Gary McCollum of Cox Communications Named to 2010 Virginia Cable Hall of Fame

CHESAPEAKE, Va., Nov. 15, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Virginia cable industry leader Gary McCollum, SVP and General Manager of Cox Communications Virginia, will be inducted into the 2010 Virginia Cable Hall of Fame, the highest individual honor bestowed by the Virginia Cable Telecommunications Association (VCTA).  McCollum was honored by VCTA on Monday, Nov. 8 at a ceremony at the Williamsburg Lodge in Williamsburg, Va.

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"We are incredibly proud of Gary for having achieved this honor," says Jill Campbell, SVP Eastern Division Operations, Cox Communications.  "He is a dynamic and influential leader that brings vision, enthusiasm, and competitive edge to both the business of a running a statewide cable operation and to making a difference in the communities he serves."

McCollum joined Cox Communications in 1989 as a manager trainee in Hartford, Conn., and was later promoted to a variety of management roles, including Plant Operations Manager and Vice President of Customer Care.  He went on to serve as General Manager of Cox systems in Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia, Roanoke, and of the entire Virginia operation, a position he has held since February 2010.

McCollum's business acumen and dedication to community service have garnered him numerous awards.  In 2002, he received the Corporate Trail Blazer Award from the Fairfax County NAACP, and in 2003, he received the prestigious Vanguard Award for Cable Operations Management from the National Cable Telecommunications Association (NCTA).  Under his leadership, Cox systems in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads were both named "System of the Year" by Cable World Magazine.  In 2008, 2009 and 2010, he was selected by CableFAX as one of the "Most Influential Minorities in Cable."  McCollum also received the Community Service Award from the Virginia Beach NAACP this year.

McCollum regularly contributes to youth, education, and technology programs – all powerful drivers that have shaped his life.  Born in a housing project in Richmond, Va., McCollum was the first member of his family to graduate from college and supports activities that helps others experience the first-hand benefits of education.  He is active in the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula, Smart Beginnings, ACCESS College Foundation, and An Achievable Dream; and has been involved with the George Mason University Foundation and Joe Gibbs's Youth for Tomorrow, among other groups.  In 2009 – during one of the most challenging fiscal years in the nation's history – McCollum spearheaded the launch of Cox Charities and raised significant funds to support non-profit organizations in Virginia.

Prior to joining Cox, McCollum served as a military intelligence officer and was part of the elite U.S. Army Rangers.  He graduated from James Madison University, and holds an MBA from the University of Connecticut, with a concentration in telecommunications.  He is a native of Richmond, Va.

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

About Cox Communications

Cox Communications is a multi-service broadband communications and entertainment company with more than 6.2 million total residential and commercial customers.  The third-largest cable television company in the United States, Cox offers an array of advanced digital video, high-speed Internet and telephony services over its own nationwide IP network, as well as integrated wireless services.  Cox Business is a full-service, facilities-based provider of communications solutions for commercial customers, providing high-speed Internet, voice and long distance services, as well as data and video transport services for small to large-sized businesses.  Cox Media offers national and local cable advertising in traditional spot and new media formats, along with promotional opportunities and production services.  More information about the services of Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com, www.coxbusiness.com, and www.coxmedia.com.  In Hampton Roads, Cox has more than 400,000 basic cable subscribers.

About the Virginia Cable Hall of Fame

The Virginia Cable Hall of Fame honors individuals each year who have had distinguished careers in the cable telecommunications industry and who have strong ties to Virginia.  Past honorees include Brian Lamb, C-SPAN founder and CEO, and Decker Anstrom, president and COO of Landmark Communications, Inc. multimedia company and former NCTA president.  The hall of fame is led by the Virginia Cable Telecommunications Association, the state's industry trade association.  Established in 1966, VCTA membership is comprised of 50 cable systems serving more than 2.1 million subscribers in Virginia.  

SOURCE Cox Communications