Tripp Sommer
KLCC News Director (retired)
Professional Bio
“Tripp’s tireless commitment to public radio journalism is truly an inspiration,” said PRNDI President George Bodarky. “Tripp helped grow and strengthen PRNDI during his 6 years as the organization’s president. He is a dedicated and passionate leader and teacher, and we are delighted to present him with the 2014 Leo C. Lee award,” added Bodarky.
Sommer attended his first PRNDI conference in 1989, when it was still known as the Public Radio News Directors Association. Within a year, he was elected president and served in that office until 1996. During this 25 year affiliation with PRNDI, Sommer has attended all but two annual conferences.
Among his achievements was “The PRNDI Project.” The collaborative effort helped mid-level reporters develop advanced skills through the production of a nationally distributed program. “We didn’t just want to talk about radio at a conference, we wanted to do radio,” said Sommer. During his tenure, PRNDI also assisted in the launch of the “Youth Radio” project.
As PRNDI president, Sommer convened a summit that authored “Independence and Integrity: The Guidebook for Public Radio Journalism.” Among the collaborators was 2013 Leo C. Lee Award winner John Dinges, formerly of NPR. It was also the beginning of PRNDI’s strong partnership with the Poynter Institute. “One of the primary purposes of PRNDI was bridging the gap of communication between news directors and freelancers on one side, and the network on the other,” said Sommer.
Sommer assisted in the incorporation of PRNDI and his board was the first to hire permanent, professional support staff. The initial employee was Debbie Elliott, now a reporter for NPR. He still serves occasionally as PRNDI’s unofficial historian, authoring a history that’s posted on the PRNDI website. Sommer also helped update the organization’s Code of Ethics.
Sommer attended his first PRNDI conference in 1989, when it was still known as the Public Radio News Directors Association. Within a year, he was elected president and served in that office until 1996. During this 25 year affiliation with PRNDI, Sommer has attended all but two annual conferences.
Among his achievements was “The PRNDI Project.” The collaborative effort helped mid-level reporters develop advanced skills through the production of a nationally distributed program. “We didn’t just want to talk about radio at a conference, we wanted to do radio,” said Sommer. During his tenure, PRNDI also assisted in the launch of the “Youth Radio” project.
As PRNDI president, Sommer convened a summit that authored “Independence and Integrity: The Guidebook for Public Radio Journalism.” Among the collaborators was 2013 Leo C. Lee Award winner John Dinges, formerly of NPR. It was also the beginning of PRNDI’s strong partnership with the Poynter Institute. “One of the primary purposes of PRNDI was bridging the gap of communication between news directors and freelancers on one side, and the network on the other,” said Sommer.
Sommer assisted in the incorporation of PRNDI and his board was the first to hire permanent, professional support staff. The initial employee was Debbie Elliott, now a reporter for NPR. He still serves occasionally as PRNDI’s unofficial historian, authoring a history that’s posted on the PRNDI website. Sommer also helped update the organization’s Code of Ethics.
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