David Shuster Named Anchor Of '1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE'

David Shuster has been named anchor of MSNBC's "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue," effective immediately. The announcement was made today by MSNBC President Phil Griffin. "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue," a fast-paced look at the latest breaking news from Washington and the Obama transition, is broadcast live weekdays from 6-7 p.m. ET on MSNBC.

"David's been our number one utility player, filling in during primetime and breaking news coverage and he's shown that he deserves his own program," said MSNBC President Phil Griffin. "He brings passion and in-depth knowledge of Washington, which is a great resource as we lead viewers through this incredibly exciting time."

"After six years working with MSNBC primetime, I'm humbled by the opportunity to host my own show, and honored to join a line-up that includes Chris, Keith, and Rachel," said Shuster. "As I transition into my own show, I'm particularly grateful to Chris for his support and encouragement during my years at 'Hardball' and now. I'm thrilled to get to work."

In addition to anchoring "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue," Shuster will continue to anchor breaking news coverage and report during the day on MSNBC.

Shuster is an Emmy award-winning journalist with more than 16 years experience covering the nation's capital. He joined MSNBC in 2002.

In 2008, Shuster anchored MSNBC's 4pm ET broadcast and served as regular back-up host for "Hardball with Chris Matthews," "Countdown with Keith Olbermann," and "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue." Shuster has anchored the network's breaking news coverage, including reports on the Mumbai terror attacks and nine straight hours of live coverage of Hurricane Ike as the storm came ashore and threatened Houston.

From 2002-2008, Shuster's primary responsibility at MSNBC had been correspondent for "Hardball." Shuster filed more than 700 taped stories for MSNBC's premiere Washington show, leading "Hardball's" reporting on everything from campaign politics to the CIA leak investigation to Hurricane Katrina. Shuster has also reported for "NBC Nightly News" and "Today" and has traveled extensively for NBC News and MSNBC. He reported live from Doha, Qatar at the start of the Iraq war; Baghdad, Iraq during Iraq's first elections; Rome, Italy during the convocation of the new Pope; and Biloxi, Mississippi as the eye of Hurricane Katrina passed overhead.

In August 2006, Shuster won the prestigious "Bugle Award" by the "Disabled American Veterans." Shuster was honored for his extensive coverage of the 2005 National Disabled American Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in Aspen, Colorado, including an hour long special that aired on MSNBC.

From 1996 - 2002, Shuster was a Washington, D.C. based correspondent for the Fox News Channel. He was at the Pentagon on 9-11 and led Fox's coverage of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan. During the Clinton administration, Shuster led Fox's coverage of the Clinton investigations including "Whitewater," the Monica Lewinsky scandal, the Starr report, and the Senate impeachment trial.

From 1994 - 1996, Mr. Shuster was a political reporter for KATV (ABC) Little Rock, Arkansas. He led the station's coverage of "Whitewater," including the indictments, trial, and convictions of Arkansas Governor Jim Guy Tucker. Shuster's reporting on a manufactured housing scandal earned him a regional Emmy Award for investigative journalism.

Shuster began his journalism career in CNN's Washington, D.C. bureau. From 1990 - 1994, he was an assignment editor and field producer, helping CNN cover the Persian Gulf War and the 1992 Presidential election campaign.

David Shuster is a native of Bloomington, Indiana. He graduated with honors from the University of Michigan. He is married to Julianna Goldman, a White House reporter for Bloomberg News.