Draper Holdings Business Trust, parent company of WBOC-TV and Loblolly LLC, has named Chairman of the Board Molly Draper Russell Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Russell has been on the board for decades and has served as Chairman for nearly three years.

Russell assumes the position previously held by her father, Thomas H. Draper, who was killed in a bicycle accident in September 2017.

“Broadcasting and land stewardship have always been important to our family,” said Russell. “I’m honored to lead the company along with the support of my sister and brothers. We are fully committed to fulfilling my dad’s legacy of serving the people of Delmarva through local media.”

After graduating from the University of Delaware, Russell began her broadcasting career at KGBT-TV in South Texas, a station previously owned by Draper Holdings. She also worked at WPEC in West Palm Beach, Fla., and WTMJ in Milwaukee.

“Under her leadership, we have grown our media holdings,” said Craig Jahelka, President of Draper Media. “It was Molly’s direction and passion that lead us to launch Telemundo Delmarva serving the area’s Spanish-speaking population as well as our recent acquisition of four radio stations in Cambridge.”

“My dad taught me many great things, but most importantly, to surround myself with great people,” says Russell. “And that’s what makes our company so successful. Together we will make my father proud.”

Draper Holdings is locally owned and operated. Properties include WBOC-TV, FOX21, WBOC Classics, Telemundo Delmarva, 102.5 WBOC-FM, 100.9 Classic Country WAAI-FM, 106.3 Chesapeake Country WCEM-FM, 107.1 The Duck WTDK-FM, 1240 Adult Standards WCEM-AM and Loblolly LLC.