23. Mary McLaughlin
23. Mary McLaughlin
Regional SVP, Western New England Region, Comcast Cable
Years in Cable: 17
Education: BS, Political Science, Bridgewater State College; JD, Suffolk University
Best Advice in 7 Words or Less: Work hard, stay focused and be nice.
With McLaughlin at the helm, the Greater New England region has received high marks for its financial performance in several categories—including employee engagement. Although she took up the mantle at the Western New England base in August, she was area VP for Greater Boston prior to her promotion. In June, when a tornado hit western Massachusetts, she established an employee natural disaster fund for affected staffers. Expect more from McLaughlin this year, including the region’s continued all-digital rollout, additional HD and on demand programming, and more talent management and leadership programs.
The one burning question I have for Siri on my iPhone 4S: Given the number of weather events that impacted our Region this year – tornado, earthquake, hurricane and Fall snowstorm – How many winter storms will we have this year?
My favorite meal that I can also prepare myself: Eggs any style
The one topping that should never be put on a hot dog: Hot dogs have no redeeming value
The biggest innovation in cable over the last year has been… Continued evolution of
IP video
If I had to pick a personal theme song, it would be… “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” theme song
My favorite restaurant: My house when my husband is cooking
My favorite “going out” town: NYC
The one thing I tell my kids about success in life: Ordinary men go nowhere (loosely adapted from one of Herbie Brooks speeches the 1980’s gold medal USA Hockey team)
My best technique for deterring time-wasting office visits from co-workers: Avert eyes…
My favorite coffee order at Starbucks: Grande, non-fat, no water, extra hot, light foam Chai
Act I would actually go see live: Rod Stewart
The top 3 most played selections on my iPod: “Don’t Stop Believing,” “Dream On,” “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant”
My favorite business and/or motivational book: “Never Eat Alone,” by Keith Ferrazzi
My favorite sports team: Stanley Cup champions Boston Bruins
My favorite vacation spot: Positano, Italy
My favorite iPad app: NECN weather!
This incident from my youth taught me an important lesson. What was the incident and the lesson?
When in high school I worked answering the door at the local rectory a few nights a week. The people who visited were there for a variety of reasons – some mundane, but many not so mundane. I learned early on to assess nonverbal queues and be able to respond to nearly any personal situation in the matter of a minute or two.
My guilty television pleasure is: “Glee”
When I look at my cable set-top box, I can’t help but think that… I have the best job in the world!
If I could only have authenticated online access to 5 cable networks (not affiliated with my company), they would be… ESPN, Disney
What puzzles me most about Millennials is… How to effectively raise one (or, in my case, two)?
What I admire most about Millennials is… Sense of purpose
How many companies have you worked for since graduating from college? Two arms of state government, one law firm, five cable companies and, oh yeah, there was that hostess thing to help with law school costs.