Robert B. McConnell served as General Manager of WISH-TV, Indianapolis, from its inception in 1954 until he retired in 1980. He came to WISH Radio in 1942 before entering the Navy. He returned in 1945 and five years later became vice president and general manager of Universal Broadcasting, parent company of WISH, WHBU in Anderson, and WANE in Fort Wayne. He retired from WISH in 1980 but remained president of Anderson Broadcasting Corporation, a post he held from 1975 to 1986.
During his career he served as President of the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, the 500 Festival, Crossroads Rehabilitation Center, St. Vincent Hospital Advisory Board, the Indiana Broadcasters Association, the Columbia Club, and the Country Club of Indianapolis. He served as a director of the Indiana State Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, the United Way of Central Indiana, and the National Association of Broadcasters.
McConnell died May 20, 2012, at the age of 91.