The Iowa Broadcasters Association has named Paul Fredericksen, President/General Manager of KCCI-TV in Des Moines, as recipient of its 2003 Iowa Broadcaster of the Year award.

Nominated for his “integrity, sense of community and strong work ethic” Paul Fredericksen has had a remarkable 30-year career at KCCI-TV as an industry and community leader. He has served the station as General Manager for the past 17 years and in 1999 when the station was acquired by Hearst-Argyle Television of New York, was promoted to the position of President and General Manager of the group’s Iowa subsidiary. Under his leadership KCCI-TV has become one of the top television stations in Central Iowa and one of the strongest CBS affiliates in the country. His commitment to public service and local news has garnered the station numerous awards, including most recently the “Best Newscast” and “Overall Excellence,” the two most prestigious awards from both the Associated Press and the Iowa Broadcast News Association. In addition, KCCI-TV is also the recipient of the 2003 Radio and Television News Director’s regional “Edward R. Murrow award for Overall Excellence.”

A native of Newell, Iowa and graduate of Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Paul serves as a member of the Buena Vista Board of Trustees. He has served the Des Moines community on numerous committees and boards of directors including the Partnership for a Drug Free Iowa; the Golden Circle Business Center and the board of Iowa Public Television. He has served two terms on the CBS Affiliates Advisory Board and is the recipient of the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Humanitarian Award.

The Iowa Broadcaster of the Year award is presented annually to an Iowa radio or television station manager, who has provided exceptional leadership to their station and service to their community.