952-1954.

Member National Association Radio-television Program Executives (charter member, board directors since 1964), Radio-television News Dirs. Association, Order of Long Leaf Pine (honorary North Carolina award).

Interests

• Avocations: reading, travel, movies.

Connections

Married Barbara Eugenia McLeod, September 23, 1950 (deceased February 1988). Children: Barbara Elaine, Richard Troy. Married Rosemary L. McCampbell, April 20, 1997.

Father:

Sanders C. Rierson

Mother:

Anna (Cox) Rierson

Spouse:

Rosemary L. McCampbell

Spouse:

Barbara Eugenia McLeod

child:

Barbara Elaine Rierson

child:

Richard Troy Rierson