Bowick's Bow

Cox chief Pat Esser this week announced a realignment of his direct reports, effective Jan 1. Changes include integrating IT and engineering under Scott Hatfield, who will become svp, technology. Chris Bowick, svp, engineering, plans to retire in ’09 but will help integrate the 2 organizations. "The five areas of how we will be organized are around people, financial services & business support, products & strategy, platform and technology and operations," Esser said in a memo obtained by CableFAX. ( Travel Channel will also continue to report to Esser.) Newly named COO Leo Brennan ( Cfax , 12/10) will oversee field ops, field services, customer care, marketing public affairs, Cox Media and Cox Business. That shifts some of the areas that had reported into Esser to Brennan as the COO post has remained vacant since Esser was upped to pres in ’06. Chief People Officer Mae Douglas will head "People Services." CFO Mark Bowser will lead "CFO and Business Support," with law & policy, headed by Jim Hatcher, now reporting to him instead of Esser. Product management, new biz dev and strategy will be headed by svp Dallas Clement. "My role will remain the same, but now I will have more time to look over the horizon and pay attention to the larger and longer-term business issues like our product portfolio, next generation business opportunities, public policy concerns, communications, and industry-related issues," Esser wrote. A Cox rep said the changes help the MSO retool as it moves into new ventures, including wireless.