December 1, 2008

CableFAX: 32. Building Growth: Jerry Kent

Jerry Kent
Title: CEO, Suddenlink
Last Year: #27
Age: Much older after stocks collapsed
Ed: Washington U, BS Business Admin, MBA (& 25 years of telecom wars)

Why Him? Kent’s been through a lot this year — from hurricanes that battered systems to a retrans fight that saw a LIN TV station pulled for months in Austin, TX. Yet he’s continued to successfully migrate customers and systems from acquired properties to Suddenlink, a new-to-the-Top-10 cable op. This year it completed a 957-mile fiber ring in West TX for HD channels, VOD and other services, claiming it was the largest such construction in N America started in ’07. Another milestone was the introduction of digital voice. Suddenlink has some 170K subs, up from just 30K in early ’07. And the triple-play bundle is available to about 80% of its footprint.

Proud Moment: Newspaper readers in 12 markets voted Suddenlink’s high-speed Internet "best," including Russellville, AR, where it’s received the distinction for 7 straight years, and Amarillo, TX, where it’s been touted for 5 straight.

Year Ahead:
Following fiber buildouts, Suddenlink will continue beefing up its HD lineup.

Favorite Restaurant: Il Mulino, NY

In ’09 I Resolve: To improve my golf game (I’ve failed this for several years)

Fave Part of Job: Not being public!

Best Business Advice Received: In choosing your business partners, be as careful as you are in choosing a spouse.

Trait You Most Admire: Honesty

Sports Team: St. Louis Cardinals

AM

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