ABOUT ME
Hi, I'm Ann Keith
WHERE I COME FROM
Growing up on Magnolia Lane in Forest Park, in a lively family of eight, was an experience filled with joy and unforgettable memories. With three older brothers and two younger sisters, our home was always buzzing with energy — whether it was friendly competition, wild adventures, or moments of pure love. One of the greatest gifts of my childhood, though, was the incredible sense of community we had with our neighbors. They weren’t just the people next door; they were our friends, always willing to lend a hand, even if it was just a cup of sugar. When did you last borrow a cup of sugar from a neighbor? I really miss that.
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Our days were packed with activities — Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, sports, school choir, and many other community events. Block parties, camping trips, church gatherings, school functions, and neighborhood softball games were a regular part of our lives. We spent countless hours exploring the woods and having adventures with all the kids in the neighborhood. Even now, the bonds formed during those years endure, and my family still shares strong friendships with those childhood pals and their families.
A THRIVING CAREER
Throughout my career in sports broadcasting, which spans over 40 years, I have consistently demonstrated strong leadership skills. I began my journey at WTCG, contributing to its evolution into WTBS - Super Station and later, CNN. One of the pivotal moments in my career was working the Goodwill Games in Moscow, Russia, organized by Ted Turner. This experience was transformative, as my colleagues and I dedicated long hours to achieve a common goal: delivering a successful telecast that showcased significant sporting events and provided insight into Russian culture. This experience taught me invaluable lessons about life and my career.
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In 1990, I received an offer from NBC to work at the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics in Spain. Working an Olympics is a huge undertaking, with the groundwork beginning four years in advance. The last two years are where the real work begins - working with every department in NBC to meet their requirements. Following that, I joined Turner Broadcasting for the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics and the 1994 Goodwill Games in St. Petersburg, Russia. I then returned to NBC to cover the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics in my hometown.
My journey continued with CBS for the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, after which I rejoined NBC to oversee On-Site Production Services and Olympic Operations in Sydney, Australia; Salt Lake City, Utah; Athens, Greece; and Torino, Italy. While overseeing on-site operations, I worked with local governments regarding hiring laws, visa requirements, security enforcement, and business startup requirements. My leadership skills were exercised daily while overseeing our local NBC Team, most of which had never worked an Olympics before. Since the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics, I have worked at every Olympic Games and have been honored with 12 Sports Emmys for my contributions to NBC's Olympic Team.
Additionally, as a freelancer in the broadcast field, I have collaborated with all major broadcasters, including Discovery International, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, TBS, and ESPN, on various events such as MLB, MLS, NASCAR, NBA, and NFL games, as well as prestigious tournaments like Gold Cups, Grand Slams - Tennis, Olympics, Super Bowls, USGA, and the World Series.
Teamwork is the key to achieving great success. It’s like a big puzzle - when even one piece doesn’t fit or isn’t willing to work together, it throws everything off. The whole team ends up working harder. But when everyone comes together, the results speak for themselves.
The most valuable lesson I've gained from living and traveling across the USA and around the world is this: people are fundamentally the same. Our skin color doesn’t define who we are; it’s our hearts that do. We all share the same dreams - to be loved, to succeed, to be respected, to find happiness, and to live in peace. I’m so grateful for this understanding.
