The News Tribune publisher joins UW Board of Regents

David Zeeck, publisher and president of The News Tribune, has been appointed to the University of Washington’s Board of Regents following the retirement of outgoing regent Herb Simon.

Zeeck’s initial term will run through September of 2023, according to a release from Gov. Jay Inslee’s office.

Simon is leaving after spending 12 years on the board. He first was appointed by former Gov. Christine Gregoire and is part of the way through his third six-year term.

The 10-member Board of Regents governs and regulates the UW system, including its campuses in Seattle and Tacoma.

Inslee, in a prepared statement, said he chose Zeeck because he “understands the importance of increasing access to higher education and improving graduation rates for all students.”

“As a journalist, he's seen first-hand how education strengthens and grows individuals, their families and communities, and he understands that businesses need an educated and trained workforce,” Inslee said. “His community service and unique perspective will make him an outstanding addition to the UW Board of Regents.”

Zeeck has been publisher of The News Tribune since 2008. He is also currently president and publisher of sister McClatchy papers The Olympian and The Bellingham Herald.

Prior to becoming president of The News Tribune, Zeeck served as executive editor at the paper and worked for 20 years as an editor and reporter for The Kansas City Star.

He’s currently the chair of the advisory board for the University of Washington Tacoma.

Simon has long been fixture in Tacoma-area organizations and education circles.

He currently serves on the Tacoma-Pierce County Economic Development Board and has served on the board of Puget Sound Energy and the Board of Directors for the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce.

He also was a member of the Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board.

During Simon’s time on the Board of Regents, UW Tacoma expanded the size and diversity of its programs. Enrollment, for example, shot up 140 percent from 2005 to 2017.

The campus also opened or renovated seven buildings.

“I thank Herb for his long service as regent,” Inslee said in his statement.

Aside from his newspaper work, Zeeck is currently the chair of the advisory board for UW Tacoma and is a a member of the Executive Council for a Greater Tacoma.

He was previously the chair of the Tacoma-Pierce County Economic Development Board.

This story was originally published January 29, 2018 at 1:12 PM with the headline "The News Tribune publisher joins UW Board of Regents."