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Here is the list of the 30 original on-camera meteorologists hired at The Weather Channel, which opened its doors on Mt. Wilkenson Pkwy in suburban Atlanta on March 1, 1982 (There were actually 2 months of on-air and technical preparation and for a few weeks the live signal went out on satellite before the official start-up -- on the evening of May 2, 1982). They are listed in alphabetical order:
Will Annen
Ray Ban
Fred Barnhill
Andre Bernier
Bob Brown
Dale Bryan
Don Buser
John Cessarich
Gay Dawson
Dale Dockus*
Brian Durst
Bruce Edwards (Kalinowski)
Rick Griffin
John Hope
Bill Kamal
Steven Kaye (Kosch)
Bill Keneely
Charlie Levy (Martin)
Gary Ley*
Mark Mancuso
Vince Miller
Bob Richards
Lane Roberts
Gene Rubin
Dennis Smith
Herb Stevens
Craig Weber
Jim Wegner
Charlie Welsh
Vicki Williams **
* - Hired as part-time OCM/part-time Forecaster; both became full-time OCM's by mid-summer of 1982
** - married Rick Griffin while at TWC
The following here hired as OCM's anywhere between late 1982 and early 1986:
Declan Cannon*
Jon Davies***
John Doyle
Chris Edwards**
Bill Elias
Rebecca Erwin (Miller)
David Grant
Chuck Herring*
Rich Johnson**
Bonnie McLaughlin****
Marie Michelini
Karen Minton
Tom Moore*
Darlene Periconi**
Joe Petrovich
Sally Schmies (Bernier)*****
Glenn Schwartz
Norm Sebastian*
Keith Westerlege*
* - were hired at start-up as forecasters
** - were hired after start-up as forecasters
*** - has appeared on a "Storm Stories" episode as a storm chaser!
**** - married Declan Cannon while at TWC
***** - married Andre Bernier while at TWC
There were brief appearances by others (such as John Coleman, who was live one evening with Bruce Edwards, and others who did "live auditions" such as Dave Sankey). Also, John Coleman did an entertaining weekday taped feature called "Coleman's Calendar" highlighting the weather topic of the day. Many of the OCM's also wrote and appeared in 60-second taped features with such titles as "Meteorological Minute", "Neat Stuff", "Garden Weather" and John Hope did some excellent weather-in-history features covering topics such as D-Day and the Little Ice Age in Europe. Once I was asked to draw a contest winner live -- and the first envelope I pulled out of a rotating drum was a bill addressed to Sears!
Some of the current OCM's (such as Jeff Morrow and Jim Cantore) were hired after I left TWC in April of 1986. My sincere apologies to anyone I might have missed on the second list...perhaps another OCM can help out. I am confident that the first list of 30 OCMs, however, is complete.
Another interesting footnote is that there were no signed contracts for many years -- simply a written agreement from TWC of one's salary/raise. The
original minimal salary for a full-time OCM was $30,000/year, which at the time seemed like big money. Several of the experienced OCM's were purported to
be offered $52,000 and $62,000 at start-up but most were in the $35-45 range depending on experience and negotiating skills (neither of which I had!). Please don't ask who had the highest salaries because I don't feel it appropriate to disclose that kind of personal information of course. I simply bring it up as is and hope you are enlightened about the early days at TWC, as much as it's been a pleasure to reminisce.
The 30 Original Ocm's _
MultiQuote#2 Guest_lfmusiclover3_*
Posted 27 March 2006 - 07:44 AM
Thanks for the list! I just learned a few things about some of the OCM;s that I didn;t know before!
One question though: I didn't see Neal Estano on either of those lists and I know he was one of the earlier OCM's...but perhaps he didn't come on until 1987?
One question though: I didn't see Neal Estano on either of those lists and I know he was one of the earlier OCM's...but perhaps he didn't come on until 1987?
#3
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Posted 27 March 2006 - 08:58 AM
Thanks for the list.
I do recognize some of those names on the list, and I have always wondered if there were people on TWC that were marries, and i guess there were. Since I didnt start watching TWC til early '96, a lot of those names aren't familiar, but a good amount I am familiar with
Thank you again for the list
I do recognize some of those names on the list, and I have always wondered if there were people on TWC that were marries, and i guess there were. Since I didnt start watching TWC til early '96, a lot of those names aren't familiar, but a good amount I am familiar with
Thank you again for the list
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Posted 27 March 2006 - 11:04 AM
Great list. Do you have any pictures or video of your time at TWC?
