When a trade association is very fortunate, it is blessed with a leader who epitomizes what it means to strive for excellence and make an impact on an industry, but also strikes that fine balance between hard work and humanity. Bruce “Buz” Buzogany was one of those rare and exceptional leaders, and his passing on April 9 has many MFM staff and members recalling with great fondness the 10 years he headed the association.
Buz spent his entire career in the media industry, starting with television and eventually moving to media-related trade associations. He joined Broadcast Cable Financial Management (BCFM) association in 1993, prior to its name change to MFM, as Executive Director. By all accounts, Buz reinvented and reinvigorated the organization.
Robin Szabo, President of Szabo Associates, who has been involved with MFM for the past 47 years, has many treasured memories of Buz and respect for his capabilities. “I met Buz for the first time at the Annual Conference in Orlando, May 1993, Szabo said. “I knew from the beginning he had a passion for the association and its members, and that big changes were ahead. Buz always had an ear for suggestions and continually sought feedback on how the association could improve for its members.”
Buz’s tireless efforts resulted in BCFM’s growth, and contributed heavily to MFM becoming the increasingly valuable association it is today: “Almost overnight he took a 60s-era association into the roaring 90s amidst much industry change, and brought it forward into the 21st century, guiding the association with a steady hand,” Szabo said, adding, “He was a good friend with a hearty laugh who enjoyed life and those around him. “
If you ever worked for Buz, as Jamie Grande, MFM’s Director of Operations and Events did, you likely have your own cache of fond memories. “He hired me in 1995. And I am grateful for that every day. He was not only my boss, but my mentor,” Grande said. She describes him as “….an innovator – not only in getting BCFM and BCCA online before any other associations, credit bureaus, and most businesses but in his thinking of ways to make money for the organization and making it successful.”
Clearly, Buz had an inordinate ability to institute changes to make almost any organization he got involved with successful, and we tip our hats to Buz Buzogany. Please join us in remembering him.
His obituary is below.
Bruce "Buz" Buzogany Obituary
Bruce “Buz” Buzogany, age 74, of Nebo departed this life peacefully Tuesday, April 9, 2024.
Mr. Buzogany was born November 14, 1949, in Alliance, OH to the late Michael and Irene Fodor Buzogany. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister, Ethel Francis.
Mr. Buzogany earned a BA in Speech Education and a MA in Radio, Television, and Film from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, OH.
His storied career in the television industry included producing and directing news and sports, but he made a name for himself in television promotions at stations in San Francisco, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Asheville, NC. He was also program director at WLOS-TV, the ABC affiliate in Asheville, and later became Creative Director of Mannheim Advertising in Cleveland, OH.
He entered the field of trade associations and non-profits, becoming the Executive Director of two trade associations for the television industry - NATPE-Net and Broadcast Cable Financial Management. He then founded Buzogany Associates, LLC, a consulting firm serving the non-profit sector. Throughout his career he was creating: notable achievements include The FOX Kids' Club for FOX TV, The Green Procurement Exposition, and McDowell Moves, a county-wide initiative to encourage walking and hiking.
Baseball was a favorite pastime, and the Cleveland Indians were his team. Buz enjoyed staying active by playing tennis, golfing, walking, and hiking in the mountains.
Those left behind to cherish Buz’s memory are his beloved wife of 37 years, Elizabeth “Beth” Caldwell Buzogany; two children, Sarah Buzogany (Tommy Dahlberg) of Baltimore, MD and Charles Buzogany (Paige) of Clayton, NC; four precious grandchildren, Warren Dahlberg, Sybil Dahlberg, Grace Buzogany, and Caroline Buzogany; and three siblings, William Buzogany (Phyllis), Robert Buzogany (Susan), and Barry Buzogany (Marilyn).