Legacy Broadcasters InitiativE

The Greater Montana Foundation (GMF) was founded in 1958 by pioneer broadcaster and philanthropist Ed Craney to benefit the people of Montana through the improvement of broadcasting in the state. Mr. Craney’s vision was to encourage and energize Montana Broadcasters to better serve their communities and provide a level of community service that could not be matched by any other entity. Established with a permanent endowment, the GMF provides annual grants “encouraging communications, with an emphasis on electronic media, on issues, trends and values of importance to present and future generations of Montanans.”

Over the years, there have been many broadcasters in this state that have devoted their professional lives to Mr. Craney’s vision and have exemplified the role of community service through quality programming, public service, professionalism and integrity. In 2012, the Board of Trustees of the Greater Montana Foundation voted to provide a lasting legacy to as many of these broadcasters as possible through the Legacy Broadcasters Initiative.

Together with the Montana Historical Society, the Legacy Broadcasters Initiative provides a glimpse into the lives and contributions of these outstanding men and women, and preserve their legacy for future generations of broadcasters to emulate. See interviews below (scroll down for complete list of interviews).

Throughout the years, we will add to the list, the names of many other Montana broadcasters who make a difference in their communities and state and continue the Craney tradition of excellence. The Greater Montana Foundation is proud to salute these outstanding broadcasters through the Legacy Broadcasters Initiative.

Randy Morger-Chairman, 2011-2015
Greater Montana Foundation
Bob Hermes - Director
Chairman-Legacy Initiative

The Greater Montana Foundation thanks Scripps and their Television stations throughout Montana for providing studio, production and edit facilities for the Legacy Broadcasters Initiative interviews.

The Legacy Project of the Greater Montana Foundation is produced in coordination with the Montana Historical Society.

The Legacy Project

Darlene Craney

Norma Ashby

Lonnie Bell

Conrad Burns

Cato Butler

Jerry Black

Ron Cass

Donna Kelley

Herb McAllister

Bob Merrill

Dan Miller

Vic Miller

Brent Musburger

George Ostrom

Gene Peterson

Fred Pfeiffer

Jerry Puffer

Dave Rye

Dan Snyder

Stan Stephens

Art Taft

Stan Whitman

Dave Wilson

Joe Sample

Bill Whitsitt

Jill Valley

Dennis Bragg

Peter Christian

About GMF

The Board of Trustees

Legacy Broadcast Initiative