Harold Crump

Harold Crump began his career in the television industry in 1956, handling local sales for WTVF-TV – the Nashville CBS affiliate. He quickly moved up the management ranks to serve simultaneously as Executive Vice President and General Manager of the station and of 21st Century Productions, producing popular syndicated shows such as Candid Camera, and Hee Haw.
While General Manager of the station, he met 19 year old Oprah Winfrey at Tennessee State U. Harold gave her an internship, sent her to a TV coach and put her on the air as the weekend co-anchor of the Nashville CBS Weekend News. His unerring eye for talent served him well at his next stop: Houston, TX where he ran KPRC-TV, the NBC affiliate. Harold spotted a young Paula Zahn reporting in the San Diego market. He brought her to Houston to anchor the 6:00pm newscast.
Harold then moved into station group management, serving as President of H & C Communications, responsible for running six major market television stations. In 1986, Harold started Crump Communications which owned and operated WCSE-TV in Charleston, SC.
It was during Harold’s ownership of WCSE that Charleston was struck, and decimated, by Hurricane Hugo. For twelve days, Harold had the station run non-stop emergency coverage, for which the station was honored with every major national television award including Peabody, George Polk and Headliner awards.
In 1990, Harold was enticed to move to the frozen north, accepting a position as President and GM, KSTP-TV. He now serves as Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc.
Harold has been a leader not only in our industry, but in our community, as well. He serves on the national board of the Muscular Dystrophy Association and has been intimately involved in their local and national telethons for 21 years. He has chaired station affiliates committees, served on a Presidential Advisory Committee, and has held board positions for a wide variety of civic, social service and professional organizations. Harold currently serves both as our National Trustee, and as an Chairman’s Appointee to the Executive Committee of the National Television Academy.
Harold, and his wife, Leigh, make their home in St. Paul. Harold is a “northerner” by residence, but still a fan of his alma mater, Ol’ Miss.