THE KOBI TEAM – A SALUTE TO A LEADER

Yesterday, August 1st, was the official 60 year anniversary of locally owned KOBI television in Southern Oregon. Congratulations. If you haven’t noticed, locally owned businesses are a vanishing breed.

I first met owner Patsy Smullin when I arrived in the area looking for a job to supplement my life as a B&B owner in Jacksonville. While I didn’t take a KOBI job, over the years, I’ve become a big fan of everyone on the KOBI team. Bob, Mike, Pete, Scott, Judy, Donna, Connie, Alicia, Jeff, I simply couldn’t mention all the quality people I have had the pleasure of working with in thirty years. Some left KOBI and are now respected competitors.

The most impressive thing about Patsy is her personal and honest commitment to serving viewers (the customer). Dealing with change has also impressed me. Pasty is working in a world that looks far different from when her dad, William B, started KOBI in 1953. Patsy didn’t seek a leadership role in the family business. But like most great people, when asked to serve, she responded with vision and leadership (and I am sure personal sacrifices).

If you read my blog, you know that the future of local broadcast is far from certain. It will take Powershift Marketing – embracing change and staying ahead of customers – if KOBI is to celebrate future milestones as a locally owned business. I believe Patsy and her team are up to the challenge!