What were the original facilities on Mt. Wilkinson Parkway like for an upstart like TWC in 1982?
Were there any rumors at the time that TWC might close up shop?
Do you still keep in contact with any of your former co-workers?
What were the original facilities on Mt. Wilkinson Parkway like for an upstart like TWC in 1982?
Were there any rumors at the time that TWC might close up shop?
Do you still keep in contact with any of your former co-workers?
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Posted 27 March 2006 - 12:35 PM
Yes, Dale. We really, really, really appreciate it. For some reason, I've been fascinated by TWC history (and an avid viewer since 1987), and your willingness to share your recollections is terrific. Thanks again.
lsb
lsb
#8 Guest_OLD-OCM_*
Posted 27 March 2006 - 08:01 PM
AMENDMENT TO THE LISTS:
I apologize for leaving out several of my old friends! Bill Schubert was also on the original OCM list (Sorry Bill, you can call me a scumbag!) and Carey Coleman (no relation to John, by the way) came aboard in '83. Also, I marked Keith
Westerlege as an original forecaster...but I believe he was hired after start-up.
That's the update -- and the last time I post a note so late in the evening!
Regarding some of your questions:
Neil Estano was hired well after I left -- I have never met him.
Yes, I do have lots of video of the early days, but it is mostly on 3/4" tape which was the professional standard at the time. I plan to have it converted to DVD but simply haven't gotten around to it yet. I shouldn't wait too long because the tapes tend to lose quality in both audio and video. As for photos, I have a few, including a group shot of many of the OCM's taking during the first month. I don't have the capability of putting pics on this site at the present time.
The book about TWC goes into detail about the early operations and its viability.
We were told at a meeting that a nickel-per-subscriber fee was being initiated to
continue operations. So it was more than a rumor!
I keep in touch with many of my old co-workers, who are spread out all over the country. Some we have lost touch with altogether, though search engines have helped me find several recently -- and it's been fun to email back and forth. I am hoping that some of the lost souls are directed to a site such as this one and reestablish old friendships. As you know, at least one already has (Bruce) and it's been a blast to tell old war stories.
The first studio was pretty much bare bones, with stationary cameras. The camera shot selection and order of graphics were made competely by the OCMs!
There weren't even any windows, and one door. The rest of the operation was able to fit into the top floor of a new office building -- though the weather forecast room was large with many windows. There was no place for the OCMs to put on their "pancake" make-up, so like everything else we just accepted it as a start-up situation and made the most of it!
I apologize for leaving out several of my old friends! Bill Schubert was also on the original OCM list (Sorry Bill, you can call me a scumbag!) and Carey Coleman (no relation to John, by the way) came aboard in '83. Also, I marked Keith
Westerlege as an original forecaster...but I believe he was hired after start-up.
That's the update -- and the last time I post a note so late in the evening!
Regarding some of your questions:
Neil Estano was hired well after I left -- I have never met him.
Yes, I do have lots of video of the early days, but it is mostly on 3/4" tape which was the professional standard at the time. I plan to have it converted to DVD but simply haven't gotten around to it yet. I shouldn't wait too long because the tapes tend to lose quality in both audio and video. As for photos, I have a few, including a group shot of many of the OCM's taking during the first month. I don't have the capability of putting pics on this site at the present time.
The book about TWC goes into detail about the early operations and its viability.
We were told at a meeting that a nickel-per-subscriber fee was being initiated to
continue operations. So it was more than a rumor!
I keep in touch with many of my old co-workers, who are spread out all over the country. Some we have lost touch with altogether, though search engines have helped me find several recently -- and it's been fun to email back and forth. I am hoping that some of the lost souls are directed to a site such as this one and reestablish old friendships. As you know, at least one already has (Bruce) and it's been a blast to tell old war stories.
The first studio was pretty much bare bones, with stationary cameras. The camera shot selection and order of graphics were made competely by the OCMs!
There weren't even any windows, and one door. The rest of the operation was able to fit into the top floor of a new office building -- though the weather forecast room was large with many windows. There was no place for the OCMs to put on their "pancake" make-up, so like everything else we just accepted it as a start-up situation and made the most of it!
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Posted 27 March 2006 - 10:24 PM
Incredibly cool. Thank you for posting and answering our questions! I think all of us have an incredible respect for TWC. It's great to hear from someone inside the operation.
I know all of us would die to see more of the early video and pictures. It was so groundbreaking and I think it deserves to be preserved and appreciated.
Although I am pretty young (20s), I recognize just about everyone on the lists. I also know the names Jim Wegner and David Grant as being mets who were at stations in Tampa in the late '80s and into the '90s.
