Cablefax The Magazine - April 2017 - 28

REGIONALS
Q&A
What inspires you most about this industry? Our
relentless search to improve: networks, people, products.
The biggest innovation in cable over the last
year? While it still seems quite uncertain, synchronous
DOCSIS.
The best thing about fast broadband is ... we can
keep making it faster.
Which TV family is most like your own? The
Andersons from " Father Knows Best, " which often showed
the dad (Jim Anderson, played by Robert Young) vainly
attempting to be in charge when clearly he is not!
My OTT prediction is...no matter how it's delivered,
it's still just TV.
If President Trump tweeted about you, he would
say... nothing, I hope.
How do you celebrate your birthday? If old age
wants to catch me, he must run fast and far, so I try to run
10 miles every year on that day.
THE HEADLINER
Andrea Greenberg
President & CEO
MSG Networks
Years in Cable: 34
Education: BA, Economics,
Brandeis University
For the past two years, Greenberg
has overseen all aspects of MSG Networks' business including
programming, production, distribution, sales, marketing
and digital initiatives. Always looking to strengthen
the connection between fans and the company's two
regional sports nets-MSG Network and MSG+-she's
had an eye to expanding the networks' digital properties
and products. As this edition went to press, Greenberg
was managing a new aspect of the business-reports
that the company, controlled by the Dolan family, was
being shopped around for sale.
Q&A
What inspires you most about this industry?
Without a doubt, the people.
What are the top three qualities you look for in a
hire? We look to hire people who are curious, collaborative
and passionate.
Favorite Saturday morning cartoon from your
childhood? " The Jetsons " - it's all not so far off
anymore.
Last show I watched not on my networks: " The
Crown " on Netflix
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Ted Griggs
President, Group & Strategic
Production and Programming
Leader
NBC Sports Regional
Networks
Years in Cable: 19
Education: BA, San Francisco State University
One Word that Best Describes Me: Focused
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The Chicago Cubs weren't the only big winners in sports
last fall. In October, Griggs, previously president & GM
of CSN Bay Area and CSN California, was promoted to
his current post, where he oversees CSN New England,
CSN Philadelphia, TCN and CSN Mid-Atlantic. Nowadays,
he works closely with the GMs of each network to lead
strategies promoting the growth and optimization of the
businesses. Reporting directly to NBC Sports prez David
Preschlack, Griggs also oversees strategy for production
and programming for all of NBC Sports Regional Networks.
RISING SOUTH
Doug Guthrie
SVP, Big South Region
Comcast Cable
Education: Bridgewater State
College
Years in Cable: 30+
Guthrie's mantra of always putting
the consumer first is just one reason why Comcast's
Big South Region, which he joined in July 2013, has seen
its numbers steadily increase. He's guided the region to
record customer growth, achieving year-over-year RGU
numbers at 159 percent. Another area where he succeeds
with flying colors is his communication with employees.
GETTING GRANDE-R
Jim Holanda
President & CEO
Patriot Media-RCN,
Grande Communications
Years in Cable: 25
Education: BA, Political Science,
The Ohio State University
Steven J.
Simmons
Chairman
Patriot Media-RCN,
Grande Communications
Years in Cable: 35
Education: BA, Cornell University;
JD, Harvard Law School
One Word that Best Describes Me: Entrepreneurs
Holanda and Simmons have had a banner year. In February,
RCN and Grande announced they would combine to
form the seventh largest US cable company and provider
of next generation, high-speed data services for residential
and business customers in six states. Among top priorities
for Holanda and Simmons is providing high-speed Internet
access to all school classrooms in their regions to ensure
all students receive the best education possible.
Simmons Q&A
What inspires you most about this industry?
The people in this business are terrific, and have had
an uncanny ability to adapt to changing technology and
consumer demands.
The biggest innovation in cable over the last
year? Broad deployment of 1 Gig service to residential
customers.
April 2017
Tom Might
Executive Chairman
CableONE
January 1 wasn't just the start of
a new year. For Laulis, it was the
beginning of a new position as
president and CEO of Cable ONE.
Cablefax: The Magazine
My OTT prediction is... Linear, by appointment television
will continue to decline and OTT will gain significant
audience share. Cable operators will benefit from
enhanced demand for broadband delivering OTT.
How do you celebrate your birthday? With my
family!
New favorite binge: " Justified " series produced by FX
and available on Amazon.
EMBARRASSMENT OF RICH-ES
Rich Jennings
SVP, Mountain West Region
Comcast Cable
Years in Cable: 24
Education: University of Notre
Dame
In 2016, Jennings led the newly
created Mountain West Region in a successful first year,
where it was recognized as the region of the year within
the Comcast West Division based on overall performance.
His leadership was crucial in uniting the team and making
it a success story for the company. As 2017 progresses,
Jennings continues to guide his team through several new
Xfinity store and call center openings across the five state
region. He adheres to the adage that all work and no play
can be a bad thing, so each year at the holiday Comcast
party Jennings puts on his DJ hat and spins records.
Q&A
What inspires you most about this industry? Our
ability to evolve and constantly reinvent ourselves.
The biggest innovation in cable over the last
year? DOCSIS 3.1
The best thing about fast broadband is... it's fast!
Three years from now, what do you hope has
been invented? Something that cooks faster than a
microwave.
Which TV family is most like your own? The
Huxtables (from " The Cosby Show " )
My OTT prediction is... Coverage with wireless set
tops and platform aggregators (like X1).
How do you celebrate your birthday? I don't.
NEW ADMINISTRATION
Julie M. Laulis
President & CEO
CableONE
Years in Cable: 32
Education: Bachelor's Degree in
Telecommunications from Indiana
University, Harvard Business
School - Program for Management Development
One Word that Best Describes Me: Tenacious
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Cablefax The Magazine - April 2017

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