July 1, 2007

Backtalk

Got news, quotes or photos of people in the broadband cable engineering community? Send it to mrobuck@accessintel.com for possible inclusion on this page in future issues.

People

Comcast hires Murphy

Comcast announced the hiring of Dan Murphy as the new vice president of engineering for the Southern Division. Most recently, Murphy, who has more than 25 years of experience in the cable TV industry, was vice president of field technical operations for Charter.

Cox Promotes Hogan

Cox Communications recently promoted Seth Hogan to vice president, data product management. In his new role, Hogan will be responsible for the leadership of Cox's high-speed Internet service.

Cablevision Promotes White

Cablevision promoted Peter White to senior vice president, logistics. In this role, he will oversee all aspects of Cablevision's supply chain activities including purchasing, consumer equipment forecasting, warehousing, distribution, inventory management, transportation and fleet administration.

Davis Joins Imagine

Imagine Communications hired Mark Davis as vice president engineering - network systems and support. Prior to Imagine, Davis was with BigBand Networks.

From the Blog

At CT's Inside Cable-Tec Expo blog, Ron Hranac explains his show picks:

"As in past years, SCTE's Cable-Tec Expo is without a doubt the busiest trade show that I attend. By the time I wander into the Orlando Convention Center, the entire week's schedule will be pretty much packed to the rafters.

"Somewhere in all of this, I'll manage to find time to wander the exhibit hall looking for interesting and clever goodies and gadgets for my 'Expo Show Picks' column. This has become an annual tradition, one that generates occasional feedback from some vendors who wonder why I didn't pick their product, and thanks and a bit of genuine surprise from those who found they were included.

"Let's look at just how I go about my show picks effort each year. First, I peruse the Expo exhibitor list to see who is and who is not at the show. Next, I take a look at the show dailies and product fliers that stack up outside of our hotel room doors each morning. I also chat with industry friends and colleagues at the show, asking about what they've seen. From all of this I make a preliminary list of booths to visit.

"I also make a dedicated effort to walk the entire show floor (Friday is great for this) keeping an eagle-eye open for things of interest.

"When it's all said and done, I sit down and review the brochures, data sheets, and my personal notes, then put together a first draft list of what caught my attention. More often than not, that list includes out-of-the-mainstream gadgets that are just downright interesting. Some of those things may not even be high-tech or state-of-the-art.

"After whittling down the list, I write the column manuscript for CT. Up until this point, I'm the only one who knows what's on the list - chosen vendors don't get any advance notice. Only when the issue in which the column is published is the list revealed."

 Ron Hranac