Alan Fisco, president and chief executive officer of The Seattle Times, was honored with the Frank W. Mayborn Leadership Award on Wednesday during the Senior Leadership Conference of America’s Newspapers.
In presenting the award, Pat Dorsey, chair of America’s Newspapers and publisher of The Santa Fe New Mexican, said: “Alan embodies the legacy of Frank Mayborn and what this leadership award is all about. He leads locally with The Seattle Times to ensure his community is best served by its local newspaper, including setting a groundbreaking path with philanthropically funded journalism. He has led America’s Newspapers and now the America’s Newspapers Foundation to help support our industry and navigate difficult environments, including playing a key role in all our legislative advocacy efforts. Most of all, he is a true gentleman, always willing to assist or provide meaningful thoughts and opinions on the opportunities we face and ways to create success.”
Fisco joined The Seattle Times in 1992. He has held multiple positions at The Seattle Times during his tenure. In January, his role as president of the newspaper was expanded to chief executive officer as well, overseeing all business functions, as well as the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin and the Yakima Herald-Republic. He has a B.A. in economics from the University of Washington.
This year, The Seattle Times celebrated its 130th anniversary and in a column to readers, Fisco reflected on this milestone. He noted that he has spent his entire career in this industry, saying he can’t imagine a greater privilege than serving in his role at The Seattle Times. “Throughout my career,” he wrote, “I’ve believed that strong local journalism helps build stronger communities. It informs our citizens, holds institutions accountable, celebrates our successes and, at its best, brings people together around the issues that matter most.”
He wrote about how the paper has had the honor of documenting the history of the region while playing a role in helping shape it. He wrote: “We’ve covered triumphs and tragedies, celebrated remarkable people and helped our communities better understand a rapidly changing world. Through every era, our mission has remained remarkably consistent: to provide independent, trustworthy journalism that serves our community.”
He cited the fact that the paper remains locally owned by the Blethen family, now in its fifth generation of stewardship — something that is increasingly rare in American journalism. Along the way, the Times has earned Pulitzer Prizes recognizing excellence in public service, investigative reporting and storytelling. The staff of The Seattle Times also was a finalist in the Breaking News Reporting category this year.
Dorsey said Fisco’s passion for local journalism has benefited America’s Newspapers and the industry as a whole, through his service on the America’s Newspapers legislative committee and his efforts to advocate at both the state and national level on behalf of newspapers. He noted that the presentation of the Mayborn Leadership Award even had to move from the traditional Tuesday awards luncheon to Wednesday because Fisco was on Capitol Hill Tuesday as part of this year’s Legislative Fly-In.
Here’s what a few of Fisco’s colleagues with America’s Newspapers and the Foundation had to say in reaction to his selection for this year’s honor.
Judi Terzotis, CEO of Georges Media, said: “When I think about the impact America’s Newspapers has had on our industry, I can’t help but think of Alan Fisco. From the very beginning, when Inland and SNPA came together to create the organization, Alan has been at the center of it, doing the hard work, bringing people together and helping build an organization that our industry relies on today.”
She said: “I’ve also had the privilege of knowing Alan personally and learning from him over the years. He is one of those rare people in our business I know I can call or email with a question, an idea or a challenge, and he will always make time. He doesn’t just share his knowledge; he genuinely wants to help you succeed. I have personally benefited from his generosity, his perspective and his friendship, and I know countless others across our industry would say the same.”
She said: “Alan is a tireless champion for the press. At The Seattle Times, he helped pioneer a model for philanthropic support of journalism that has become a roadmap for hundreds of news organizations across the country, including many of us who have learned from and built upon that work.”
She said, “For all he has accomplished, though, what I admire most about Alan is the person he is. He is generous, approachable, thoughtful and always willing to help. Our industry is stronger because of his leadership, and many of us are better at what we do because Alan was willing to share what he learned along the way.
“I can’t think of anyone more deserving of the Frank Mayborn Award. I’m incredibly proud to call Alan both a colleague and a friend. Congratulations, Alan.”
Chris Reen, president and CEO of Clarity Media Group, said: “There is no better person to win the Frank W. Mayborn Leadership Award than Alan Fisco. Not only does he do a tremendous job as the tireless leader of The Seattle Times, but he has also spent his entire career advocating, supporting and fighting for the newspaper industry and our employees. He’s a tremendous leader, a strong innovator and an ardent defender of the First Amendment. And perhaps just as importantly, he’s a humble servant, a good friend and a true partner to so many of us.”
Francis Wick, who serves with Alan on the legislative committee, said: “Alan Fisco is one of the most gracious and dedicated leaders in the newspaper industry today. His devotion to The Seattle Times, the Blethen family, America’s Newspapers and overall ecosystem is truly unmatched. There isn’t a time when called upon that he doesn’t step up with both his time and resources to move along industry-wide agendas.
“We are all privileged to have his mind and his heart committed to strengthening journalism and the business that supports it. He is someone I admire, am inspired by and am honored to call a friend.”
And, Jeremy Gulban, CEO of CherryRoad Media, said: “Congratulations Alan on receiving this award. You deserve it. Thank you for all you have done in advocating for our industry’s interests over the past several years and the countless cross-country trips to Washington, D.C.”
