Putting together this list every year starts with a nomination, typically from someone who ranks higher in the company than the nominated PD, maybe even the CEO. We go from there, with a questionnaire and a look at ratings, experience, awards, and several other factors. We reach out to programming experts in the industry for input, in all formats and in all market sizes, and we crunch the numbers. Then we crumple them up and crunch them again.

In addition to listing names next to numbers, we put this list together hoping each and every PD who appears will provide you with something to help your career grow. What helped them get to the top spot? What are they doing now to remain successful? How are they positioning their stations in the community? And we can tell you, without a doubt, this year’s PDs have provided us — and you — with a gold mine of ideas. They were extremely open and willing to teach, to pass it on. This is an issue you’ll be hiding from your boss. In fact, we’ll be using some of what these PDs have provided us in several future issues — there was so much, and it was that good.

One of the biggest lessons we learned from the Best Program Directors in America: Do everything in your power to take care of your community. Here are the 2016 Best Program Directors in America.