“I’m going to be leaving early today,” 11Alive Executive Producer Cal Callaway said to News Director Ellen Crooke just before Friday’s afternoon meeting.
The statement brought levity after a rare, somber silence filled the newsroom upon hearing Cal’s short goodbye speech. “It’s been an honor,” Cal said simply and elegantly. That’s his style.
Many people have had the pleasure of working with Cal at 11Alive for many years. I’ve had the pleasure of working with him for about two years.
Cal was the News Director when I was hired. I remember sitting in his office during the interview uncomfortably intimidated. There I was, some kid from market 128, hoping for a shot at the big city. I’d like to think Cal played up the large market urgency during that interview. I remember him getting of from his desk, running into the newsroom, ensuring that his staff was on top of whatever news was breaking.
I joined the 11Alive News staff a couple of weeks later. I grew to learn that Cal expected a lot of his staff. But he also expected a lot, if not more, from himself. If there was a new skill the newsroom staff had to learn, he learned it, too. A news guy at heart, he never missed a chance to roll up his sleeves, hack away on some scripts or make some calls.
The announcement of Cal’s departure yesterday was unexpected. He’s moving on to a new opportunity, at which I’m sure he’ll be successful. We’re sad to see him go, but wish him the best of luck.
It’s been an honor to work with you, too, Cal.
I joked with Cal that I felt the same way. He was rather surprised. He doesn’t TRY to be intimidating… he’s just very, very intense.
At least I didn’t lose him to breaking news.