100 | UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP
Why Them? The Outdoor Channel became big game for companies hoping to gain sizeable standing in outdoor sportsmen circles. The players in the hunt, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment LLC and InterMedia Outdoors Holdings, locked horns this year in a contentious bidding war that saw the network’s shares rapidly rise. In the end, Kroenke prevailed, and Outdoor is under new ownership as of May. Hornish and Brown are behind the network’s popular lineup and international presence that drove up the closing price. The two blaze trails for The Outdoor Channel, bringing it inside millions of homes both here and aboard in 100% pure, HD goodness.
Hornish
Apple or Samsung? Apple (although I was slow to move away from my blackberry to the iPhone until just a few years ago. Now that I have, I’m totally hooked—but still like my PC while sitting at my desk).
Beatles or The Rolling Stones? Beatles
On a Saturday afternoon, you can find me… watching my son’s lacrosse or basketball game.
My new year’s resolution for 2014 will be… as it has been over the past 10 years (but haven’t been able to do because of business priorities and schedule): To get out and enjoy the great outdoors more with my family.
Appetizer or dessert? Dessert—definitely!
I consider this person my mentor, and here’s why: Lt. Col. Bill Phillips. As a young, new pilot working in a flying training squadron, he taught me (and I saw the great results) that recruiting the best people for the job is what really makes a great organization; he also taught me how important it is to be a decisive leader.
Favorite airport? Any that I can fly into myself
I watch the majority of programming on this device: Living-room big screen
Celebrity, sports figure or politician I’d most want to have dinner with? Chuck Yeager—not just because of his flying career, but he is also such an avid outdoorsman—often taking adventures/expeditions into the Sierra Nevada mountains for multiple weeks that I’d love to hear more about.
If I could tell my 21-year-old self something today, it would be… be sure to do something that you enjoy, that way it’s not really work.
I wish Congress would just… work together while being tolerant of all views, not just their own.
Favorite business and/or motivational book? Good to Great by Jim Collins
Brown
On a Saturday afternoon, you can find me… anywhere outdoors… golf course, beach, state park, hiking trail or backyard.
My peers would be surprised to learn that I… played the part of Pish-Tush in my 6th grade school play The Mikado.
Appetizer or dessert? Appetizer for sure, especially anything seafood
I consider this person my mentor, and here’s why: Former ESPN boss George Bodenheimer. As a rookie 23-year-old account rep, he instilled in me the importance of quality over speed, diligent preparation and professionalism, among many other career shaping attributes.
Favorite airport? Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. Always make time to stop by the Berghoff Café in Terminal 1 for a turkey on rye.
The movie that should never be remade? Caddy Shack
My favorite Cable Show memory: Can’t provide specifics, but it took place in New Orleans;-)
Celebrity, sports figure or politician I’d most want to have dinner with? Arnold Palmer
The biggest lesson I learned from my kid(s) this year was… an ominous lesson from a 20-year old-college kid… Broadband connection + Hulu + Netflix = no need for cable
Favorite business and/or motivational book? Getting to Yes
Favorite vacation spot? Onahu Lodge overlooking Rocky Mountain National Park in Grand Lake, CO ?