I know all of us would die to see more of the early video and pictures. It was so groundbreaking and I think it deserves to be preserved and appreciated.
Although I am pretty young (20s), I recognize just about everyone on the lists. I also know the names Jim Wegner and David Grant as being mets who were at stations in Tampa in the late '80s and into the '90s.
Favorite LF Artists: Trammell Starks, Brian Bromberg, Patrick O'Hearn, Max Groove, Peter Buffett, Dan Siegel, Dave Grusin, Kevin Eubanks, Tom Scott, Lonnie Liston Smith, Physical Therapy, Sam Riney, Jeff Lorber, Torcuato Mariano, Jean Luc Ponty.
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Posted 27 March 2006 - 10:29 PM
Well, I am only 14, so I didnt see TWC til about 96, but I am so interested in the history of TWC, so I would love to see the videos.... I enjoy looking at old videos ppl post on here..... thanks for the post tho 
#14
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Posted 28 March 2006 - 06:35 PM
Wow! I hadn't realized that Rick Griffin was there since the beginning! He was a great OCM! Why did he leave and when? I miss him.
Thanks for the list, its awsome!!!
Thanks for the list, its awsome!!!
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Posted 28 March 2006 - 07:37 PM
I believe Mike Bono joined TWC in late 87 or early 88.
Rick Griffin originally left TWC (or moved behind camera) in the mid 80s and returned to the morning shift in 92. He "left" again in late 03.
Rick Griffin originally left TWC (or moved behind camera) in the mid 80s and returned to the morning shift in 92. He "left" again in late 03.
#16 Guest_OLD-OCM_*
Posted 28 March 2006 - 09:46 PM
Rick & Vicki Griffin left in the mid-80's for Sacramento TV and in the late 80's in the
Detroit market before returning to Atlanta. I don't know of their current status or even if they are still married. Mike Bono came along later in the 80's...that 87-88 timeline is probably correct.
Another guy who was a real favorite while he was at TWC was George Elliot. He was astute and yet a bit off the wall and always watchable! I met him once at a
Super Bowl party hosted by storm chaser Matt Crowther, who was hired at start-up as a forecaster and still works there (you can see Matt wandering around in the evening in the background shot with a gray beard and usually a t-shirt advertising a roller coaster or amusement park). Anyway, it was a great pleasure to meet George that day and he was very gracious. George is currently on TV in the Wilmington, NC market and has entertained viewers there for years.
Detroit market before returning to Atlanta. I don't know of their current status or even if they are still married. Mike Bono came along later in the 80's...that 87-88 timeline is probably correct.
Another guy who was a real favorite while he was at TWC was George Elliot. He was astute and yet a bit off the wall and always watchable! I met him once at a
Super Bowl party hosted by storm chaser Matt Crowther, who was hired at start-up as a forecaster and still works there (you can see Matt wandering around in the evening in the background shot with a gray beard and usually a t-shirt advertising a roller coaster or amusement park). Anyway, it was a great pleasure to meet George that day and he was very gracious. George is currently on TV in the Wilmington, NC market and has entertained viewers there for years.
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Posted 28 March 2006 - 09:52 PM
George was a "lively" OCM and I always thought he fit the often irreverant tone of the network at the time. Dave Schwartz kind of nicely (and solely) carries on that tradition these days, albeit most in the West Coast prime shift.
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Posted 28 March 2006 - 09:59 PM
I believe Matt (and his wife) were featured in a documentary on tornadoes produced by TWC in the mid 90s.
Admin/Webmaster
#20 Guest_Bogster_*
Posted 29 March 2006 - 05:37 AM
Rick left with his wife Vicki. They both went to WDIV-TV in Detroit as meteorologists. Rick then went on to Sacramento & Vicki became a full-time Mom. When Rick's contract wasn't renewed in Sacramento, he was rehired at TWC.
By the way, Sally Bernier's original "on-air" name was, "Sally Patrick".
By the way, Sally Bernier's original "on-air" name was, "Sally Patrick".
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Posted 29 March 2006 - 09:31 AM
lfmusiclover3, on Mar 29 2006, 07:58 AM, said:
Yes and the second time Rick left he was fired by TWC for the same reason that Marny was. Or so I understand.
