Wash. State Broadcasters Name Shipman President

On Jan. 1, 2016, Keith Shipman will become the president-CEO of the Washington State Association of Broadcasters, succeeding Mark Allen who is retiring.

“Keith is exactly the person we were looking for to carry on WSAB’s tradition of excellent service to Washington’s radio and television stations that Mark Allen has provided over the past 25 years,” said Andy Skotdal, chairman of the WSAB board of directors. “We’re thrilled that Keith will become only the seventh CEO in WSAB’s 80 year history.”

Shipman has an extensive history in the broadcasting industry in Washington and Oregon. He began his broadcasting career in high school as an on-air personality at KPUG-AM Bellingham in 1978.  Upon graduating from Washington State University’s Edward R. Murrow School of Communication in1983, Shipman embarked on 17 years in Seattle broadcasting.

In 1999, Shipman co-founded Horizon Broadcasting Group of Bend, Ore., and helped create a stable of 12 radio stations and has overseen the daily administration of that Central Oregon radio cluster since the company began operating in 2000. He will continue in his role as president-CEO of HBG.

Shipman has served on the Oregon Association of Broadcasters board of directors and just finished his term as the chairman of the OAB Board.  He also serves on the professional advisory board of the Murrow College and was inducted into the Murrow College’s Hall of Achievement in 2009.

Shipman will begin his duties with the Association on Dec. 1 to work jointly with Allen, taking over the reins of the association on Jan. 1.

Allen was president of WSAB for 25 years, which was preceded by seven years as assistant to the president-general counsel.