February PubTalk Features Two Outstanding Local Entrepreneurs
February 19, 2008
February PubTalk keynote speaker is Keith Shipman, President and Chief Operating Officer of Horizon Broadcasting Group since 2003, the company he co-founded in 1999. Shipman has cre-ated a successful privately-held media company that encompasses 12 radio stations in Bend, Boise, and Twin Falls, ID and a minor league baseball team. His experience in commercial broadcasting spans thirty years. PubTalk is Thursday, February 21st, 5:00 to 7:30 pm, at McMenamins Old St. Francis School, in Father Luke’s Foundation Room, 720 Bond Street, Bend.
Prior to becoming a radio executive, Shipman worked in Seattle TV and radio broadcasting for over 17 years. His credentials include 13 years at KCPQ (FOX) as the Sports and Public Affairs Director, as well as KOMO and KIRO, two of Seattle’s major AM radio stations. Shipman helped launch the Pacific Northwest's first all-sports radio station (KJR-AM in Seattle), was awarded three regional Emmy Awards, and was selected as Washington State’s Sportscaster of the Year on three occasions. For five years, Shipman served on the board of directors for the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.
Shipman is as serious about community involvement as he is sports. He's past chair of the Board of Governors for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Oregon, serves on the Board for the regional organizations of United Way, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Deschutes Children's Foundation. He presently serves on the Professional Advisory Board for the Edward R. Murrow School of Communications at his alma mater, Washington State University.
For the PubTalk audience, Shipman brings insight to Central Oregon's changing needs and will share the challenges and rewards of operating a company in a media market that's still pre-dominantly locally-owned.
PubTalk early stage presenter is Larry Snyder, President and CEO of High Desert Bank -- the only new bank in Bend in over 30 years. Snyder will share his two-year journey to create a new bank, from defining its market niche to developing its state charter to capitalizing the institution. Along the way, Snyder made an important business decision to partner with back-end specialist, Capitol Bancorp, which provides critical but transparent services to the new bank.
Snyder has been in the banking business for 31 years in three states. Originally from Colorado, he lived in Alaska for 21 years and Arizona before moving to Bend eight years ago. Locally, he was business banking team leader for Sterling Savings for six years before starting High Desert Bank.
Like Shipman, Snyder is an avid sports fan and every bit as involved in community outreach. He is the Chairman of the Board of the Boys and Girls Club of Bend, and a Board and Loan Commit-tee Member of the Oregon Business Development Corporation.
About PubTalk
Central Oregon PubTalk is presented by Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) in partnership with Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN) and underwritten by title sponsors Ball Janik LLP and Community First Bank. Cost to EDCO and OEN members is $15 and $25 to the general public. To register for the event, please visit www.edcoinfo.com or contact pubtalk@edcoinfo.com.
PubTalk is a monthly event celebrating the spirit of entrepreneurship in Central Oregon and strives to provide a unique forum where leaders of growing businesses can network with qualified funding sources, fellow entrepreneurs, key advisors, and business professionals. Early stage presenters share ideas, experiences and strategies for the review of other businesses, angel investors, and EDCO/OEN members.
About EDCO (www.edcoinfo.com)
Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) is a private, non-profit membership organization dedicated to building a strong and secure economic future for Central Oregon. EDCO has co-sponsored the popular PubTalk events since 2002 as part of its mission to cultivate a strong entrepreneurial community in Central Oregon.