Bill Roedy

William H. Roedy (born June 13, 1948) is an American business executive, military veteran, global health ambassador, politician, and author. He also ran for Mayor of Miami Beach in the 2023 election.

Roedy joined MTV in 1989 as the CEO and managing director of MTV Europe. In 1994, he became the president of MTV Networks International. By 2007, he was elevated to the position of chairman-CEO of the division and Vice Chairman of MTV Networks. Between 2007 and 2011, Roedy served as the president and chief executive officer (CEO) of MTV International.

Roedy is the founder and chairman of MTV's Staying Alive Foundation. At the age of three, his parents separated, and he was subsequently raised by his single mother in Miami. He chose a military career, attended West Point and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1970. In 1977, he left his military career to attend Harvard Business School and graduated with an MBA degree.

Military career Roedy served in the military from 1970 to 1977, holding the roles of Air Defense Artillery officer and Airborne Ranger. By the conclusion of his service, Roedy had risen to the rank of Captain. From 1983 to 1989, he served as vice president of HBO.

In 2000, following the merger of Viacom with CBS, Roedy, then serving as president of MTV and VH1 International, assumed the role of president at MTV Networks International, overseeing all non-U.S. operations, including the Nickelodeon channel, later adding the Paramount channels.

In 2011, Roedy retired and left MTV Networks as the chairman and CEO of MTV Networks International and vice chairman of MTV Networks. During his tenure, MTV Networks expanded its presence to 162 countries, reaching nearly two billion people with a network of 172 channels that included MTV, Nickelodeon, VH1, VIVA, TMF, Game One, Comedy Central, and Paramount Comedy. The memoir recounted his career progression from military service to the establishment and expansion of MTV, a prominent youth entertainment business, in 165 countries.

Global health leadership In 1998, Roedy assumed the role of the inaugural ambassador for UNAIDS, an initiative established by the United Nations that concentrates on the global combat against HIV/AIDS.

In 2002, Roedy received the Award for Business Excellence from U.S. President Bill Clinton, representing the Global Business Coalition and the International AIDS Trust, in recognition of his exceptional contributions.

In November 2004, Roedy was presented with the International Emmy Founders Award at the 32nd International Emmy Awards.

Political career In June 2023, Roedy announced his candidacy for the position of Mayor of Miami Beach, Florida, as a candidate of the Independent Party of Florida. In addition, he has supported Goldie Hawn with her MindUp initiative, targeting children in primary schools.

Roedy has served on the boards of Westminster College and The American School in London (ASL).

Awards and recognition Roedy has been recognized with several awards throughout his career. In 2002, he received the Award for Business Excellence from U.S. President Bill Clinton. In 2008, Roedy received the Joel A. Berger Award and the Doctors of the World Leadership Award. He was named UNCA Global Citizen of the Year in 2009 and received the ICRW Innovation Award in 2010.

In 2011, Roedy was Inducted into Cable Pioneers. In the same year, he was also awarded the Cinema for Peace Award for his work with the Staying Alive Campaign and received an honorary degree from Westminster College, where he delivered the John Findley Green Foundation Lecture. A year later, he was recognized with the Chello Humanitarian Award. Later, he was inducted into the Cable Hall of Fame in 2015.

Roedy was named a Churchill Fellow in 2017 for his contributions to the National Churchill Museum at Westminster College. In 2019, he received the Playing for Change Legend Award alongside Pharrell Williams for his impact on the music industry.

In 2020, Roedy received the West Point Distinguished Graduate Award. In October 2023, Roedy and his wife Alexandra were honored by the Gift of Life Marrow Registry at their annual Gala for their contributions to the organization. In June 2024, the American Churchill Museum honored Roedy with the Winston Churchill Leadership Medal Award in London.

In 2026, the United States Military Academy dedicated the second-floor rotunda of the Jefferson Hall Library and Learning Center as the Roedy Rotunda, honoring William H. Roedy's military service, media career, and contributions to global health. The rotunda was named in honor of Roedy and in memory of his father, Colonel William H. Roedy Sr. '40, a veteran of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam who received the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star. According to the West Point Association of Graduates, the rotunda was established as a permanent forum for intellectual exchange and leadership development for cadets.

At the naming ceremony, West Point Superintendent Lt. Gen. Steven W. Gilland said, "Bill sees service as a moral duty, and he is a rare person who has made a difference in the world." He also described the Roedy family's support of West Point as "a statement of belief in West Point’s mission."