SAGA COMMUNICATIONS INC appointed Warren S. Lada as new CEO

Item 5.02.Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers. 



Passing of Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Edward K. Christian

On Monday, August 22, 2022, Saga Communications, Inc. (the "Company" or "Saga") issued a press release announcing that President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, Edward K. Christian passed away on Friday, August 19, 2022. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference. 

Appointment of Interim President and Chief Executive Officer Warren S. Lada

On August 21, 2022, the Board appointed Warren S. Lada, a current member of the Board, as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, to serve while the Board conducts a formal search for a permanent successor to Mr. Christian. In addition to his new role as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Lada will continue to serve as a member of the Company's Board.



Warren S. Lada, 67, joined the Board in May of 2018. Mr. Lada served as Chief Operating Officer of the Company from March 2016 to June 30, 2018. Mr. Lada began his broadcast career in 1976 and served in various capacities for several broadcast companies before joining Saga in 1991. He initially served as General Manager of WAQY, Rock 102 in Springfield, MA and Regional Vice President for Saga Communications of New England. Mr. Lada held several positions during his twenty-seven years with the Company

There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Lada and any other persons pursuant to which Mr. Lada was selected as an officer of the Company, and Mr. Lada has no direct or indirect material interest in any transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act.

Board Committee Assignments 



In light of Mr. Lada's appointment as Interim President and CEO, he has stepped down from the Finance and Audit Committee. Independent director Roy F. Coppedge III has been appointed into the Committee in his stead. Thus the membership of the Finance and Audit Committee now consist of Messrs. Bergner, Clarke and Coppedge. Mr. Clarke is the Chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee. The Board designated Mr. Clarke as an "audit committee financial expert" as that term is defined in the SEC rules. The Board has determined that all members of the Finance and Audit Committee are independent under the rules of the SEC and under NASDAQ's listing requirements.