Mary Quass

The Mentoring and Inspiring Women (MIW) in Radio Group proudly announces that NRG Media Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mary Quass has been named the 2017 MIW Trailblazer.  Quass will receive the 9th annual MIW Radio Group Frances Preston Trailblazer Award on September 6th during the 2017 Radio Show Wednesday Headliner general session at 4 p.m. The 2017 Radio Show, held September 5-8, 2017 in Austin.

The MIW Radio Group Trailblazer Award is presented annually to a woman who, through her leadership and success in the media industry, creates opportunities for other women in radio.  In 2012, it was renamed the “Frances Preston Trailblazer Award” in honor of Frances Preston, longtime president and chief executive officer of BMI and one of the original MIW Radio Group members.

Mary Quass formed New Radio Group in 2001, growing the Company since that time to NRG Media, a privately held radio broadcasting and digital media company that operates 45 radio stations and corresponding digital delivery channels in 10 Midwest Markets (Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois).  Mary’s radio career began as an account executive in 1977, and she bought her first radio station in 1989. What began as a single market company called QBC, became part of Capstar Broadcating and eventually Clear Channel. New Radio Group came soon thereafter.

The radio industry, at the national and local level, has recognized Mary Quass on numerous occasions. She has been listed as one of Radio Ink’s Most Influential Women in Radio for many years and honored with the magazine’s “MIW Radio Legend Award” in 2015.  Mary was named as one of Radio Ink’s 40 Most Powerful People in Radio, Radio Wayne Broadcaster of the Year, Iowa Broadcasters Associations Hall of Fame and was recognized with the 2011 Country Radio Broadcasting Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award, and 2014 Ward L. Quaal Leadership Award.  In 2017, she was recognized by Radio Ink as #1 of the Top 20 Leaders in Radio.  Currently Mary is a finalist for the 2017 Radio Wayne “Best Broadcaster in America” award.

Throughout her career, Mary has served many industry and local organizations. Currently, she is a member of NAB Executive Committee/NAB Board of Directors, a member of the RAB Board of Directors and is a past Iowa Broadcasters board member. At the local level, Mary is past chair of the Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce, and is a former board member of several charitable organizations such Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, Waypoint Women’s Center and All Saints Parish Foundation.

“The Trailblazer Award is the MIW Group’s most respected and coveted accolade,” says MIW Group National Spokeswoman Denyse Mesnik. “MIW Trailblazers are accomplished professionals whose courage and tenacity has propelled them to the highest level of success. What further sets them apart is a dedication to utilize their talents to inspire others to do the same. Mary Quass embodies these qualities and it is a privilege to recognize her as our 2017 MIW Trailblazer.”

“I am so appreciative of this honor, and humbled to stand in the shadow of those who have gone before me,” says Quass. “I am grateful to have had the benefit of the MIWs good work and support. Also, I am thankful for their tireless efforts to elevate the profile of women in broadcasting and applaud them for always being there to encourage talented women to achieve their goals. I feel very fortunate to be in this wonderful business and will do my best to strive to achieve some of what these amazing women have accomplished.”