The Kirkland Reporter said goodbye to publisher Renee Walden a few weeks ago. Walden was publisher of the Kirkland, Redmond and Bothell/Kenmore Reporter newspapers. She became an important part of the community and our newsroom. We at the Reporter will miss her. Anyone who knows Renee can attest to her infectious energy and her ability to turn the darkest moment light – something that is needed in a newsroom. She has moved on to become a financial advisor and be closer to her family in West Seattle and we all wish her the best. The change has been difficult for our staff, as Renee was not only our boss but a trusted friend.
However, easing that change for us is the knowledge that William Shaw will replace Walden as our publisher. Shaw has been with the company since before the start of the Reporter Newspapers group. He is not only respected for his abilities to lead the advertising side but takes the time to understand the newsroom and keeps each side separate. Shaw has been a publisher since 2008.
“Three of the four sides of my family each have 100 years of history on the Eastside,” Shaw said. “And I’m pleased and honored to be able to tell the continuing story of the dynamic cities where many generations of my family lived, worked, raised their families and built and served the community.”
Shaw grew up in Bellevue and is a University of Washington graduate. Living in Issaquah for 30 years, Shaw and his wife Mary Beth Haggerty-Shaw, have two children, Liam and Mora, who are graduates of Central Washington University and Western Washington University.
Each November, he and his family also spearhead a statewide Drowsy Driving Awareness and Prevention campaign, which has garnered both regional and national media coverage.
Shaw is also a true to his heritage. In 2002, Shaw was granted the Name, Arms and Territorial Designation as the Shaw of Easter Lair in the Scottish Court of the Lord Lyon, King of Arms for Scotland. He is the senior representer of his clan sept in Glenshee and Glenisla, Scotland, and is active on a global basis for the Highland Scottish Clan Shaw and the Clan Chattan.
Shaw also serves on the Board of Directors of the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce and is an active member of the Bellevue, Snoqualmie, and Mercer Island Chambers as well as the Bellevue and Issaquah Downtown Associations. Shaw is also a member of Lodge Alba No. 315 in Seattle and formerly served on the Issaquah Sister Cities Commission.
Shaw has a great interest in nonprofits and organizations that strive to help the community.
We are excited to move forward with Shaw and the future of not only our publications but telling the stories that matter in our communities.
Matt Phelps is the regional editor for the Kirkland and Bothell/Kenmore Reporter newspapers.
