David Strickland is a 40-year broadcast journalist veteran with the last 25 years as a television Vice President and News Director. He is a multi-disciplined journalist with additional experience as a newspaper sports editor, reporter, producer and radio sports color commentator.
David began his career while working toward his degree at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. His first job was during the summer of his freshman year as an announcer and Disc Jockey at KGUS-FM in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Dave was then hired at KSAM/KHUN as a disc jockey and sports color commentator for Huntsville High School football games.
The football commentating opened the door for a sports career. Dave interned at KTRK for legendary sportscaster Bob Allen. After his summer internship, he returned to college and was hired at the Huntsville Morning News as the Assistant Sports Editor. Six months later, he was back in Houston after being hired at KTRK Television as the Sports Producer. He spent the next five years covering every major sporting event from the Olympics to the Super Bowl.
In the late 1980’s, Dave transferred from sports to news. He produced the KTRK morning news before being promoted to Managing Editor of the flagship 6pm news.
In 1994, Dave left Houston and moved into management taking a job as Executive Producer at WAVY Television in Portsmouth, Virginia. A year later he was promoted to News Director. While running the 10 On Your Side news operation, Dave took the station to a dominant #1 market position. A leadership position they still hold more than 25 years later.
In 2000, Dave returned to Houston and KTRK as Vice President and News Director. During the next 15 years, the station’s ratings returned to #1. Dave was the leader of an outstanding news operation anchored by the legendary team of Dave Ward, Gina Gaston, Marvin Zinder, Bob Allen and Ed Brandon. It was an incredible time for news in the wake of 9-11, the war in Iraq, the death of Pope John Paul II and countless hurricanes including Katrina, Ike and tropical storm Allison. The staff was honored with numerous Emmys and national awards for their exceptional work.
Dave left KTRK in 2015. A year later, he was hired to be the News Director at KPRC, the NBC affiliate in Houston. He took a news department mired in 2nd and 3rd place and turned them into a competitive news operation that became #1 in 2022. During his tenure, the station moved into a new building and newsroom. He was also at the helm during Hurricane Harvey, the Astros World Series Championship and the COVID lockdown.
Since leaving broadcasting in 2022, Dave owns his own consulting firm where he helps business leaders understand how media operates. Using his decades of experience, he teaches executives how to craft their corporate messaging for maximum effectiveness. Dave also coaches C-Suite executives and managers from all levels helping them become strong communicators across multiple media platforms.
David has been the recipient of multiple national awards and numerous Emmys. His work has been honored by FBI Director Robert Mueller, CrimeStoppers and Houston Children’s Charity.