<_< yea, I read that Rick was fired, because Terry Connelly told him to get cosmetic surgery, and Rick refused..... good for him to refuse tho, bad he got fired, I like Rick
#24 Guest_fsahurie_*
Posted 29 March 2006 - 12:54 PM
wxTWCwx, on Mar 29 2006, 09:31 AM, said:
lfmusiclover3, on Mar 29 2006, 07:58 AM, said:
Yes and the second time Rick left he was fired by TWC for the same reason that Marny was. Or so I understand.
<_< yea, I read that Rick was fired, because Terry Connelly told him to get cosmetic surgery, and Rick refused..... good for him to refuse tho, bad he got fired, I like Rick
He was fired on November of 2003, if I recall.Too bad though, he was one of my favorite OCMs on The Weather Channel
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Posted 30 March 2006 - 12:31 AM
My parents always vividly remember George Elliott busting a gut laughing his butt off on camera one night. It's cool he's still working in the Wilmington market.
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Posted 21 November 2006 - 11:45 PM
[quote name='OLD-OCM' date='Mar 26 2006, 10:07 PM' post='34553']
There were brief appearances by others (such as John Coleman, who was live one evening with Bruce Edwards, and others who did "live auditions" such as Dave Sankey). Also, John Coleman did an entertaining weekday taped feature called "Coleman's Calendar" highlighting the weather topic of the day. Many of the OCM's also wrote and appeared in 60-second taped features with such titles as "Meteorological Minute", "Neat Stuff", "Garden Weather" and John Hope did some excellent weather-in-history features covering topics such as D-Day and the Little Ice Age in Europe. Once I was asked to draw a contest winner live -- and the first envelope I pulled out of a rotating drum was a bill addressed to Sears!
I remember reading this a while back. John Coleman does a similar thing on the news here now. He does a weather question on every 10:00 PM segment.The anchors try to guess the right answer.He gives funny comments based on thier answer.This reminded me of this topic.
There were brief appearances by others (such as John Coleman, who was live one evening with Bruce Edwards, and others who did "live auditions" such as Dave Sankey). Also, John Coleman did an entertaining weekday taped feature called "Coleman's Calendar" highlighting the weather topic of the day. Many of the OCM's also wrote and appeared in 60-second taped features with such titles as "Meteorological Minute", "Neat Stuff", "Garden Weather" and John Hope did some excellent weather-in-history features covering topics such as D-Day and the Little Ice Age in Europe. Once I was asked to draw a contest winner live -- and the first envelope I pulled out of a rotating drum was a bill addressed to Sears!
I remember reading this a while back. John Coleman does a similar thing on the news here now. He does a weather question on every 10:00 PM segment.The anchors try to guess the right answer.He gives funny comments based on thier answer.This reminded me of this topic.
This post has been edited by stormymikala: 21 November 2006 - 11:47 PM
#27
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Posted 22 November 2006 - 06:58 PM
WYFF's John Cessarich was one of the original OCMs? I didn't know that.
#28 Guest_tony_*
Posted 24 January 2010 - 05:29 PM
I have been watching the weather channel since I was a young child. I do remember George Elliot, and will annen, jeanetta jones, charlie welsh(who from what I read passed away). What year did charlie pass away. And I remember cheryll lemke, liz jarvis, marnie stanier. I also remember dan pope and probably many others who I did not list.
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Posted 26 January 2010 - 09:13 PM
I know this thread is nearly 4 years old, but I've never seen it before. This is awesome information!! 
I love this! I remember many of these former OCMs.
I love this! I remember many of these former OCMs.
Find Michelin tires at this dealer near you because so much is riding on your tires.
#30 Guest_Erik Stone_*
Posted 03 February 2010 - 04:08 PM
Here's The List Of The Weather Channel's On-Air Meteorologists (Circa 1986):
Will Annan
Charlie Welch
Dave Watson
Dennis Smith
Liz Jarvis
Marshall Seese
Bill Kennelly
Colleen Wine
Jim Cantore
Tom Moore
Jeff Morrow
Bruce Edwards
Ray Ban
Bill Schubert
Karen Minton
Jeanetta Jones
Dale Eck
John Doyle
Gay Dawson
Dave Nemeth
Jerry Tracey
George Smith
John Hope
Chuck Henning
Declan Cannon
Will Annan
Charlie Welch
Dave Watson
Dennis Smith
Liz Jarvis
Marshall Seese
Bill Kennelly
Colleen Wine
Jim Cantore
Tom Moore
Jeff Morrow
Bruce Edwards
Ray Ban
Bill Schubert
Karen Minton
Jeanetta Jones
Dale Eck
John Doyle
Gay Dawson
Dave Nemeth
Jerry Tracey
George Smith
John Hope
Chuck Henning
Declan Cannon