SKIP FINLEY

Broadcast owner/operator, advisor and award-winning author

Having become an award-winning author, historian and speaker, Skip Finley is a retired broadcaster who has written for, been featured or quoted in most media industry trade publications. Of his 55 years in media, he has worked in television, advertising and marketing prior to and alongside the 41 years of his career in radio.

Skip built his career in radio, becoming a well-known executive and station owner. He was a chairman of the Radio Advertising Bureau and vice chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters. He served on virtually all broadcasting industry boards of directors and executive committees.

Skip’s career in media since 1971 included responsibility for 44 radio stations (five that he owned) encompassing 18 markets. His experience includes successes with radio networks, syndicated programs, formats and a satellite channel.

A good deal of his career was spent in media finance in the areas of lending and equity utilized to buy and sell properties.

Having attempted to retire since age 50, he keeps returning to communications, most recently for the Vineyard Gazette Media Group on Martha's Vineyard, where he summered since 1955 and lived for much of his career. Since 1999 Skip has written award winning articles for the Vineyard Gazette, Martha’s Vineyard magazine, The Boston Globe Sunday Magazine, the Provincetown Banner, the Martha’s Vineyard Museum publications, Sea History magazine and more.

A gifted researcher, Finley is also an entertaining speaker with an interesting and highly toned sense of humor used quite a few times to speak about his book - published by the Naval Institute - Whaling Captains of Color: America’s First Meritocracy. His other book, Historic Tales of Oak Bluffs was published by The History Press. It would seem he has failed retirement – made easier by four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.