Kyle McSlarrow, who has been President & CEO of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) since March 1, 2005, announced Friday (11/19) that he plans to depart his position in the spring of 2011.
“Serving at NCTA has been a great honor, a wonderful learning experience, and personally and professionally rewarding. I have been proud to represent the cable industry, which I now regard as my home. I am truly grateful to the NCTA Board for having given me this opportunity and for their strong leadership and support,” said McSlarrow in a statement.
“Over the last several months, I have discussed with members of the NCTA Board my interest in transitioning to another role in our industry that would allow me to work more fully on business and operating activities. Earlier this week, I informed the NCTA Board of my decision to begin exploring opportunities now, and we agreed on the spring of 2011 as the target for my departure from NCTA,” he said. McSlarrow did not disclose any more about what he hopes to do next.
“Though I believe this is the right decision for me and my family, it was not an easy one. I regard the NCTA staff not just as professionals comprising the best in our business, but also as close personal friends and colleagues. I’m hoping to have the opportunity moving forward to continue collaborating with them, and to assist my successor at NCTA, in the important work we do for our industry,” McSlarrow concluded.
“For nearly six years, Kyle has successfully navigated the public policy interests of our industry during a period of significant change and substantial challenges. He’s led our industry to embrace many landmark initiatives, such as our work on the DTV Transition, the Adoption Plus proposal to advance broadband adoption in low income households, and highlighting parental controls and the importance of online safety,” said Patrick Esser, President of Cox Communications and currently chair of the NCTA Board of Directors.
“While we will miss Kyle’s friendship, pragmatic solutions and firm guidance, we’re grateful for his visionary leadership at NCTA and fully supportive of his decision to transition into his next endeavor. We’re also delighted that he intends to remain in our industry in another role,” said Esser. “The NCTA Board will form a search committee to conduct a national search for a successor. NCTA has long been recognized as one of the most effective trade associations in Washington, and we are committed to ensuring it remains so.”
“We are grateful for Kyle’s leadership and strategic vision, which have guided the NCTA and the industry through a time of great change. Kyle is respected as a tough but fair advocate for the issues critical to the success of the cable industry, and we wish him luck with his future endeavors,” said Glenn Britt, President, CEO and Chairman of Time Warner Cable.
McSlarrow was praised by Gordon Smith, President and CEO of the sometimes rival National Association of Broadcasters. “Kyle McSlarrow has served NCTA with class, distinction and integrity. He was particularly gracious to me when I made the transition from Capitol Hill to NAB, and I will forever be grateful for his wise counsel and friendship. We wish him well as he segues into another leadership role in the cable industry,” said a statement from former Senator Smith.
RBR-TVBR observation: Well, there are certainly a lot of former Members of Congress looking for work as of January!
