NAB Names Baum VP, Government Relations

The National Association of Broadcasters today announced the hiring of Ray Baum, formerly senior policy advisor to the House Committee on Energy & Commerce, as the organization’s vice president, government relations starting March 31. He will report to NAB EVP of Government Relations Curtis LeGeyt.

“I’m pleased to have Ray Baum joining our talented government relations department,” NAB President/CEO Gordon Smith says in a statement. “He brings extensive policymaking experience on the federal, state and local levels as both a legislator and staffer. Broadcasters will benefit greatly from having Ray advocating on our behalf in Washington.”

Baum joined the staff of the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology in January 2011 as a senior policy advisor. In July 2013, he took on an expanded role of senior policy advisor for the full committee, and served as its chief strategist on state initiatives, cybersecurity, telecommunications, and technology.

Prior to joining the House Energy & Commerce Committee, Baum was appointed as a commissioner on the Oregon Public Utility Commission in 2003, and served as chairman in 2010 until coming to Capitol Hill. He also served as chairman of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Telecommunications Committee from 2008-2010. Originally an attorney in private practice, Baum was elected to the Oregon State Legislature in 1989 and served until 1997.

He was the House Majority Leader in 1995 until leaving the legislature. Baum holds a B.A. in Financial Planning and Services/Agricultural Economics from Brigham Young University and a J.D. from Willamette University College of Law.