Francis X. Comerford, the 251st Grand Marshal of the NYC Saint Patrick's Day Parade
Francis x. comerford
Francis X. Comerford is the Chief Revenue Officer and President of Commercial Operations for the NBC Owned Television Stations. In this role, Frank oversees all commercial efforts for the division's 10 television stations, online properties and digital out-of-home division and is responsible for developing new partnerships and business ventures that align the group's growth with the needs of its clients.
Frank grew up in Brooklyn in Our Lady of Angels Parish when he attended grammar school before attending Xavier High School. He holds a BS in Business Administration and Finance from Georgetown University. Frank currently resides in Brooklyn and Long Island with his wife, Maura, and their son Francis Jr. and he is still a member of Our Lady of Angels Parish in Bay Ridge. Frank Comerford traces his Irish heritage to County Kilkenny.
Frank has worked in the television industry for more than 30 years, including over 15 years with NBC. Before being promoted to his current role in April 2008, he was President and General Manager of NBC's flagship station, WNBC, in New York. During his tenure, he oversaw the station's conversion to high definition, expanded its community partnerships and increased locally produced content. Prior to his role at WNBC, Frank served as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the NBC-owned stations group from 1999 through 2002. He joined NBC in 1994 and held various positions of increasing responsibility within the sales group, culminating with his 1996 promotion to Vice President of Sales for WNBC. Prior to joining NBC, Frank was with WSBK-TV in Boston from 1986 until 1994, serving in several different sales management positions. He began his career in the television industry in 1981 with Storer Television Sales in New York City.
Frank is very active in the community and serves on many charitable board, most notably the New York City St Patrick's Day Parade, Xavier High School, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, the DeSales Media (Diocese of Brooklyn's television station), the Association for a Better New York, NYC & Company, Lutheran Medical Center, The Television Bureau of Advertising and The John A. Reisenbach Foundation.
Frank has been honored by several prestigious organizations, including the Child Abuse Prevention Program, Abilities School, the Diocese of Brooklyn "Distinguished Communicator Award," Friends of AHRC Nassau Autism Program, Shining Star Award, New Yorkers for Children, Nicholas Scarpetta Award for Service to Children and Chief Brehon of Brooklyn's Great Irish Fair, which benefits Catholic Charities. He was named a "Favorite Son of Brooklyn" with Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz declaring November 26, 2002 Frank Comerford Day. Frank was also honored by Medgar Evers College in 2004 and by the St Patrick's Parade Committee in 2003 with a Trustee Award.