For over 50 years, Richard Fairbanks of Indianapolis was a leader and innovator in radio broadcasting. His company owned and operated 20 radio stations around the country, a television station in Atlanta, cable television systems, a charter airplane company, and had interests in real estate. Fairbanks established the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network when he owned and operated WIBC radio. He was very involved with professional, civic and cultural organizations and served on many boards including Butler University, Better Business Bureau, United Way of Central Indiana, and the Indianapolis Museum of Art. He was also a director of Merchants National Bank for 20 years. The Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, established in 1986, has been a benefactor of the Indiana Broadcast Pioneers. Fairbanks died in 2000.