Don Shafer

Don Shafer was born in Pittsburgh and is a veteran broadcaster with over 35 years experience. He studied communications at the University of Texas & University of Southern California and served in the US Armed Forces as a cryptologist and communications specialist with the National Security Agency.

Mr. Shafer has had a keen interest in radio and television since his childhood and helped reinvent stations like KNAC, KPPC, CHOM, CHUM/FM, CFOX and Q107. He also pioneered networking and syndication in Canada by creating The Rock Radio Network and the Pelmorex Radio Network (PRN).

Mr. Shafer has worked on and off the air in the US and Canada and has developed programs for ABC, WIC, CHUM Ltd., and CBC. He has programmed and managed various broadcasting properties since 1969 and spent seven years with The Toronto Star learning about newspapers and developing The Stars local cable channel and television production facilities before returning to traditional broadcasting with Standard Radio.

Mr. Shafer joined Standard Radio Inc. in the summer of 2003 to manage Standards 21 radio stations and two television stations in the Interior of British Columbia. Based in Kelowna, Don and his family moved into their new home on Monday and were evacuated five days later due to the Okanagan Park fire. "This was a renaissance" for radio and all the communities affected by the BC forest fires. It was a terrific opportunity to find out what our staff and community are all about."

Don is responsible for developing the BC Interior group of stations that serve small and medium size markets from as far north as Prince Rupert and Ft Nelson to the US border in the Okanagan. While many of these stations are in competitive markets some are stand alone stations and the only "voice" in these isolated communities.

Don enjoys fly fishing, skiing, and time with his family. He is a member of the Variety Club, The City of Kelowna Fire Recovery Fund and the Past President of the Ontario Association of Broadcasters.

Don, 56 lives in Kelowna with his wife Dani and is the father of 5 children, twin daughters Evan & Allyn 12, Paisley 33, Heath 28 and Shalon 25.