PULLMAN, Wash. — Joe Barnes, long-time journalism and communications professional, has been named director of strategic communications and media relations at Washington State University, effective Sept. 17.
“We are very pleased that Joe Barnes has joined the WSU News Bureau team in this important new leadership role,” said Sally Savage, vice president for university relations. “He has extensive experience as a news industry professional and brings a wealth of insight on the state and region.”
In a career spanning nearly 35 years, Barnes most recently served as vice president and news director at KOMO TV (Fisher Broadcasting) in Seattle from 1996 to 2001 where he oversaw a 113-person department.
He also served as vice president and news director at FOX Television in Los Angeles, news director at KPIX and KGO TV in San Francisco, executive producer at WXYZ TV in Detroit, news director at WKBW TV in Buffalo, news reporter, producer at KCRA Radio and TV in Sacramento, and newscaster/reporter for United Press International in New York City.
In addition, Barnes has worked as a news producer, reporter and program host for several other radio and television stations in northern California.
From 1985 to 1996, he was CEO and president of his own media consulting firm, Joseph Barnes and Associates, Inc. in Martinez, Calif., specializing in news media, broadcast media, marketing and leadership development.
A member of the Radio Television News Directors Association, Investigative Reporters and Editors Association and American Women in Radio and Television, Barnes is a frequent keynote address speaker at community events and author of a number of articles for professional trade publications.
He was named Citizen of the Day by Radio Station KABL in San Francisco and is quoted in the late Seattle Schools Superintendent John Stanford’s book, Victory in Our Schools.
A native of San Francisco, Barnes is a 1972 communications graduate of California State University, Sacramento and earned his masters degree in speech at California State University in Hayward in 1975.
He succeeds Hugh Imhof, who left WSU last May to join the Avista Corporation in Spokane as manager of media and information.
