Jerry Kent

Jerry Kent
Title: Chairman & CEO, Suddenlink Communications
Years in Cable: 32
Education: BA, MBA, Washington University in St. Louis
Best Advice: Customer service is the cornerstone of success.

Known as an entrepreneur’s entrepreneur, Kent was inducted into The Cable Center Hall of Fame in 2014, just the latest of his many industry accolades. Suddenlink saw record growth last year, posting its fifth straight year of customer relationship growth while continuing to post other financial and operating results that are among the best in the industry. Kent also oversaw the launch of Operation GigaSpeed, a $230 million, three-year investment to bring 1-Gig Internet to virtually all customers, and launched its first 300-Meg service. Look for his team this year to introduce 1-Gig service to the first of the company’s residential customers, as well as a new 50-Mbps flagship speed that eventually will move to 100 Mbps and beyond. Kent will also be in the spotlight at reimagined cable show INTX: The Internet & Television Expo, which he is co-chairing.

Should the industry embrace or reject “virtual MSOs” and why? Virtual MSOs are causing unbundling in front of our eyes, and consumers will want our superior broadband service for the best experience. Bring them on!
I wish Congress would just… be able to put politics aside, actually do something on a bipartisan basis, and fix the whole ridiculous Title II mess.
The technology that will most benefit cable over the next year is: It’s all about broadband.
Favorite vacation spot: Beaver Creek, CO, skiing with my family
Desert island album: Who’s Next by The Who