Cablefax The Magazine - July 2010 - 32

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Tom Gleason
EVP
NewWave Communications
It's a cliché to say someone has done it all. But with
Tom Gleason and cable, it's the truth. He's climbed
poles, spliced coax and worked on construction crews
that built cable systems. He's been a headend designer,
a vendor, a programmer and an operator. And he seems
to have as much enthusiasm as ever. Perhaps it's because
he's had such a good time along the way.
" He is, in the best sense of the word, a real character, "
says longtime pal Robert Gessner, President of Massillon
Cable and our Independent Strategic Thinker of the Year in
'09. " He's a wonderfully funny guy, but just about the time
you start thinking he's a laidback good ol' boy, he'll really
surprise you with his business acumen and intelligence. "
GLEEFUL GLEASON:
Approaching 50 years
in cable and still enoying
every day.
Fast Facts
\ Gleason started his career in 1962 working on a construction
crew that built his his father's first cable system.
\ In 1976 he co-founded Galaxy Communications Systems,
which built cable systems in 4 states for various operators.
\ Tom cut his wireless teeth from 1993-1996 when he
served as President/CEO of CableMaxx in Austin.
That industry knowledge has guided Gleason from Nebraska
to his latest endeavor, co-founding NewWave in
2003 with brother Jim. Our Independent Operator of the
Year, NewWave's modus operandi is as wonderfully direct
as Tom's personality: purchase run-down, stand-alone
rural systems; invest the requisite capital to revitalize
them; and be a good citizen in the communities where
those systems are located. Through sheer tenacity, the
company has consolidated operations across southern
Illinois, Kentucky, West Tennessee, southeast Missouri
and Northeast Arkansas to four master head-ends.
But Tom Gleason's story isn't limited to the many
jobs he's had in his nearly 50-year cable career. He's
also been omnipresent on the industry level, where his
voice and laugh continue to be mainstays of The Independent
Show. Heck, he was at the kitchen table when
NCTC was founded and was instrumental in ACA's
birth, too. He also nudged the two groups to collaborate
on The Independent Show.
It's not a surprise to learn that in 2005, when NCTC
needed someone to take the helm, Tom answered the
call, joining as interim chief. It meant he had to leave
NewWave for six months at a time when it had about
17,000 customers and was growing. When the cable
veteran returned to NewWave he brought added perspective.
" The people who work at the co-op are very
dedicated. I saw how difficult it was to maneuver with
the programmers, to keep your costs in line, " he says.
At NewWave, which now has 122,000 customers,
Gleason's made a business of waiting a bit before rolling
out advanced services. It's a tactic many smaller
operators use-wait to see what lessons the big boys
learn from being early adopters. But this summer is a
big one for the company. It's starting to launch VOD,
digital simulcast and whole-home DVRs. " We've tied
together about 90% of our subscribers, " he says.
" That's huge for us. "
And while most people who receive Lifetime Achiement
honors are slowing down, Gleason's only looking
ahead. " By this time next year even little companies
like us will have gateways into your home and be
providing interactive video and 3D, " he predicts. " And
we will be in the wireless business within the next
12-18 months. It's necessary. "
32
cablefaxmag.com
July 2010
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