2025 OAB Executive Forum Speakers

Steve Wexler
Owner, W-E-X-L Coaching & Development, LLC
Creating Breakthrough Local Content

Steve Wexler created a make-believe radio station (“W-E-X-L Radio”) in his bedroom when he was a kid and rode his bike to WTMJ in Milwaukee when he was 17 years old and asked if he could be on the air. That began a nearly four-decade career in which Steve managed radio and TV operations throughout the U.S. for companies including King Broadcasting, Hearst, Journal Communications, Journal Radio Group, Neuhoff Communications, and E.W. Scripps. In 2022, Steve launched his own leadership and coaching consultancy: W-E-X-L Coaching & Development, LLC. Steve has served on the board of directors of the National Association of Broadcasters, the Radio Advertising Bureau and is a past Chair of the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association. Steve and his wife Amy live just outside of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and have two children and three grandchildren.

Tim Stried
Director of Media Relations, Ohio High School Athletic Association
Emerging Trends in High School Sports

Tim joined the Ohio High School Athletic Association as Director of Communications in the fall of 2008. He handles media relations and communications for the association; oversees media operations at state tournaments; plays a key role in the production of various publications, including state tournament souvenir programs, and has oversight of the OHSAA website and social media. Tim joined the OHSAA after five years in the athletics communications office at The Ohio State University. Tim and his wife, Anna, a mathematics teacher, reside in Delaware. They have two sons, Gavin (15) and Graham (13). Tim is a licensed OHSAA basketball official and also coaches football at Olentangy Liberty Middle School. He enjoys running, hunting and fishing and following the Cincinnati Reds.

Chris Brunt
Director of AI, Digital and Revenue Generation, Jacobs Media
Digital Revenue Generation and Practical Applications of AI

Chris has 30-plus years’ experience in radio programming, digital content creation, and digital sales, most recently at Beasley Media Detroit. During his time at Beasley and Greater Media, Brunt made his mark in the development of websites, audio and video streaming, podcasts, and social media channels. As Digital Sales Manager, he drove increases in revenue by leveraging both owned/operated and programmatic media. Along with his duties at Jacobs Media, Chris develops revenue opportunities for jācapps’ mobile apps clients. Chris is an alumnus of both Lyman Briggs School and the College of Communication Arts and Sciences at Michigan State University and resides in metropolitan Detroit.

Lisa Fields
President, Media Staffing Network
Retaining Local Talent, Building Morale, and Staying an Employer of Choice

Lisa Fields is President of Media Staffing Network. Her passion for the broadcast industry began decades ago with an interest in television journalism – even exchanging letters with Walter Cronkite. But her broadcast career began in a Hardee’s drive-thru when a customer told her she had a nice voice and asked if she ever considered working in radio. That customer was the program director of an AM station in Asheboro, N.C., who gave Lisa her first radio job. These days Lisa’s passion has morphed into a career serving the industry. Media Staffing Network is a renowned provider of staffing solutions tailored specifically to the media industry. The company serves a diverse range of clients, from major broadcasters to small-market organizations, with unwavering dedication and a partnership mentality.

Brigadier General Matthew Woodruff
Ohio Army National Guard
Noon Luncheon and Annual Meeting

Brigadier General Matthew S. Woodruff was recently selected to serve as the Ohio Adjutant General, serving as a cabinet member to Governor Mike DeWine and providing oversight to both the Army and the Air National Guard in Ohio. He previously served as Assistant Adjutant General for Army since February 2023. General Woodruff began his military career in May of 1990 when he enlisted as a medical specialist in the U.S. Army Reserves. He received his commission as an Infantry Officer from Bowling Green State University in 1996. He is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic Course and the Combined Logistics Officer Advanced Course, Command and General Staff College, Advanced Operations Course, and the U.S. Army War College (DDE). General Woodruff holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Bowling Green State University, a Master of Science in Logistics Management from the Air Force Institute of Technology, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College.

Patrick Cross
Partner, Brooks Pierce, LLP
Regulatory & Legislative Update

Patrick Cross is a partner with Brooks Pierce, LLP. He represents media and broadcasting companies and radio and television stations in resolving issues regarding FCC regulatory compliance, technical matters, FCC enforcement matters, programming, licensing, copyright and other intellectual property matters, ownership, and a variety of other issues. Patrick has been practicing law since 2016 and clerked for two federal judges prior to joining Brooks Pierce’s Communications Practice. Prior to attending law school, Patrick spent seven years touring the world as the lead guitarist and tour manager for an 11-member musical act.

Jimmy Wolf
Lobbyist, Statehouse Impact Group
Regulatory & Legislative Update

Jimmy Wolf joined Statehouse Impact Group in January 2021, after serving as Legislative Liaison at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). During his time at the PUCO, Jimmy acted as the main point of contact between Ohio elected officials and the Commission. He also assisted the Chairman on testimony before the Ohio legislature, managed bill tracking for legislation that may impact the agency, and ensured PUCO administrative rule proposals and State Controlling Board requests were approved by legislative committees. Prior to his work at the PUCO, Jimmy gained extensive legislative experience working for three Speakers of the Ohio House of Representatives as a Majority Policy Advisor, spent two years as Rep. Bill Seitz’s Senior Legislative Aide, and was a Legislative Service Commission (LSC) fellow in the Ohio Senate. He is an avid golfer and enjoys spending time watching Ole Miss sports. Jimmy resides in Granville with his wife Julia and their newborn daughter.

Alex Siciliano
SVP Public Affairs, National Association of Broadcasters
Advancing Local Broadcasting: A Washington Update

Alex Siciliano is the Senior Vice President of Communications and chief spokesperson at the National Association of Broadcasters. He leads NAB’s public relations efforts on key advocacy issues, developing and executing media strategies to advance broadcasters’ policy agenda before Congress and the Federal Communications Commission. He also advises NAB’s executive leadership on message development and communications strategy. Before joining NAB, Siciliano was Vice President of Communications at The Petrizzo Group, where he designed strategic communications and advocacy campaigns for multinational clients across a range of industries. He previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff to former U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado, advising on policy and communications during Gardner’s tenure as a member of Senate Republican leadership and the Senate Commerce Committee. Siciliano also worked for Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and on the presidential campaign of Sen. John McCain of Arizona.