Mike Cavender Named RTDNA Executive Dir.

The Radio Television Digital News Association today selected Mike Cavender to serve as the organization’s executive director.

Cavender, who will also oversee the Radio Television Digital News Foundation, is a 25-year broadcast and digital media veteran and life member of RTDNA. A senior-level communications executive with major market TV news management experience, he was formerly vice president of client solutions for Synaptic Digital, a multichannel media creation and distribution platform.

Previously, he was a vice president and news director at CBS television affiliates in Washington, Atlanta, Tampa, and Nashville.  Additionally, Cavender held board leadership roles at RTDNA/F for 20 years, serving as chairman, director, trustee and treasurer. Earlier in his career, Cavender was a writer, producer and executive producer.

“Journalists rely on RTDNA to defend their work and protect our right to a free and unfettered press,” said RTDNA Chairman Kevin Benz. “Mike’s passion will energize our association, reaffirming our commitment to providing best practices for the journalist and standing up for journalism in Washington, D.C. With Mike’s leadership, we look forward to providing our members the support, guidance and mentoring they need to do their jobs and serve their communities. ”

RTDNF Chairman Mark Kraham said the scholarship and educational arm of the organization “performs an invaluable service for both young and mid-career journalists and news managers. Mike’s intimately familiar with these important roles, and he will serve our constituents very well.”

In his first posting as executive director on the RTDNA’s website, Cavender wrote: “My goal, in the weeks and months ahead, is to spearhead an effort to make RTDNA the most valuable professional resource it can be. Whether it’s day-to-day best practices, First Amendment advocacy, ethics training, job placement, overseas programs — when you need professional support, I want RTDNA to be the first place you look.”