By Connie Thiessen
Vista Radio has named Joe Gabor as company president, effective today.
Gabor succeeds Bryan Edwards, who had held the role since the fall of 2019, when Vista released four of its senior executives, including President Geoff Poulton. Prior to that, Edwards had been in the role of senior vice president of business development.
Gabor is promoted from the position of vice president of business development. He has been with Vista since 2019, initially joining the company as director of western operations.
In an announcement, Vista’s board of directors thanked Edwards – who’ll continue to serve as a director – for “his vision, dedication, and passion” in leading the company.
“Joe is absolutely the right person to lead Vista into the future,” Edwards said in the company’s announcement. “I’ve had the privilege of working closely alongside him and I’ve been continually impressed by his leadership, vision, business instincts, and commitment to our people and communities.”
“Vista has always been built around strong local connections, incredible teams, and a drive to evolve while staying true to who we are,” he continued. “I’m extremely proud of what we’ve built together over the years, and I’m very confident in the future of the company under Joe’s leadership.”
Gabor’s background includes three years as senior manager of product development at CBC Sports & Olympics, a six-year stint with the NHL Network as managing director – Canada, and a number of turns with Bell Media, including serving as chief of staff to former president Kevin Crull.
Vista says Gabor has built a strong reputation for “strategic thinking, operational leadership, digital innovation, and a deep understanding of the evolving media landscape.”
“I am honoured and grateful for the opportunity to serve as President of Vista Radio,” said Gabor. “Bryan has led an extraordinary company rooted in local communities and connected to the people and businesses it reaches every day. I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Bryan and the entire Vista team for several years, and I have tremendous respect for the company and culture he has shaped.”
“Vista’s strength has always come from the talented people and dedicated teams in our stations across the country, the relationships they’ve built, and the company’s connection to the communities we serve” he continued. “As we move to our next chapter, my focus will be on strengthening that foundation and ensuring Vista continues to adapt, compete, and succeed as our industry evolves.”
Vista currently operates 72 radio stations and 52 locally-focused digital news sites across B.C., Alberta, Ontario, and the Northwest Territories.
Photo of Joe Gabor
