THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 15, 1995 TAG: 9511160728
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
Whether or not it was fate, one thing's for sure. Byron Burney was in the right place at the right time.
The then Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) student, who was learning about filming and videos in school, was hanging around the departmental office one day when the phone rang. A local TV station was looking for a student to do some part-time work. ``I was the only one in the office and I jumped right on that,'' says Bryon, now 36. ``I was the envy of everyone.''
That one foot in the door stampeded and now he's the chief photographer at WVEC channel 13. The experience he got in those early days was invaluable, he says.
A local guy, Bryon grew up in Norfolk's old Liberty Park neighborhood and ran track, was on the basketball team and played football - as both an offensive and defensive starter - at Lake Taylor.
Full name: Byron K. Burney.
Hometown: Norfolk.
What brought you to the Beach? The beach and the good quality of living.
Birthdate: Dec. 11, 1958.
Occupation: Chief photographer at WVEC channel 13.
Nickname: ``B''
Marital status: Single.
Children: None.
What is your idea of a perfect day off? Getting out of town . . . going anywhere and leaving my beeper behind.
Last smart thing you did: Started working out.
Last dumb thing you did: If I tell you, I'll have to kill you.
Favorite meal: Grilled tuna and most seafood.
Favorite movies: ``Blazing Saddles,'' ``Philadelphia,'' ``Bopha'' and almost anything with action and suspense.
Favorite song: ``Last Dance'' by Chuck Mangione, ``The Wheel'' by James Asher, ``She's Leaving Home'' by Al Jarreau, ``Wild Goose Chase'' by Steel Pulse.
Last book read: ``Brave Two Zero.''
Hobbies: No time for any right now. I do like to work out.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? To spend more time with family and friends.
Secret vice: It's a secret.
Favorite restaurant: Town Point Club and Ships Cabin.
Your favorite night on the town: An evening at one of my favorite restaurants.
Favorite TV shows: No real favorites . . . except 13 news.
Favorite sport: Football.
Last vacation: Went to Pittsburgh to hang out with my buddy Sheldon Ingram and to check out the Steelers playing the Vikings. The Vikings (my team) won.
Pets: Six tropical fish.
Worst job: Delivering papers, way back when.
Of what achievements are you most proud? Being the chief photographer of the most talented group of photographers and editors in the state.
What would you like as your epitaph? He touched many lives. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DAVID B. HOLLINGSWORTH
by CNB