mikemcguff.com: KHOU 11's Lisa Trapani Shumate to head KUHT, KUHF and KUHA

The big news today is the announcement that Lisa Trapani Shumate is now executive director and general manager of Houston Public Media. In more simpler terms, that means she is in charge of KUHT 8 PBS, 88.7 KUHF NPR and classical station 91.7 KUHA. As you may know, Shumate has been director of programming and marketing at KHOU 11. You have probably seen quotes from her here on this very blog in this capacity. Before that she was at KTRK 13 over the marketing department (prior to that she was an Eyewitness News anchor and host of Good Morning Houston with Don Nelson). In full disclosure, KTRK is where I first got to know Shumate. She was great to work with and did some big things for the station.

Here is the release from the University of Houston:

Lisa Trapani Shumate, an Emmy Award-winning veteran of the television industry who has been a member of management with both CBS affiliate KHOU and KTRK/TV/ABC 13, has been named executive director and general manager of Houston Public Media.

Houston Public Media encompasses the combined operations of public radio stations KUHF-FM and KUHA-FM, and public television station KUHT. Located in the Melcher Center for Public Broadcasting on the University of Houston campus, Houston Public Media has an annual budget of $25 million and 165 staff members, and 65,000 individual member/contributors.

“Leading Houston Public Media is an opportunity I find both challenging and rewarding,” Shumate said. “The newly merged entity is poised for growth and the ability to contribute more to the University of Houston, as well as the Houston community.”

Shumate will report to the University of Houston Provost/Senior Vice President John Antel.

“We are so pleased to have an individual of Lisa's caliber in this important new role,” Antel said. “Her passion, experience, vision and determination to lead Houston Public Media to financial health and greater stature make her an exceptional choice for this position. I commend the search committee for its fine work.”

Shumate is the director of programming and marketing for KHOU-TV, CBS-BELO in Houston, where she oversees 30 full-time employees and three revenue-generating departments. She oversees the production of 26.5 hours of local programming each week on KHOU. Previously, she was the executive director of Belo Marketing Solutions in Dallas, where she was in charge of statewide multi-platform sales and marketing that generated $6.7 million.

During her 11 years with KTRK, she moved from being an anchor, host and producer to become manager of marketing and special projects. She negotiated KTRK’s first multi-year, multi-million dollar broadcast rights deal with the Houston Texans. She received the 2010 American Marketing Association Marketer of the Year, media, award for “Great Day Houston.” And, she received a 2010 Lone Star Regional Emmy, community service, for “Star of Hope for the Holidays.”

In the Houston community, Shumate has been an active member of the Greater Houston Partnership and is a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board and the Baylor College of Medicine Campaign Cabinet. She holds an undergraduate degree in communications from Loyola University in New Orleans.

“The relationship and contacts I have built in the last 20 years go beyond liaison to the very heart of how one person can make a difference by getting the right people involved and working toward a mutual goal,” Shumate said. “There are significant challenges facing all broadcasters – TV, radio, commercial and non-profit. The old ways of thinking and doing business are no longer effective. I am confident I can infuse the insight, energy, leadership and experience necessary to take Houston Public Media to increased audience and funding levels.”

As executive director and general manager of Houston Public Media, Shumate will be responsible for the development and implementation of effective strategic and tactical planning in coordination with University of Houston executive management; oversight and direction of electronic media programming, services and operations; ensuring sound fiscal planning, financial management and fund development; serving as primary liaison for the merged organization within/outside the University community and with the greater Houston area, the Association for Community Broadcasting, the Federal Communication Commission, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and other related professional and community groups.

Additional responsibilities will include: managing, directly or through station managers, the personnel, departments, activities and finances associated with media operations and distribution, fund development, membership, underwriting, marketing, engineering, programming and production; analyzing, developing and implementing an optimal Houston Public Media organizational structure for efficient use of existing and future resources; regular monitoring of industry trends, technologies and the Houston media market; compliance with relevant government and licensee regulations and university policies/procedures.