Gary McCollum to Lead Cox Virginia

~Janet Barnard, Former Northern Virginia SVP, Takes Reins in Cox Kansas/Arkansas ~

News provided by

Feb 18, 2010, 06:00 ET

CHESAPEAKE, Va., Feb. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox Communications has announced that Gary McCollum has been elevated to the newly created role of Senior Vice President and General Manager of Cox Communications Virginia. Mr. McCollum previously served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Cox's Southern Virginia operations.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100218/PH56554 )

Jill Campbell, Cox Senior Vice President Eastern Operations, said, "During Gary's 20 year career with Cox, he has demonstrated the ability to grow and maintain customers in intensely competitive environments. Gary's attention to customer satisfaction and his past leadership experience in Roanoke, Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads make him particularly well suited to this position."

Mr. McCollum will continue to be based in Cox's Hampton Roads office; however, he will now oversee the company's operations in Northern Virginia and Roanoke as well as in Hampton Roads. Cox Virginia's combined operation has the ability to offer telephone, cable television and high speed internet service to more than 1 million homes and employs approximately 2,800 employees. Cox Virginia is the second largest regional operation in the Cox family.

"Cox has a long and celebrated history in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We have great products, a state of the art network and a true commitment to each of the Virginia communities we serve. But even more than that, we have a dedicated team of employees who daily strive to meet our customers' growing and changing needs. In my new role, I look forward to strengthening Cox's presence in Virginia as a major employer, community supporter, and important contributor to the Commonwealth's economy," said Mr. McCollum.

Before joining Cox, Mr. McCollum, native of Richmond, Virginia and graduate of James Madison University, served eight years on active duty as a military intelligence officer for the U.S. Army. Mr. McCollum is currently a Major in the U.S. Army Reserves. During his active duty military career, he served with the elite U.S. Army Rangers.

Also, Mr. McCollum is engaged in numerous community and industry-related activities. His community involvement includes, but is not limited to, memberships with the following organizations: Virginia Cable Telecommunications Association; Norfolk State University Board of Visitors (Vice Rector); Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce; Hampton Roads Partnership and the Boys and Girls' Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula.

Finally, Cox's Northern Virginia operations were previously led by Janet Barnard who recently was selected as Senior Vice President and General Manager for Cox's Arkansas/Kansas operation. She will begin this role effective February 22. During her tenure in Northern Virginia, Mrs. Barnard led her team to improved customer experience scores, increased network reliability, a reduction in field transactions and the fastest growth for a large market for Cox Business.

"Janet's more than 22 years of operational expertise, demonstrated leadership experience, knowledge of the business and understanding of the competitive landscape will be key assets as we continue to grow our business and retain our customers in Kansas and Arkansas," Campbell said.

For more information, contact Felicia Blow at (757) 222-8432 or [email protected].

About Cox Communications:

Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet, telephone and wireless services over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S. cable TV company, Cox serves 6.2 million residences and businesses. Cox Business is a facilities-based provider of voice, video and data solutions for commercial customers and Cox Media is a full-service provider of national and local cable spot and new media advertising. Cox is known for pioneering efforts in cable telephone and commercial services, industry-leading customer care and its outstanding workplaces. For six years, Cox has been recognized as the top operator for women by Women in Cable Telecommunication; for four years, Cox has ranked among DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity; and the company holds a perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index. More information about Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com and www.coxmedia.com.

SOURCE Cox Communications