Gone (or Going) But Not Forgotten

Name: David Abraham
Title: Former president, TLC

Name: John Alchin and Larry Smith
Title: Retiring co-CFOs of Comcast

Name: Tim Brooks
Title: Retiring research head at Lifetime

Name: Billy Campbell
Title: Former president, Discovery Networks

Name: Rich Cronin
Title: Former president of GSN, Fox Family, TV Land
Age: 53
Years in Industry: 25
Years left in Industry: 25

Name: Judy Girard
Title: Retiring president, HGTV

Name: Alex Netchvolodoff
Title: Former SVP, public policy, Cox Enterprises

Name: Laureen Ong
Title: Former president of National Geographic Channel

Name: Maureen Smith
Title: Former president, Animal Planet

Name: Pandit Wright
Title: Former senior EVP, Human Resources

Name: Lynn Yaeger
Title: EVP, corporate affairs, Time Warner Cable

Why Them? We just think it’s nice to acknowledge those who in the last year made a difference in the industry—even if they have or will soon move on to other things. Some are retiring. Others are entering a new phase of their careers. Whatever the reason, the CableFAX 100 salutes their service (and we hope many of them will eventually find their ways back into the industry… if they haven’t already!).  MG

Rich Cronin
What is your favorite word? “Defenestrate”
What is your least favorite word? “Like”
What turns you on? “Hanging out with my kids.”
What turns you off? “Colonoscopy”
What sound do you love? “Laughter”
What sound do you hate? “Gas-powered leaf blowers”
What profession other than yours would like to attempt? “Heart surgeon”
What profession would you not like to participate in? “Coal miner”
If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? “What took you so long?”

Alex Netchvolodoff

I knew the cable industry was for me when: “I understood just how entrepreneurial to industry is.”
The cable industry’s biggest challenge in 2008 is: “To keep its competitive juices flowing.”
Person I most admire in the cable industry and why: “Jim Robbins because prior to his retirement his stewardship of Cox Communication was visionary, entrepreneurial, principled, and productive… indeed a model followed by the rest of the industry.”
Biggest cable surprise of 2007: “Martin’s anti-cable behavior”
Top personal achievement in 2007: “Easing into retirement.”
In my free time, I like: “Fly fishing, tennis, reading and gardening.”
My most embarrassing cable moment was: “Falling on the pavement and tearing my rotator cuff just prior to my retirement dinner.”
Favorite city: “London”
Three things I would take with me to a desert island: “Mozart, Shakespeare and a fly rod.”
I wish cable would: “Find a way to restrain the outrageous effect that the sports leagues are having on programming costs.”
Favorite piece of tech: “The Internet”
Least favorite piece of tech: “Air traffic control”
My perfect vacation goes like this: “Fishing, tennis, skiing, reading and good food.”
The world would be a better place if: “Everyone could take advantage of the power of love over hate.”
What is your favorite word? “Love”
What is your least favorite word? “Hate”
What turns you on? “Life”
What turns you off? “Gossip”
What sound do you love? “Great music”
What sound do you hate? “Jet planes overhead”
What profession other than yours would like to attempt? “Writing/Teaching”
What profession would you not like to participate in? “Banking”
If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? “As a sinner, he nevertheless tried his best to remain obedient to God’s expectations.”

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