Archive for June, 2008
Georgetown, TX
Until recently, it remained a relatively small town, but according to Suddenlink employees who work in the area – including long-time resident Lou Alsteen, the dispatch supervisor for the company’s Georgetown system – the city’s growth has exploded in the last five years.
That growth has been driven by two factors: a deluge of retirees moving in from other parts of the country and an influx of high-tech jobs in the graphic arts, computer manufacturing, and consumer electronics industries. (Two of Samsung’s advanced semiconductor plants are located only 20 miles south of Georgetown, while Dell’s world headquarters complex is less than 10 miles south.)
Georgetown has also seen corresponding growth in amenities for its expanding population. Alsteen recalls a day when Georgetown had one general store. “Now we have two large shopping malls with two more in the works,” he said, “plus new high schools, restaurants, theaters and plans for a state-of-the-art convention center.”
Robert LeCour – the Georgetown system manager who moved there a year ago – is impressed with the area’s growth, but he’s also impressed with the city’s efforts to maintain the historic character of the town and the natural beauty surrounding it.
Add comment June 27, 2008
Beware the Latest Scam
Sadly, it was only a matter of time before someone attempted to take advantage of TV viewers concerned about the digital transition.
Herb Weisbaum reports for MSNBC:
… a company called Universal TechTronics is running ads in newspapers across the country that offer a digital converter box (up to two per family) for free. The headline is a real attention-getter: “Public to get free TV without Gov’t coupon!”
The ad, which is made to look like a newspaper article, says the Miracle ClearView box “allows any ordinary TV a superior quality picture, better sound and free digital network channels – all for free.”
The problem is you can’t get the digital converter box for free, even if you use the “Certified Free Claims Code” listed in the ad. You have to buy a five-year warranty for $59 and pay shipping and handling fees. That brings the total cost of the free converter box to nearly $100!
The Better Business Bureau issued an alert today warning consumers about this offer. “This is a bad deal they are pushing and it’s a bad deal anyway you look at it,” says BBB spokesman Steve Cox.
In short, as always, consumer beware.
The good news: If you’re a Suddenlink customer, you’re covered — you shouldn’t have to worry about anything related to this transition.
June 24, 2008
Suddenlink/Covenant House PSA Wins Award
A Suddenlink partnership with Covenant House of West Virginia captured a 2008 Positively Outstanding Programming (POP) Award from Cable Positive . Cable Positive is the cable industry’s national, non-profit group dedicated to HIV/AIDS education, prevention and care.
Suddenlink won in the Community Partnership category for “Lies,” a public service announcement (PSA) it ran in partnership with Covenant House. Covenant House of West Virginia offers direct services for people in need, including an AIDS Residential Resource Program that was the focus of the PSA.
Trish Lindsay, Sales and Marketing Coordinator for Suddenlink’s Atlantic Region, accepted the award on behalf of the company at Cable Positive’s 7th Annual POP Awards ceremony, held June 10 in New York City. Winners in a dozen other categories also were recognized.
June 23, 2008
Suddenlink to Build Larger Call Center in W. Va.
Dave Bach, Suddenlink’s Atlantic Regional Vice President, said, “We certainly had many options to build this facility in other parts of the state, or other states for that matter. However, Wood County is the right fit for many reasons, but first and foremost is the exceptional work force already in place.”
Suddenlink’s growth is great news for the Parkersburg area, and the company made a wise choice to continue to invest in West Virginia’s work force,” said West Virginia U. S. Senator Jay Rockefeller. “As so many companies have come to appreciate, West Virginia workers are unmatched in productivity and dedicated customer service.”
In addition to building the new 18,000-square-foot facility, Suddenlink expects to increase the call center’s full-time employment from 188 to 221, an increase of 33 employees. “These are good paying jobs with full benefits,” Bach said. The regional call center will serve Suddenlink’s 240,000 video, Internet and phone customers in a five-state area centered in West Virginia.
“We are pleased that Suddenlink has chosen to stay, and grow, in West Virginia,” said Governor Joe Manchin. “It is a positive reflection on the dedication and productive work ethic of our work force.”
The facility will be one of five call centers the company operates. Suddenlink is the largest cable broadband company in the state and provides video, high-speed Internet and phone service throughout most of its West Virginia footprint.
Wood County Commission President Bob Tebay said, “The Commission certainly appreciates having Suddenlink as a significant employer and values their long term commitment to the area.”
June 13, 2008
Menendez, Kutz Join Suddenlink
Menendez has a 20-year career as a marketing and finance executive. Most recently, he was Vice President, Customer Insights/Customer Relationship Management, with Sprint Nextel in Overland Park, Kan. Before joining Sprint, he was Senior International Accountant for Emerson Electric, headquartered in St. Louis.
At Suddenlink, Menendez will focus on customer loyalty efforts and help develop new tools to drive sales. He has an MBA from St. Louis University and holds a CPA in the state of Missouri. He is a native of Granite City, Ill.
Kutz has more than 25 years of telecommunications engineering and managerial experience with extensive work in fiber optics, wireless communications, wide area networks and NOC (network operations center) operations. Most recently he was vice president of engineering for start-up China WiMax, based in St. Louis. Earlier he was director of engineering at Xspedius Communications in St. Louis.
Kutz will be based in St. Louis and will oversee Suddenlink’s Network Operations Center, based in Tyler, Texas, which monitors Suddenlink’s platforms, backbone and other network elements. Kutz has a Master’s degree in Telecommunications Management from Webster University in St. Louis and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Technology from Southwest Missouri State University. He is a native of St. Louis.
June 13, 2008
Brief Hiatus
Thanks.
June 6, 2008
Suddenlink Bolsters Food Drive
Congressman Rodney Alexander (left) watches as a representative from Peabody Magnet High School accepts a check from Tony Cifelli, Suddenlink, and Jayne Wright, Food Bank of Central Louisiana.
Conducted April 7 to 25, the program (”Can Share”) involved schools in seven Central Louisiana parishes and achieved record results.
Each year, Congressman Alexander awards a certificate to the school that collects the most food for the annual drive. This year, Suddenlink added an incentive by offering financial rewards to the top three teams in each category: high school, middle school, and elementary school. As a result, this year’s drive collected approximately 9,000 pounds of non-perishable food items, more than three times the usual amount.
The top collector was Peabody Magnet High School in Alexandria. On May 16, Suddenlink Field System Manager Tony Cifelli, Congressman Alexander, and Food Bank Executive Director Jayne Wright held a cook-out for the Peabody ROTC, which spearheaded the school’s effort. There, they presented the group with a $500 check for its winning effort.
June 3, 2008
