Background

Thomas, Robert Wilburn was born on November 20, 1937 in Athens, Georgia, United States. Son of Ernest Wilburn and Bobbie (Morton) Thomas.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Speech, Northwestern University, 1960; Master of Arts, Northwestern University, 1961.

Career

Producer radio, television broadcasts Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 1961-1968, instructor, 1967-1968. Executive producer Station WCNY-television, Syracuse, New York, 1968-1970. General manager, vice president Station WEKT-FM, Hammondsport, 1970-1971.

General manager Station KWMU-FM, St. Louis, 1971-1976. Director broadcasting Station KWIT, Sioux City, Iowa, 1976-1979. Station expansion manager Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Washington, 1979-1982.

Executive director Cable Communications Prince Georges County (Maryland), 1982-1983. Cable administrator City of Raleigh (North Carolina), 1983-1986. President B&B Media, Inc.

(advertising and public relations agency), 1986-1999. Co-owner, general manager Station WBLB, Pulaski, Virginia, 1986-1989. Co-innkeeper Claytor Lake Homestead Inn, Draper, 1990-1991.

News, public affair director Station WRAD-WRIQ, Radford, 1993-1994. Radford bureau chief daily newspaper The Southwest Times, since 1999. Member Emmy awards committee Chicago chapter National Academy television Arts and Sciences, 1962-1965.

Member radio advisory committee Illinois Telecommunications Commission, 1968. Chairman radio division Midwest Telecommunications Conference, National Association Educational Broadcasters, 1972. Member Virginia News Network advisory board, 1987-1989.

Co-founder, board directors Pulaski County HOSTS, president 1991. Board directors New River Valley HOSTS, president, 1992-1993. Adjunct professor advertising and media studies, Radford University, 1997-1999.

Membership

Member pack committee Cub Scouts American, Florissant, Missouri, 1971-1972. Chairman Missouri Junior Miss Pagent, 1971-1972, co-chairman, 1972-1973, executive director, 1973-1976. Past board directors Sioux City Youth Orchestra Association, Siouxland Arts Council, Sioux City Chamber Music Association.

Founding member Public Radio in Middle American, program chairman, 1976-1977. Board directors Pulaski County United Way, 1987-1992, public relations chairman, 1987-1989. Board directors Salvation Army, 1987-1990, public relations chairman, 1987, vice president, 1988.

Board directors Count Pulaskifest, 1987-1990. Producer, director Mississippi Virginia Senior Citizen Pageant, since 1993. Board directors Pulaski County Emergency Needs Task Force, 1989-1992, Radford Heritage Foundation, public relations chairman, 1993-1998, secretary, 1997.

Member Environmental Commission City of Radford, 1995-1999, chair, 1995-1998. Member steering committee Glencoe Museum, 1998. Member Radford-Christiansburg Cable television Advisory Committee, since 1998.

Member Missouri Public Radio Association (president 1975-1976), National Association Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (board directors 1982-1986, secretary 1983-1985, vice president 1985-1986), Pulaski County Chamber of Chamber (board directors 1987-1989), Pulaski Merchants Association (chairman promotions committee 1986-1989, board directors 1987-1989, 4th of July committee 1987, 91, town history committee 1987-1989), Pulaski Main St. (chairman corporation relations committee 1988-1989), Rotary (vice president Radford 1993-1994, president-elect 1994-1995, president 1995-1996, vice president 1998-1999, president-elect 1999-1900, Paul Harris fellow 1990).

Connections

Married Betsey Ruth Thorne, September 6, 1958. Children: Richard Gregory, Coleen Suzanne.

father:

Ernest Wilburn Thomas

mother:

Bobbie (Morton) Thomas

spouse:

Betsey Ruth Thorne

child:

Coleen Suzanne Thomas

child:

Richard Gregory Thomas