Sanford School of Public Policy
Duke University

John Ford (AB '74), President and General Manager, Discovery Channel, Silver Spring, MD

Ford was appointed president and general manager of Discovery Channel in November 2007.  He is responsible for the creative and business strategies and management for the largest cable network in the U.S.; his oversight includes programming, production, marketing, communications, digital media, and research.  Ford had been president and general manager of Discovery Times Channel and Military Channel since September 2007, where he oversaw management and operations for both networks. Ford’s career spans more than 30 years in media, including senior executive positions at Discovery Communications, National Geographic Channel (NGC) and public television.

During his tenure as president and general manager of TLC, the network’s primetime ratings increased 800 percent and its programming garnered 16 CableAce Awards, the Board of Governors' Creator's Award, the Golden ACE, two national Emmy® Awards, and two Peabody Awards.  He is a member of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and serves on the board of advisors for the New York Film/TV Festival. Ford studied history at Duke before earning a master’s degree in public affairs from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, Austin. He and his wife Margaret have two children, Margaret and Colin.

Class on the Sanford Building Lawn