Introducing 2017’s Cable TV Pioneers
The Cable TV Pioneers will induct 20 executives into its 51st class of pioneers, including BET’s Debra Lee and Showtime chairman Matt Blank. The group, which was founded in 1966 during an NCTA convention, has grown from 21 entrepreneurs to more than 700 men and women over the past 50 years.
With the demise of NCTA’s annual trade show, the Cable TV Pioneers banquet will move to precede the opening of SCTE/ISBE Cable-Tec Expo on October 17. The black tie ceremony will take place at Denver’s Brown Palace. Last year, the group held a gala to celebrate its 50th anniversary, with Comcast CEO Brian Roberts and Time Warner chief Jeff Bewkes among those inducted.
The 2017 class swelled to 20 members from 14 the previous year. “Just as our industry grows broader and more robust, so do the number of nominees for the Cable Pioneers. It’s obvious from this year’s class that our membership consists of men and women who make significant contributions to the growth of our industry and our communities,” Pioneers chair Susan Bitter Smith said in a news release.
The 2017 Cable TV Pioneers Class:
Tom Adams Charter Communications
Matthew Blank Showtime Networks, Inc.
Steve Brett GCI Liberty Corp.
Jack Bryant ComSonics
Cynthia Carpenter Charter Communications
John Chapman Cisco
Anne Cowan CTAM
Chris Dunkeson Comcast Corporation
Jana Fay C-SPAN
Charlotte Field Charter Communications
Tony Finger CommScope
James George American Cable Services
Tim Gropp Arris
Larry Hanson Ambit Project Management
Dale Hopkins GSN
Debra Lee BET
Sean McGrail NESN
Ron McMillan Time Warner (Retired)
Jay Vaughan DSV Services
Richard White Consultant
