Cablefax The Magazine - May 2016 - 33

REGIONALS
Tina Pidgeon
What does the future look like for skinny bundles
and flexible packaging? Bright ... if innovative
providers could get some flexibility with our programming
contracts.
Last show I watched not on my network(s):
" Fortitude " (crime and drama for the Arctic!)
New favorite binge: " Transparent "
My cable industry mentor and why: I have three:
Ron Duncan for innovation and imagination; Bridget
Baker for connecting ideas and people; and Steve Brett
for sensible thinking.
I watch the majority of programming on this
device: iPad mini
Favorite Podcast: Serial
Favorite vacation spot: Harbor Island, Bahamas
21. STRONG WORK
Jeffrey Ross
Title: President,
Armstrong Utilities
Years in Cable:
29 cable and telecom,
22 just cable
Education: Electrical
Engineering, Penn
State and Northeastern;
MBA, Clark
One Word that
Best Describes Me:
Engaged
Ross brings nearly
three decades of experience
to his role as
president of Armstrong Utilities. Under his leadership,
Armstrong last year ranked tops domestically for video
and Internet service and second in telephone service,
according to The Consumerist and Consumer Reports.
Ross' mission is to offer the best overall experience to
consumers. He believes his employees put customer
satisfaction as their top priority.
The biggest innovation in cable over the last year:
1Gig Cable Modem Service
What does the future look like for skinny bundles
and flexible packaging? Not Good, but wish we
could! Talk to our friends on the programing side.
Clearly customers want more options.
My dream would be for: My lawn mower to be connected
to the Internet of Things so it could cut my lawn
and I could play more golf.
My cable industry mentor and why: There are a few
but for this I'll say Gene Musselman. If you know Gene,
you know why.
Hoverboard, driverless car or drone: Drone
I watch the majority of programming on this
device: Smart TV, then iPad Pro
My favorite newfound hobby: Digital Photography
The technology that will most benefit cable over
the next year is: TiVo
Favorite vacation spot: Hilton Head
My Starbucks order: Grande Decaf Latte
Cablefax: The Magazine
22. CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK
Allan Block
Title: Chairman of the Board,
Buckeye Cablevision & Block
Communications
Years in Cable: 31
Education: University of
Pennsylvania
Last year marked Buckeye's
50th anniversary so Block,
grandson of late founder Paul Block, made sure things
were celebrated in style with a yearlong event of
celebrations, giveaways and special events, honoring
the milestone. One was the gift of free service to Rev.
John E. Roberts (and his church) for a year in honor of
Roberts being Buckeye's first customer back in 1965.
I watch the majority of programming on this
device: Flat Screen TV
Favorite vacation spot: Positano, Italy on the Amalfi
Coast
Virtual reality is: Going to have a major impact on the
entertainment landscape
Last show I watched not on my network(s):
" Billions "
What was your first job? Busboy at a beach club
Favorite charity event you work with: Clarke Schools
for Hearing & Speech " sponsor a child " program
New favorite binge: " Billions " for content; Shake
Shack if we're talking food!
Hoverboard, driverless car or drone: Driverless car.
Vastly improves the road trip!
Favorite vacation spot: Jackson Hole, WY
My typical breakfast is: Egg whites and one slice of
cheese on multigrain toast and a bottle of water
23. THE EARLE OF CABLE
Earle A. MacKenzie
Title: EVP & COO, Shentel
Years in Cable: 9
Education: BBA, College
of William & Mary
One Word that Best
Describes Me: Determined
MacKenzie wasted no time
in making sure 2016 would
be a good one for Shentel. In January, the company
announced the purchase of Colane Cable TV, a video,
Internet and home phone provider located in West
Virginia. The move enables Shentel to expand its cable
business, specifically allowing it to offer a robust triple
play including 101 Mbps of Internet to customers (both
residential and business) in the Colane communities.
What does the future look like for skinny bundles
and flexible packaging? I am optimistic that contrary
to the desires of the programmers, a combination of
customer demand, more video options and maybe even
some help from Congress will make skinny bundles and
flexible packaging a reality within the next five years.
What was your first job? A laborer on a construction
crew
Best way to spend a Saturday night: Sharing a
May 2016
great meal with my wife
My cable industry mentor and why: Bob Gessner
- he has been extremely helpful in providing me
insights and perspective on the industry.
24. A BOYERS LIFE
Patricia Jo Boyers
Title: President & CEO,
BOYCOM
Years in Cable: 37
Education: University of
Missouri
One Word that Best
Describes Me: Tenacious
Boyers brings an entrepreneurial spirit, passion and
commitment to her role as BOYCOM fights to survive
in today's cable market. She not only helps to meet the
needs of independent operators through ACA, but also
she is a committed volunteer and leader in her community
in many causes and committees.
What was your first job? Dairy Queen, circa 1974
Favorite charity event you work with: Veterans Washington,
DC, Tour
What was the last costume that you wore and
why? The official costume of the Wicked Witch of the
West from " The Wizard of Oz. " Why? Simply because I
can! (see pic!)
Best way to spend a Saturday night: With a cocktail
and my husband, sitting on the tailgate of our truck
watching our cattle graze and the sun set.
I watch the majority of programming on this
device: The misnomer is that I don't watch much
programming!
25. GIVE ME LIBERTY
Naji Khoury
Title: President & CEO,
Liberty Cablevision of PR
Years in Cable: 6 (+ 20 in
Telecommunications)
Education: MS in Telecommunications
Engineering
& Management, The
Johns Hopkins University;
BS in Electrical Engineering,
Syracuse University
One Word that Best Describes Me: Driven
John F. Conrad
Title: VP & General Counsel,
Liberty Cablevision of PR
Years in Cable: 15
Education: BS, Georgia
State University; JD, University
of Puerto Rico
One Word that Best
Describes Me: Friendly
Last year was a busy
one for Khoury, Conrad and their team as they
consolidated all of the Puerto Rico operations under
one roof. Although they operate in a challenging marcablefaxmag.com
33
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