John S. Hendricks

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Hendricks JohnJohn S. Hendricks - USOC Board Member

John S. Hendricks is the Founder and Chairman of Discovery Communications, the No.1nonfiction media company. Hendricks created Discovery Channel in 1982 as the first cable network in the United States designed to provide high quality documentary programming enabling people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity.


Hendricks has been the driving force behind Discovery's dramatic growth, including the expansion of Discovery Communications from its core property, Discovery Channel, to current global operations in more than 170 countries and territories with more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers. Under Hendricks' leadership, Discovery's stable of networks now encompass more than 100 networks of distinctive programming representing 29 entertainment brands including
TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel and HD Theater. Discovery's other properties include Discovery Education and Discovery Commerce.


A visionary in the media industry, Hendricks has been honored with a Primetime Emmy Award
and with the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences highest honor, the Governors Award, for
conceiving the TLC series, Great Books. The Ark Trust named him a recipient of the Genesis
Award for lifetime achievement for his efforts in raising awareness around the globe about
animal issues. Hendricks has also been recognized as the first corporate leader to receive the
National Education Association's Friend of Education award for "innovations in education and
technology and greatly expanding educational opportunity for America's schoolchildren."


Hendricks serves on the board of directors of a number of non-profit organizations including the
United States Olympic Committee and the National Forest Foundation.


Before 1982, Hendricks founded and served as president of the American Association of
University Consultants (AAUC), a private consulting organization that specialized in television
distribution, marketing and fundraising for educational programs and services. Hendricks holds
a B.A. in history (magna cum laude, 1974) and an honorary doctorate (1991) from the University
of Alabama, Huntsville.