Mark Mays


Mark P. Mays is the former president and CEO of Clear Channel Communications, Inc., a global media and entertainment company based in San Antonio, Texas, United States. Mays took over as president and CEO in October 2004, after serving the company in other roles.

Early life

Mays graduated from the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut in 1981. Mays holds a B.A. from Vanderbilt University in Math and Economics, and an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School. Mays is an Eagle Scout.
In October 2007, 41 Democratic United States Senators sent a letter of request to Mays, asking him to renounce Rush Limbaugh for his comments allegedly referring to all soldiers who disagreed with the Iraq War as "phony soldiers". Mays gave Limbaugh the letter, who in turn auctioned it on eBay of behalf of the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation, netting $4.2 million in total for the charity, including the matching funds.
On February 4, 2007 Mays resigned from his position as Chairman at Live Nation. On June 22, 2010, Mays announced his intention to step down as CEO at the end of 2010, but would remain as Chairman of the Board at Clear Channel. The announcement additionally directed the Board to begin a search for his replacement and was sent via email to all Clear Channel employees
Mays is a member of the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America, the organization's governing body. He serves on the board of trust of his alma mater, Vanderbilt University.