The president and chief executive officer of the company that owns KXLY is stepping down from day-to-day leadership of the company, yet keeping the family tradition going as it has since 1890.
Morgan Murphy Media announced Monday Elizabeth Murphy Burns is stepping down from her role after 43 years. She’ll be elevated to chair of the company’s board of directors.
Murphy Burns expanded the family-run company since taking over with her brother John Murphy in 1982.
“The time is right for me to pass this torch to the next generation,” Murphy Burns said. “We might be small, but we are mighty, and with the help of all the wonderful people I’ve worked with over the years, I’m immensely proud of what we’ve accomplished.”
Murphy Burns is considered a pioneer woman in broadcasting.
She was the first woman elected to the CBS affiliates advisory board, one of the first women elected to the National Association of Broadcasters board of directors and designated a “Giant of Broadcasting” by the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation.
“I see so much promise for the future of our company if we remain committed to principles of community service and localism,” Murphy Burns said. “It’s what we do!”
With this move, current Chief Operating Officer Brian Burns becomes the fifth CEO in the company’s 135-year history.
“Liz’s legendary leadership of this company won’t soon be matched,” Brian Burns said. “Her standard of professionalism, innovation, community service and commitment to the hundreds of people working in our company is something I think about every day.”
Morgan Murphy Media is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin and operates television and radio stations, websites, a print magazine, apps and a digital marketing agency across nine locations.
The leadership changes are effective immediately.
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