December 12, 2007

New Wireless Blood

Name: Keith Cowan
Title: President, strategic planning and corp initiatives, Sprint

Name: Jim Patterson
Title: VP, cable solutions, Sprint

Why Them? It obviously hasn't been the best year for Sprint. The wireless carrier's struggles led to CEO Gary Forsee's departure, and the company's now striving to simplify its business (including scrapping its WiMax pact with Clearwire). Part of that simplification process means nixing any future launches of Pivot, cable and Sprint's joint wireless service. Even so, both sides say their partnership isn't dead. What's next isn't clear, but Cowan and Patterson, as key liaisons to the industry, will likely have a finger in it. Despite the troubles, Sprint still has an amazing network—not to mention a slew of cable operators who rely on the company to help provide VoIP. Their work's more than cut out for them, but we're anxious to see what's next.  AM

Jim Patterson
The cable industry’s biggest challenge in 2008 is: “Defining converged services and leading the industry in wireless adoption.” 
The coolest new cable tech is: “Pivot” 
Defining career moment: “Being head of access management for Sprint on the day when WorldCom announced the largest corporate fraud in the history of US business. They were fraudulently capitalizing access expenses.” 
Person I most admire in the cable industry and why: “Carl Rossetti, EVP at Time Warner. A class act, all around great person who doesn’t beat around the bush.” 
Biggest cable surprise of 2007: “The continued erosion of ILEC local market share—it’s not over yet!”
Top personal achievement in 2007: “Spending my 40th birthday in July with family and friends in Venice, Italy.” 
Person (other than my current boss) who I’d most like to work for: “John Lasseter at Pixar”
In my free time, I like to: “Ski and hike in Colorado.” 
Favorite restaurants: “Magnolia Grill, Durham NC; Barking Frog in Seattle WA”
Favorite cities: “Fraser, CO and Davidson, NC”
Favorite line from a movie or TV show: “Bears beats Battlestar Galactica”  - from Season 2 of “The Office.” 
Favorite song: “Only the World” - Mandesa
Favorite TV show: “The Office”
Favorite movie: “Cars”
Favorite sports teams: “Kansas City Chiefs, Davidson College Basketball”
Favorite piece of tech: “My Pivot Phone.” 
My perfect vacation goes like this: “No e-mail, no cellphone, lots of nature, family and friends.”


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