McSlarrow, Rehr Quietly Extend Contracts

WASHINGTON — The leading cable and broadcasting trade associations in Washington D.C. have made key personnel decisions — but they both decided not to tell anyone.

Let’s start with the National Cable & Telecommunications Association. Kyle McSlarrow, who became NCTA president in March 2005, would have been up for a contract extension this year if his original package had been for three years in keeping with past deals given NCTA’s top person.

Asked about McSlarrow’s contract status, an NCTA spokesman said McSlarrow received a four-year extension in late 2006, just 18 months after taking the job from his No. 2 post in the Department of Energy. McSlarrow, in other words, will be the face of the cable industry in Washington, D.C. until the end of 2010.

David Rehr, former president of the National Beer Wholesalers Association President, became president of the National Association of Broadcasters in December 2005. At the time of his appointment, Rehr did not disclose contract terms. But sometime in his first 25 months on the job, Rehr got a new deal from the NAB board.

“David has signed a multi-year contract which provides a competitive compensation package. It would be inappropriate to get into details," said Dennis Wharton, NAB’s executive vice president of media relations.