Ron J. Gordon, 68, died on February 20, 2023, after battling cancer. Ron was an accomplished businessman, serving as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Arlington-based ZGS Communications (“ZGS”), the Hispanic-owned Spanish-language media company he founded in 1983 with interests in television, radio, and the internet. Under his leadership, ZGS represented the largest group of independently owned and operated stations affiliated with the Telemundo television network, bringing Spanish-language TV to DC for the first time. In 2009, taking a break from running ZGS, Ron was named President of the Telemundo Station Group at NBC Universal, becoming responsible for the strategic direction and day-to-day management of the largest Spanish television stations in the country. In 2017, he sold ZGS to Comcast/NBC Universal. Over his many years in the industry, Ron received numerous accolades including 5 Emmy Awards, 2 Telly Awards, and a White House Media Achievement Award.
Ron also served on the Board of Trustees of WETA, the flagship PBS television station in the nation’s capital; and was a co-founder of John Marshall Bank, a leading community bank in the DC area.
After enjoying tremendous professional success, Ron was able to live out his lifelong dream of owning and managing a football club. In 2019, he became the majority owner and executive chairman of Hibernian F.C., a professional soccer team in the Scottish Premiership, the top tier of the Scottish Professional Football League. He relished the opportunity to develop a long-term strategic plan for the “Hibs,” and to steer the Club’s success on and off the pitch.
Ron received his BA in International Relations with a minor in economics from Syracuse University.
Along with his business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit, Ron will long be remembered for his bigger than life personality and his ability to listen and lead with a keen sense of humor. He is survived by his wife Kit and two sons Ian and Colin.
RIP Ron. It’s a tough business, but it sounds like you accomplished your life long dream. 🙂