Amb. Ryan Crocker named MBN Acting Board Chair

Amb. Ryan Crocker named MBN Acting Board Chair

June 17, 2024

Springfield, Va. — The Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Inc. (MBN) announced that Amb. Ryan Crocker will serve as the acting chair of its board of directors. Amb. Crocker is a career diplomat who has served as the U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Kuwait and Pakistan. He is succeeding veteran journalist James O’Shea, who stepped down from the board earlier this month.

“On behalf of MBN, I want to thank Jim for serving as board chair for the past two years. He strove to improve and strengthen MBN in the marketplace, and we appreciate his tireless work for the organization,” stated MBN Acting President/CEO Jeff Gedmin. “We look to Ryan to continue to develop and support MBN as it moves into its next era.”

Amb. Crocker added, “I also wish to express my gratitude and appreciation for Jim’s impact and dedication as the MBN board chair. Jim is a world-class journalist who brought invaluable experience to the organization and the board and set in motion a transformation process that will move MBN forward and allow our talented team of journalists to thrive.”

Amb. Crocker has received many of the nation’s highest honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Presidential Distinguished Service Award, the State Department Secretary’s Distinguished Service Award, the Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award, the State Department Distinguished Honor Award, The Award for Valor, three Superior Honor Awards and the American Foreign Service Association’s Rivkin Award.

About MBN