66. Western Defense

Brad Dusto
Title: President, Comcast’s West Division
Age: 53
Years in Industry: 30

Eric Brown
Title: President, Charter’s western division

Roger Keating
Title: EVP, Los Angeles Region, Time Warner Cable
Age: 45
Years in Industry: 14

Why Them? As AT&T expands beyond San Antonio and into other markets in its Western territories, these guys are among those on the front lines trying to beat them back. In addition, indie telcos out west have increasingly launched triple-play products to win back customers who have defected to cable’s VoIP and data offerings. All in all, the influence of these regional presidents (as well as their counterparts at other MSOs big and small) is likely to increase exponentially as competition flourishes. - MG

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Brad Dusto

I knew the cable industry was for me when: “In 1978, I was Manager of Video Services for RCA Americom looking at new opportunities in cable or broadcast. After doing some homework, I found that the broadcast industry was dominated by large companies headed up by big corporate offices, whereas cable was small, entrepreneurial companies led by very smart 40 year-olds. A young 25, I said cable is for me! (Of course, cable is still led by smart people in their 40).”
Person I most admire in the cable industry and why: “Ralph Roberts. He started with next to nothing and built Comcast into one of the largest communications companies in the world while driving a culture of high ethics, community involvement, and successful financial results.”
Biggest cable surprise of 2006: “The power of selling three products in the “triple play” bundle completely took me by surprise. After years of marketing video and cable modems, it was hard to see how adding voice would be so successful in growing all lines of business, but it has been amazingly successful.”
Favorite restaurant: “The French Laundry (Napa Valley) – if you can get reservations, you will choose it too.”
My favorite line is: “Here’s Johnny!” -- Jack Nicholson, “The Shining”
Least favorite piece of tech: “Being a former CTO, I lump together all those devices that have complex, cumbersome or inept customer interfaces. There were MP3 players before the iPod, but Apple made it soooo easy.”

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Roger Keating

I knew the cable industry was for me when: “I went on a ride out with an installer and saw for the first time the incredibly strong bond we have with our customers.”
Person I most admire in the cable industry and why: “Dan Aaron, for teaching me that the most important members of our team are the men and women on our front line.”
Top personal achievement in 2006: “Leading the amazing team we have in LA to integrate the properties we acquired in the Adelphia transaction.”
In my free time, I like to: “Be ‘Daddy’ to our 1-year-old daughter.”
Favorite city: “I’ve lived in 22 places, and of all the world, Los Angeles is the town for me!”
Three things I would take with me to a desert island: “Our three Division Presidents that run LA – If they can run LA as well as they do, I’m sure they’d figure a way off the island.”
Favorite sports team: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Favorite piece of tech: “HDTV—it takes TV viewing to a whole new level.”
Least favorite piece of tech: PowerPoint presentations

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