Debbie Turner recently retired after nearly three decades in the media business. Most recently, she was the Vice President of Television Operations for the E.W. Scripps Company, overseeing 33 stations in 24 markets. Prior to the merger of Scripps and Journal Communications in 2015, Turner was the Executive Vice President of Journal Broadcast Group, responsible for the group’s television stations in ten markets. She spent more than 20 years at the CBS affiliate in Nashville, TN, the majority of which was as the President and General Manager, until Landmark Communications sold the station to Journal Communications in 2012. Under Turner’s leadership, the Nashville station became the top-rated one in the market and is consistently one of the top performing CBS affiliates in the country. Turner began her career as an auditor for Price Waterhouse. A CPA, she received her BBA degree from the College of William and Mary.
Turner is active in the Nashville community and has served on a variety of boards including the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, Leadership Nashville, and the Center for Non-Profit Management. She has also served on the CBS Affiliate Board, Tennessee Association of Broadcasters, and the National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation.
Turner was recognized as the 2012 General Manager of the Year/mid markets by Broadcast and Cable, was named one of Nashville’s top 100 Leaders by Celebrate Magazine, and is a past Inductee into the YWCA’s Academy for Women of Achievement. The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Mid-South Region recently announced that Turner will receive the Governor’s Award for Lifetime Achievement at the upcoming Emmy Awards celebration in February.
Show Highlights:
[In a transition of power period], you’ve got to do it in such a way that is respectful to the prior regime and respectful of the people. Give them a chance. -Debbie TurnerIf I err in any direction, I err on the side of transparency with my team. -Debbie Turner[In regards to travel] When I was home, I was present. -Debbie TurnerI build a team around me that is smarter than me that feel comfortable challenging me and challenging any process out there. Collectively, 9/10 times, we are able to achieve a solution. -Debbie TurnerEvery once in a while, you’ve got to look at the big picture and make decisions based on the whole picture of your life, not just one narrow path. -Debbie TurnerI always look at things with the perspective that “Okay, this is important but it’s not up there with the end of the world, saving the world, etc.” -Debbie TurnerI woke up every single day of my career happy to go do what I did. -Debbie Turner
Debbie’s closing thoughts: Maximize every day. Live life to the fullest. Good is gonna come. That doesn’t mean you’re not going to have to make choices to make that happen. If I felt my career was dead-ending a little bit, do you know what I would do? I would go do something else! You just change your path now and then so that you can get affirmed in other areas rather than just working in one position. You have to make your own destiny.
The Action Catalyst is a weekly podcast hosted by Dan Moore, President of Southwestern Advantage, the oldest direct-sales company in America, and Partner with Southwestern Consulting. With more than 45 years in sales leadership and marketing management, Dan has a wealth of knowledge to share on how to make better use of time to achieve life, sales, and other business goals. Each week, he interviews some of the nation’s top thought leaders and experts, sharing meaningful tips and advice. Subscribe on iTunes and please leave a rating and review!
