05/06/2026
R.I.P. Ted Turner. 1938-2026 (87 yrs.)
In April 1990, I was hired in my first corporate job at Turner Broadcasting, in the role of Public Relations Still Photographer in the P.R. Dept. located at CNN Center. CNN turned 10 yrs. in May, one month later, and was still being called "Chicken Noodle News." Little did the naysayers know what would become of what Ted created.
I absolutely LOVED my job! We weren't paid much, but we were all working for a visionary on the forefront of change and everyone was excited to be there! (And we got free Braves tickets to boot!) We were all a part of history in the making! Work was so much fun, seriously! It was a culture and a social life, work and play all wrapped into one. I couldn't wait to get to work! I never knew who I was going to meet or what I was going to be photographing. Hawks, Braves, WCW, Goodwill Games, celebrities, National Geographic, and the list goes on...
Most of the employees were young and just starting their careers. We all knew that having CNN or TBS on our resumes would most certainly get our foots in the door for future job opportunities, and it absolutely did. Unfortunately, I was only employed at TBS for 1 yr. & 7 months, because I was included in a large layoff, as the company was upside down with the Gulf War in 1991 when Turner sent CNN news anchors abroad to cover the war.
When Turner first put TVs in airports in order to run CNN 24/7, the test pilot was the Miami Airport. I flew down for the afternoon and spent the day inside the airport photographing all of the areas where the new TVs were installed.
I photographed Ted speaking at internal meetings, and with WCW's El Gigante/ Argentine Professional Wrestler, as well as with Jane Fonda and Maria Shriver at Fulton County Stadium. (pictured here)
Although my time at TBS was short lived, I still have dear friends to this day with whom I keep up with. I am so grateful for having been employed at Turner, as it was a launching pad/career starter and has blessed me with never ending gifts.
God Speed, Ted.