Andy Ludlum is now enjoying life and wide variety of activities as a retired journalist. He helped people tell compelling stories on radio and television for over 40 years. He’s considered an accomplished leader in all news, news talk and sports programming with ratings success in major markets. His focus has been on building strong stations with a creative, innovative, local programming style using strategic partnerships. He’s respected as a talent coach, trainer and team builder.
Andy started in radio in the 1970’s as a traffic reporter in San Jose, CA. Over the years, he’s been an editor, news reporter and anchor before concentrating on managing news, talk and sports programming on radio and television.
He’s programmed legendary radio stations in Los Angeles, Seattle and Kansas City. Andy’s radio and television stations have been recognized for excellence in news and sports broadcasting receiving three national RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Awards for Overall Excellence, local Emmys and Golden Mikes from the Radio Television News Association of Southern California.
Andy’s had the opportunity to tell stories from all over the world and cover some exceptional events, from the 1981 assassination of Anwar Sadat in Egypt, to the economic emergence of China and the rebirth of democracy in the former Soviet Union. While working in Washington State he covered the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens.
In 2012, the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists honored Andy as a Distinguished Journalist for Radio.
In Seattle, he was Vice President of All News Operations for KIRO-TV and Program Director of KIRO AM and FM. After coming to Los Angeles in 1985, Andy was Program Director of the legendary talk station KABC and its sister station KMPC. After leaving ABC, Andy spent the next 16 years with CBS, Los Angeles serving as Director of News Programming for two pioneering all news stations, KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO and KFWB NEWS 980.
Over his career, he’s managed broadcast operations and regional networks for eleven professional and major college sports teams including the Oakland A’s, Kansas City Royals, University of Kansas, University of Missouri, Seattle Supersonics, Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Mariners, University of Washington, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Andy and his wife Rodi live in Oak Park in Ventura County. They have two grown daughters and two grandchildren.
Andy served for two years on the Ventura County Grand Jury, one as foreperson. He’s a volunteer Ventura County disaster worker in emergency radio communications. He also volunteers in the Research Library at the Museum of Ventura County.