BFOA Take Five: Chris Forgy
As part of a new series, BFOA Take Five, our fall intern, Zach Badalamenti, interviewed Chris Forgy, President & CEO of Saga Communications. Joining Saga Communications in 1995, Chris has dedicated his career to furthering the broadcast industry.
ZB: Why did you pursue a career in the broadcasting industry?
CF: I was raised in the industry. Back when I was a kid, I used to go to the Saturday morning sales meetings with my dad. I remember messing around the station and getting to meet so many incredible people like Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, and the Beatles. I have been enamored with the showbiz side of the industry ever since.
ZB: What qualities do you possess that were helpful or beneficial to reaching your level of success?
CF: I am not the typical CEO, but I think that’s to my advantage. I’m extremely transparent. I’m sincere in my communications skills; there’s no hidden agenda. I don’t have a filter; I like to say I had it removed surgically. Although some people may not like the direct nature of what I say, I think they appreciate knowing where they stand as far as I see them. The other thing I think is critical is that I am very willing to pour myself into people who are willing to grow because I care deeply about my people. I believe it that my staff are our most precious resource.
ZB: How do you motivate yourself and the people around you?
CF: I don’t believe people can be motivated, but you can create stimuli for them to be motivated. As a leader, you cannot control the people around you nor can you be a mind-reader or read their heart. The only thing we can really do as leaders is observe their behavior and create a transparent environment where people feel safe, respected, challenged, and inspired so that they can find fulfillment and success in their careers and their lives.
ZB: What advice would you give to your young self that you had wished someone told you?
CF: Your mentors don’t choose you; you choose them. I think that I was very fortunate and chose people I was able to trust and look to for advice. In some cases, I didn’t follow their advice because of my own belief system. I think if you choose the right people to help mold you and you trust them, you’ll get to where you want to go.
ZB: Why do you support the BFOA?
CF: Have you ever had someone say to you, why do you take it so personally? I couldn’t disagree with that more because I think it’s all personal. When you spend as much time and energy away from your family investing in people, it’s all personal. When I was at the BFOA breakfast [during the NABshow], I saw the videos of the impact the foundation had made on people’s lives, I had to be a part of it. It was personal.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
About Zach Badalamenti: An Oakland native, Zach is a journalism major in the Fordham University Class of 2025. Initially joining as a summer intern, our team was excited to welcome Zach for a second semester. You can reach out to Zach on LinkedIn. The BFOA Internship Program is generously sponsored by the NY State Broadcasters Association.
About the Broadcasters Foundation of America: www.broadcastersfoundation.org
The mission of the Broadcasters Foundation of America is to improve the quality of life for men and women in the radio and television broadcast profession who find themselves in acute need. The Foundation reaches out across the country to identify and provide an anonymous safety net in cases of critical illness, accident, and other serious misfortune. The Broadcasters Foundation of America is a 501(c)3 Public Charity and has received four stars from Charity Navigator, its highest rating, and a Gold Seal of Transparency from Candid/Guidestar.