June 10, 2008

Pipeline Profile: Dick Amell

New At-Large Director

SCTE member since 1977

Title: VP engineering, Time Warner Cable National Division

Broadband Background: Dick Amell is the SCTE's newly elected at-large director, representing the entire membership. In his "day job," he is vice president of engineering for the Time Warner Cable National Division.

How did you first get involved in cable and the SCTE?

My first job in cable was chief technician in a small Cox Cable system in upstate New York in 1970. I first became aware of SCTE when I attended a conference on construction practices. I believe that was around 1980. I served on the board of the Chattahoochee Chapter in Atlanta for many years.

What prompted you to run for a seat on the board?

When asked by Wendell Woody to consider running, my initial reaction was negative. After all, who has time for any additional commitments these days? After considering it more carefully, I realized my experience might be of some value to the Society. It's time to give back something to an organization that has been so helpful to so many for so long.

What do you see as the key issues in your region?

As board member at large, my region will be the entire country. Many issues such as training are common to all regions.

What do you see as the key issues for the SCTE and the industry as a whole?

The ability of small cable systems to compete is in doubt. Many of SCTE's members are employed by small operators. I believe SCTE can help those small operators by exposing them to solutions that provide cost-effective ways to compete.
 
Can you share any memorable experiences from your time in the industry?

It has been an incredible ride moving from six channel video-only systems before the days of set-top boxes to the complex systems of today offering digital video, digital phone and high-speed data. The whole time has been memorable to me, but no doubt pretty boring to others. My personal challenge continues to be staying informed and relevant in a rapidly changing industry.