Fisco wins Distinguished Service Award

Alan Fisco

The Inland Press Foundation has named Alan Fisco, an executive with long experience at The Seattle Times Company, the winner of the 2023 Inland Foundation Distinguished Service Award.

Fisco received the award at the annual meeting of America’s Newspapers on Oct. 9 in Chicago.

This year marks the 32^nd year that the award has been presented. The award recognizes the contributions of newspaper industry leaders and executives. The award criteria honors individuals “who have distinguished themselves in service to the foundation, to their communities, their companies, and the industry. These individuals deserve the recognition of their peers and colleagues.”

Fisco is president and chief financial officer providing oversight and leadership of The Seattle Times’ executive team, while overseeing all business functions.  He is also responsible for The Seattle Times’ affiliate newspapers, the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin and the Yakima Herald-Republic.

Fisco celebrated his 30th anniversary with The Seattle Times in early 2022. He joined the company as the single copy sales manager in 1992 and has held multiple leadership positions, including vice president of circulation and marketing. In 2013, Fisco was promoted to senior vice president and in 2016, he was named executive vice president and chief financial officer.

Seattle Times Publisher Frank Blethen said, “In my 38 years as publisher of The Seattle Times, Alan is far and away the best executive partner I ever worked with. His financial acumen, audience knowledge and people skills are outstanding, and he’s the primary reason.”

Blethen added, “The Seattle Times has been so innovative in these challenging times. His advocacy for public policy to stabilize and save our free press is amazing. The newspaper industry has benefited immensely from Alan’s experience and dedication.”

Fisco currently serves as the vice-president of America’s Newspapers Foundation board. He is also past president of the America’s Newspapers board after serving on the board of the Inland Press Association.

Inland Foundation President Joyce McCullough said, “Alan has been a friend and champion of our organization. First serving on the Inland Press Association board where I met him, now as vice president of the AN board.” She added, “He’s an innovative thinker, a tireless worker and one of the most positive people I know. He is truly deserving of the Inland Distinguished Service Award.”

Fisco is a board member of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Ambassador Board for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound, where he previously served as board chair and treasurer. Fisco has a B.A. in economics from the University of Washington.

Alan has two sons and three grandchildren.  He and his wife Lisa love to be on the waters of Puget Sound, having been avid boaters for years.

The Inland Press Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit incorporated in Illinois. Over the last 40 years, the foundation has played a prominent and active role in organizing and funding programs to provide research and educational services to the American newspaper industry, with a special focus on independent and family-owned newspapers.