W. Don Cornwell
Encyclopedia
W. Don Cornwell is the former CEO, Chairman, and co-founder of Granite Broadcasting (1988–2009). He stepped down as CEO on August 31, 2009 and will remain as a Vice Chairman and member of the Board of Directors until December 31, 2009. Peter Markham takes his place as CEO of the broadcasting company.

Founded in 1988 with the purchase of stations in Duluth and Peoria, Granite developed from an entrepreneurial idea into a diverse station group which operates and provides services to 23 channels in 9 markets, reaching more than six percent of U.S. television households. The Company owns or manages affiliates of NBC (4), ABC (3), CBS (3), one major market My Network TV (MNTV) affiliate and one major marketindependent station. In many markets, Granite broadcasts additional programming content including MNTV, The CW Network (CW), Spanish language programming such as TvAzteca and LATV, and 24/7 local news over the digital spectrum of its stations.

Granite grew through operating performance and the acquisition of more than 15 television stations to become, at one time, one of the 25 largest television station groups as measured by Broadcasting and Cable Magazine and the largest television broadcast company in America controlled by an African American. Black Enterprise Magazine named Granite as its Company of the Year in 1995. From 1991 through 2006, Granite was publicly owned with common stock listed on NASDAQ and several issues of debt registered with the SEC.

Granite declared bankruptcy in December 2006 in order to restructure its balance sheet and had its plan of reorganization approved by the court in June 2007. Following the restructuring which included a severe period of recession beginning in 2007, Granite achieved significant reductions in station and corporate cost
structure with widespread use of technology and innovative changes in business practices and business model.

He sits on the board of directors of Avon Products
Avon Products
Avon Products, Inc. is a US cosmetics, perfume and toy seller with markets in over 140 countries across the world and sales of $9.9 billion worldwide as of 2007.-Business Model:...

 (since 2002),
Pfizer
Pfizer
Pfizer, Inc. is an American multinational pharmaceutical corporation. The company is based in New York City, New York with its research headquarters in Groton, Connecticut, United States...

 (since 1997), the Wallace Foundation and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of New York.

Prior to founding Granite, Mr. Cornwell was employed by Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is an American multinational bulge bracket investment banking and securities firm that engages in global investment banking, securities, investment management, and other financial services primarily with institutional clients...

 (1971 to 1988). He was formerly on the board of directors for CVS
CVS Corporation
CVS Pharmacy, or simply CVS, is the second largest pharmacy chain in the United States , with over 7,000 stores in 41 states and Puerto Rico...

 (1994–2007), the National Association of Broadcasters, the Hershey Trust Company and Milton Hershey School(-2002), the New York University Medical Center, and chairman of Telecommunications Development Fund (1997–2006).
Former trustee of Occidental College, and Citizens Budget Commission (2001–2005).

Cornwell received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Occidental College
Occidental College
Occidental College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1887, Occidental College, or "Oxy" as it is called by students and alumni, is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges on the West Coast...

 in 1969 and a Masters degree in Business Administration from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...

in 1971.

Born 1948, Cushing, OK. He grew up in Tacoma, WA. He is married to Saundra Williams-Cornwell and has two children, K. Don Cornwell and Samantha Cornwell.

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Awards:

1996 Occidental College, Alumnus of the Year Award

1999 Harvard Business School, Alumni Achievement Award

External links

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