Norm Ohashi, left, works behind the scenes during a filming of Civic Cocktail. After a long and successful career doing almost every job possible in television, Senior Producer Norm Ohashi retired from the Seattle Channel in March. He’ll be remembered for his breadth and depth of knowledge and experience in local television, but what we’ll miss the most is his fantastic sense of humor and exuberant laugh!
Before joining Seattle Channel as a senior producer in 2016, Ohashi had a 34-year career at KING-TV as a writer, producer, editor, and finally, as an executive producer, where he managed a huge newsroom and daily newscasts.
“We hit the jackpot when Norm joined our team,” said Shannon Gee, Seattle Channel’s general manager. “We were lucky to have him rounding out his distinguished career with us at the Channel.”
Pictured clockwise from top left: Randy Eng, Ian Devier, Shannon Gee, Peggy Lycett, Norm Ohashi, Susan Han, and Brian Callanan.
Seattle Channel videographer and producer Randy Eng worked with Ohashi at KING and remembers first meeting the hard-working producer. “I was always (notoriously) late delivering my stories for the 5 p.m. news,” recalls Eng. Apparently, if you didn’t get your story in 15 minutes ahead of the newscast you had to go to Ohashi for a ‘hall pass.’ “I know I exceeded my limit of hall passes over the years,” said Eng. “Despite the stress I caused, Norm always sought me out after the news to tell me my work was worth the wait.”
This kind of mentorship was Ohashi’s superpower. “I’ve had many mentors in my career, but Norm taught me something different, something special,” said Ed Escalona, Seattle Channel’s Production Manager. “He taught me the importance of the compliment, how to be supportive, and to always build relationships with colleagues with respect and honesty. Norm made me a better person, a better manager, and I can’t thank him enough for that.”
The praise doesn’t just come from inside the workplace, though. Ohashi received more Northwest Regional Emmy nominations than we can count, and at least six Emmy awards, so far. Ohashi brought his producing chops to CityStream, Seattle University Conversations, Citizen University TV, the Video Voters’ Guide, and more.
“Norm is just one of the warmest, kindest colleagues I’ve ever had the pleasure of working alongside,” said Pam Dotson, acting operations manager at the Channel, “only matched by his wit and fantastic sense of humor!”
For Tyler Sipe, a multimedia producer at the Seattle Channel, Ohashi was a force, setting a high bar for journalistic excellence and integrity.
“Norm elevated storytelling at the Seattle Channel with his objective lens, commitment to accuracy, and passion for helping each of us do our best work,” Sipe said. “Our city is better because of him.”
We wish you the best in your well-deserved retirement, Norm!
