Resume

LEONARD GRACE

1212 Zentwood Road • Tupelo, Mississippi 38801 • (662)844-6915 • leonardgrace@comcast.net • http://www.linkedin.com/in/leonardgrace

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Len Grace is the founder and editor of The Cable Pipeline, a Cable Industry Blog focused on highlighting pertinent and relevant issues within the Cable/Telecom arenas. His insights and opinions both inform and enlighten readers on current industry trends including Broadband, Digital Cable, Telecom, VOD, IPTV, Infrastructure, and Business Strategy. He is a Cable Industry veteran with over 18 years experience as a General Manager with Comcast Corporation, and currently serves as an Independent Consultant/Strategist and Blogger contributing to Light Reading Cable, an internationally syndicated technology news organization. He also contributes to BroadbandBreakfast.com, a daily web site with definitive and independent news on broadband stimulus funding, wireless internet, and the national broadband plan under the banner Expert Opinion. In addition, Len contributes to SiliconANGLE a blog reporting on Social Web and Tech Innovation, and to CISCO Community-Service Provider Community. Len is also an active member of the Association of Cable Communicators.

Key competencies include proficiencies in:

• Coaching, developing, and training employees at all levels

• Developing and obtaining operating goals within multiple site locations

• Providing analytical, support, and leadership to regional team

• Providing guidance, support, and counsel to team in areas of media relations and human resources

• Establishing and meeting customer growth goals in a challenging, and competitive environment

• Excellent communication (verbal & written) skills with both internal/external customers

• Successful implementation of regional and corporate goals, values, and strategies

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Contributor/Blogger, LightReading/Cable Digital News (July 2009 – Present)

Contributor and Blogger to Light Reading Cable reporting on relevant and pertinent issues within the Cable TV Industry on a weekly basis under the title, “The Cable Pipeline”.

• Blog address: http://www.thecablepipeline.com

 Founder & Editor – The Cable Pipeline supporting various organizations within the telecommunications and  sector                                                                                                                                                                 (April 2009 – Present)

• Website: http://www.thecablepipeline.com

Leadership, guidance, and expertise in areas of operations to include:

• Strategic analysis and recommendations

• Community Relations

• Government Relations

• Marketing Initiatives

• Sales and Retention Initiatives

• Employee Relations

• Regulatory Guidance and Initiatives

• Strategic Business Relationships

• P&L Analysis

• New Business Development

• Budgeting, Expense Analysis and Control

• Public Speaking

Senior Operations Manager, Mediacom Corporation, Columbus, GA (April 2002 – October 2002)

Led staff of 49+ associates with annual budget of $13 million including profit and loss, budgeting, forecasting, employee training and development, marketing initiatives, public relations, customer satisfaction, employee relations, expense control, and new business development

• Exceeded customer service satisfaction 6% and sales targets by 11% for 26,000-customer operation due to detailed strategic plan developed with employee collaboration

• Developed ancillary revenue streams over a six month period by creating sales and support with rewards for specific goal attainment, resulting in a 100% increase in targeted revenue areas

• Developed technical rotational schedule resulting in reduced overtime expense by 8% during a 3-month period

• Increased technical productivity 8% within a 3-month period through creation of Employee Efficiency Program to track individual and team performance

General Manager, Comcast Corporation, Tupelo, MS (October 1988 – May 2001)

Led staff of 50+ associates with an annual budget of $15 million and multi-unit branches within Northeast Mississippi, including overall budgeted goals and objectives.

Proficiencies include profit-loss, budgeting, forecasting, marketing, employee training & development, public relations, customer satisfaction, expense control and new business development 

• Increased area customer base from 13,000 to 32,000 over a fourteen year period

• Increased cash flow by 12% year to year

• Created a 10+ advertising sales team and led to increase sales from $200,000 to $1.2 million within an eight-year period

• Generated $1 million in additional cash flow within a one year period after acquiring contiguous cable system property

• Created local origination channel and programming, increasing revenues by $200,000 over a two year period while promoting community with local awareness

• Developed customer care team that reduced not-home appointments 15%, increased sales and connections 13%, while reducing service callbacks 10% through analysis and recommendations

• Trained associates in sales, human resources, customer service, community relations and FCC regulations and guidelines

COMMUNITY SERVICE EXPERIENCE

 Instructor, Tupelo Public School District, Tupelo, MS (February 2005 – Present)

Led classroom management and lesson plan implementation for students in grades 7 – 12. Provided ongoing class management and feedback regarding student progress and needs analysis

• Taught 150+ students in 7+ subject areas realizing 200+ hours of instruction in 2005/2006 academic school year

• Collaborated with teachers regarding lesson plans and implemented to academic standards, while monitoring students for success resulting in 100% call-back requests from teachers

• Provided consultation with principal regarding Junior Achievement funding and curriculum, resulting in funding solvency, including updates to more relevant student curriculum

• Recruited 4 business professionals to teach Junior Achievement within 28 classes at Tupelo Middle School, resulting in an increase of 4 new classes

Past Chairman / Co-Chairman / Consultant, Project Hope, Tupelo, MS (November 2003 – April 2007)

Served as chairman, and Consultant for local charity funding heart disease, cancer and diabetes awareness, prevention, and treatment for under privileged residents in local area communities.Offered leadership position in non-profit organization due to a successful business background in management to share expertise, and vision in developing team goals and objectives

• Recruited 5 board members and 2 volunteer teams for non-profit agency bringing depth and objectivity into organization, leading to new ideas and collaboration

• Created and implemented strategic plan that increased non-profit’s revenues by 28%, from $80,000 to $100,000 in one year, realizing the largest annual revenue increase in organization’s history

• Improved organization’s accounting procedures by implementing structured financial reports highlighting key data,non-profit compliance issues, and creating a focused picture for board to make strategic decisions

Program Manager, Junior Achievement of Mississippi, Inc, Tupelo/Lee County, MS (February 2006 – November 2007)

Served as Program Manager for non-profit organization soliciting business executives to teach Junior Achievement curriculum to students in grades 7-12 in Tupelo/Lee County school Districts. Served as President and board member for the Northeast Mississippi district for JA

• Achieved positive fund raising results first year as Board President

• Recruited business executives to the board and spearheaded a change in curriculum for 8th grade students within the district

EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS SCHOOL, Oxford, MS

Bachelor of Business Administration / Management

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Corporate Training in Management, Sales, Marketing, and Human Resources

Member LinkedIn Groups: CTAM, Leaders Café Foundation, Comcast Leadership Past & Present, Cable TV, NCTA, Association of Cable Communicators, U.S. Cable Industry, Cable Talent

Proficient with Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Internet, including Microsoft Outlook e-mail

Junior Achievement of Mississippi Outstanding Leadership Award for Northeast Mississippi

CIVIC AFFILIATIONS

Current Board Member/Immediate Past Chairman of the Board, Junior Achievement of Tupelo/Lee County, Mississippi

Junior Achievement of Mississippi Outstanding Leadership Award for Northeast Mississippi

Former Chairman, Human Resource Committee, American Red Cross, Northeast MS Chapter

Executive Committee Member/Former Chair of Project Hope/Festival (Fund Raiser for Cancer, Heart Disease, & Diabetes)

Former Member in Good Standing, Rotary Club of Tupelo, Mississippi

Tagged as: Guest Post