Spirit of the Midwest Awards Reception

1. 2014 Spirit of the Midwest Awards Reception

2. Since 2003, Pete has led the corporate communications function at Suddenlink. He and his staff -- in conjunction with colleagues in corporate and regional offices -- manage local, national, and trade media relations; help guide the company’s evolving use of social media; and contribute to financial communications, employee communications, and government relations projects.  Prior to Suddenlink, Pete was a SVP and Senior Partner at Fleishman-Hillard, an Omnicom company and one of the world's largest public affairs agencies. There, he consulted with organizations as diverse as Procter & Gamble, Monsanto, Johnson & Johnson, Anheuser-Busch, Dell and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Emcee – Pete AbelSVP, Corporate CommunicationsSuddenlink Pete started his career in 1985 as a freelance reporter, and later as a full-time staff writer for the (St. Louis) County Star-Journal, covering municipal politics and local businesses.

3. Keynote Speaker – Mary MeduskiExecutive Vice President, Chief Financial OfficerSuddenlink With more than 25 years of financial experience in the media and telecommunications industries, Mary joined Suddenlink in 2006, as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. She is also a member of the Board of Directors. Mary serves as Executive Committee member of WICT’s National Board. She is also a member of the Board’s Finance, Governance and Leadership Development Committees. Mary has been named to CableFAX's list of Most Powerful Women in Cable in each of the last eight years and has been named a Multichannel News Wonder Woman, Class of 2012.

4. Women in Cable TelecommunicationsMidwest Chapter

5. WICT develops women leaders who transform our industry. We partner with cable and telecommunications industry leaders to provide leadership programs and services, and challenge these companies to create professional advancement opportunities for women. We create bold, self-empowered leaders through advocacy and leadership training.

6. Spirit of the Midwest Winners • Rising Leader: Sally West Director, Finance Suddenlink • Spirit of the Midwest: Theresa Sunde Government Relations Manager Mediacom • Woman in Technology: Ginni Hartley Director, IT Suddenlink

7. Rising Leader: Sally West This award recognizes an industry woman, considered a newcomer to the industry, who has demonstrated her own personal leadership style and has become accomplished in both her job and in her working knowledge of the cable and/or telecommunications industry.

8. Sally is a dedicated and enthusiastic leader with a passion for serving her customers with excellence.  Since moving to St. Louis, she has made a tremendous impact on Suddenlink through her work with Project Velocity and her commitment to WICT’s Midwest Chapter.  Even though you can’t take Texas out of the employee, I’m very glad we were able to take the employee out of Texas! ~ Pamela Hermann VP, Management & Financial Reporting Suddenlink

10. Often times, “Rising leaders” are thought of as new employees to a company with developing leadership capabilities. In Sally’s case it is a bit different and I believe just as important, if not more important, to recognize managers that seize the opportunity to rise and meet a “leadership” opportunity within the same company. Sally, not only recognized the opportunity to rise to meet an important business challenge, but she also changed roles and moved her life to the Midwest. In the midst of those changes, she was instrumental in the launch of a new and successful business intelligence program for Suddenlink called “Velocity” which is targeted at helping Suddenlink remain a growth leader in the industry. ~ Jim Fox SVP Chief Accounting Officer Suddenlink

12. Having Sally as a personal friend has made me want to be a better person. As a professional friend, she has helped me realize that success lies with me. While we celebrated wins I learned most from her motivation, encouragement and support through professional struggles. I cherish her skill and dedication and have been the benefactor many times of her gentle honesty. ~ Cynthia Jackson Director Customer Care Suddenlink

14. Sally West is a warm and caring, high integrity manager who builds strong relationships and is dedicated to providing great service to her internal customers, regardless of which role she is in at the time. Sally has proven herself to be a trusted servant leader, always working to find ways to help others and accomplish the goals at hand. Her great sense of humor and warm sincere manner help put others at ease and makes others want to work with her. I have had the privilege of working with her through a number of roles and it has been a great experience. And, she is also a valued friend. ~ Randy Goad SVP Operations, Mid South Suddenlink

