Bob Freeman Scholarship

Bob Freeman Scholarship

A native of Royal Oak, Michigan, Bob Freeman launched his radio and television career on-air while studying broadcasting and journalism at Northern Michigan University. After graduating in 1982, he moved to Lacrosse, Wisconsin to work in sales for KKRC/KYKC. After a brief transfer to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Bob relocated to Colorado Springs, Colorado where he became a sales manager for KCS. A decade later, he moved to San Diego, California and into sales management at Nationwide Communications KXGL-FM. In 1998, he transitioned to cable ad sales management at Cox Media, where he worked in the advertising sales division of Cox Communications. In 2001, he was promoted to the General Sales Manager position in Phoenix, Arizona.

In 2004, Bob took a break from large corporate media and became the Vice President for Hotchkiss Marketing Solutions, a radio consulting company. After a few months he developed and became the president of Freeman Training Systems, a media sales and leadership training company designed to take sellers and leaders to the next level. Through this work, and his vast network, he caught the attention of the GAP Broadcasting Group, LLC based in Scottsdale, Arizona, and he became their Vice President of Sales in 2008. Shortly thereafter, Town Square Media, Inc. purchased GAP, and Bob became a regional sales manager, eventually becoming a senior vice president for sales.

Bob had a passion for helping people succeed through customized training, the development of sound leadership skills, and hard work. He travelled the country to learn about his markets and get to know the people working in them, providing the tools and skills to improve performance.  He listened carefully, advised accordingly, and was not afraid to make tough decisions. He had respect for the process, and even more so, respect and appreciation for his colleagues. He had a big heart, a positive attitude and an easy laugh.

Bob died of acute myeloid leukemia at age 64. He leaves behind his wife, Robin; sons Chris and Matt and their mother, Patti; Robin’s son Ryan, daughter Alicia (Chet), three grandchildren; his sister, Sue; father, Jerry; and many in-laws, friends and colleagues.   His mom, Ruth, passed a few weeks before him.

An endowed scholarship fund through the Broadcast Education Association has been set up in Bob’s name to honor him and his legacy of education and training in radio and media sales. To donate, click here and select the Bob Freeman Scholarship Fund.