Neil Smit
Title: Pres/CEO, Charter Comm
Age: 51
Education: BS, Duke U; MA, Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy
Social Media Quotient: 4

Why Him? Smit relishes complex problems, and he clearly received one as Charter was tied up in NY bankruptcy court for months before the it approved a reorg plan in mid Nov. Now, Charter sports a healthier balance sheet and more operational flexibility. And with Charter’s DOCSIS 3.0 rollout, the MSO has delivered revenue growth in each ’09 Q while achieving gains in HSD and phone subs.

Upcoming: Smooth implementation of the reorg plan is key.

The Year Ahead:

Since Charter’s performed well despite financial troubles, increased flexibility should only help in launching products and services.

Favorite Restaurant: Joan’s Log Cabin

When I Need to Recharge, I…: Get out on any body of water.

Trait I Most Admire: Honesty

3 Things I’d Take to a Deserted Island: My family, a boat, a complex problem to solve that required input of many people.

Best Business Advice Received: Business is simple – don’t over-complicate it.

The Daily

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Spectrum Reach Leans on Seamless Entertainment, Data

It’s no easy task filling the shoes of someone who spent nearly five decades in the cable world. That’s the situation Jason Brown inherited when he became the head of Charter’s ad sales unit Spectrum Reach

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