16. Congratulations, Sally, on this much deserved award.  Sally is an enthusiastic friend and leader who always has words of wisdom and encouragement.  Her optimistic attitude is infectious and she inspires everyone around her to strive for greatness.  One of Sally’s favorite quotes is from Theodore Roosevelt.  It describes that it is not the critic who counts, but that credit belongs to the person who tries again and again, because there is no effort without error. It is this person who “at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if [s]he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.” Sally dares greatly! ~ Julie Potthast Programming Manager Suddenlink

17. Spirit of the Midwest: Theresa Sunde This award recognizes an industry woman who has made significant contributions to the cable and telecommunications industry throughout her career, serves as a mentor and role model to others, exhibits leadership qualities that have made a difference in her organization, is a risk taker and groundbreaker, and inspires others. This woman is highly regarded by her peers and teammates for career accomplishments and quality work-life balance.

18. Theresa's favorite word is "LOL" and that perfectly captures her positive attitude and natural confidence.  Her engaging style combined with her results-oriented approach make her both formidable and fun! ~ Jane Bremer President Bremer Law, P.C.

20. Theresa is an outstanding representative of her company, her community and the cable industry. She is a true professional with strong ethics, but at the same time is approachable and fun to be around, making everyone feel welcome and valued.  I have many great memories of going to games, cable shows and events with Theresa over the years and I’m glad to call her a friend! ~ Jean Edhlund Manager, Distribution and Regional Sales Fox Networks

22. I was greeted on my very first day in the cable industry by Theresa Sunde.  She quickly impressed me with her commitment and focus.  Theresa understands the customers’ high expectations and she delivers and compels her colleagues to do so as well.  She is a true champion of our industry and is tireless in her work with Mediacom and our industry-wide efforts in Minnesota. It is also important to note “how” she gains her successes.   With class, respect, humor and integrity, she promises the experience to be a great one!   My favorite memory was how she handled a lovely elderly woman who continued to call to complain about the persistent but intermittent noise coming from her cable box.   Technicians could not locate or solve the problem, despite repeated visits.  Theresa told the woman to call her when she heard the noise again, and when the woman did, Theresa literally left a conference call to go to the woman’s home.  She quickly located an alarm clock that had fallen out of sight in back of her table.    Another happy customer, thanks to Theresa!   Congratulations on this well deserved honor, Theresa. ~ Tom Bordwell Senior Director Regional Government Affairs Charter Communications

24. Theresa has been a great asset to the Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce, serving as a board member and an ambassador. She received the Chamber Champion Award. Good character is more to be praised than outstanding talent. Most talents are to some extent a gift, but good character by contrast is not given to us, one has to build it by thought, choice, and determination. With this said, Theresa excels in her volunteerism and character and is deserving of such an award from our organization. ~ Kim Foels Executive Director Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce

26. Theresa is a genuine people person and the picture of common sense for our company and the cable telecom industry. She is passionate, professional and an excellent team player who cares. Highly respected by her peers, I can’t think of a better recipient of the WICT 2014 Spirit of the Midwest award. ~ Bill Jensen Regional Vice President Mediacom

27. Woman in Technology: Ginni Hartley This award recognizes an industry woman serving in a technical position who has contributed significantly to her organization as well as the cable and telecommunications industry. In addition to her technical expertise, she is a valued team member who is committed to supporting and motivating others.

29. Ginni is a supportive ally, confidant and friend to many in the organization.  She is always professional and accommodating.  She has proven herself to be a trusted leader and always errs on the side of what is right, rather than what is popular.  She self-assuredly tackles projects with knowledge to not only get the job done, but to achieve goals that others have thought were out of reach.  Ginni is a Woman in Technology to watch. ~ Erin Lorenz Senior Director, IT Suddenlink

31. When I realized that I would be working with Ginni on the Go It Alone/Operation Reliant project at Suddenlink, I was thrilled!  Ginni’s amazing knowledge of the industry and technology used to support telephony is mind-blowing!  She has been so patient with those of us new to this world and continually reminds us what acronyms mean.  She is very articulate when working with others and often uses visual aids as a method to explain complicated concepts.   The icing on the cake is that Ginni is great to work with and loves to laugh – that makes everything better!!   Congratulations on this well-deserved award!! ~ Randee Steffen IT Project Manager Suddenlink - Go It Alone Project

33. Ginni has the whip-smarts beyond mere mortals. She is expressive and joyful even on the rainiest of days. It’s my utmost pleasure to work beside her and share countless hours solving the most maniacal of problems.  Snaps for Ginni.. Woman in Tech!! ~ Katie Atkinson Manager, Integration Technology Suddenlink

35. Congratulations on your well-deserved award, Ginni!!  Reflecting back on all of our fun times between BCP, PRI, and NPG to name a few…what a ride!  Very proud of you, my friend.  Continued success! ~ Chandni Thakrar-Ochoa Senior Director, Technology Integration Suddenlink

36. I really enjoy working with Ginni.  She approaches her work with such enthusiasm and drive!!!   With an energy level beyond compare, she will  jump in with both feet to conquer any task at hand.    I can always trust that she will deliver on what was promised.     She truly leads by example!  Her dedication to Suddenlink is evident in everything that she does.   With all of her great qualities, what I admire most about Ginni is her love for resource capacity planning!!!!   WOW…what a special lady! ~ Beth Petti Vice President, IT Suddenlink

37. Special Recognition; Lifetime Achievement Patty McCaskill Senior Vice President, Chief Programming Officer Suddenlink Patty joined the Suddenlink team in 2003.  As Chief Programming Officer, she was responsible for managing all of Suddenlink’s content relationships with media ownership groups, television stations and cable networks. Patty is currently collaborating with Suddenlink’s new Chief Programming Officer, Kathy Payne, in preparation for her well-deserved retirement later this year.

38. Patty McCaskill Patty has more than 31 years’ experience in cable industry management and operations, with an emphasis in marketing, sales, customer service, programming, strategic planning and budget development. A member of the Cable Pioneers Class of 2002, Patty founded and served as a past-president of the St. Louis Chapter of Women in Cable Telecommunications.  She also serves on the Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM) Summit Planning Committee and co-chaired the 2003 CTAM Digital Conference.  In addition, she sits on the board of the National Cable Television Cooperative; serves as a trustee and member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Maryville University; and is a past member of the Board of Governors of the St. Louis/Mid-America Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

39. The Value of WICT – Mentorship Program Being part of the WICT Midwest Mentor program has changed my life.  I have received so much encouraging feedback and have accomplished things personally and professionally that I may not have even tried before. The WICT Midwest Mentoring program gave me such a great opportunity to connect with someone who challenges me to reach my potential. ~ Julie Potthast Programming Manager Suddenlink

40. The Value of WICT – Mentorship Program I am fortunate to have natural mentors within my own team at Suddenlink, but adding another advisor and advocate—one who can perhaps step back and see me from another angle—has helped me better identify my professional strengths and define my aspirations. ~ Lisa Shea Communications Supervisor Suddenlink

41. The Value of WICT WICT is Community – our careers stand on those that have come before us and paved the way, and rest in the desire to pay it forward to our next generation of female leaders.  ~ Julie Pozel Billing Manager Comcast

42. The Value of WICT WICT provides opportunities to learn new techniques and approaches to solving  an item I am working on at the office. During a board call or WebEx, most times, I observe a new item what would be helpful or useful to me that I can incorporate into a presentation or meeting prep I am working on.  ~ Denise Farley Senior Director, Revenue Asset Recovery Mediacom

43. The Value of WICT I am very lucky and proud to be a part of WICT and have learned a lot from attending both local and national events and programs.  I have gained valuable insight from all of the wonderful women I have met through this organization. ~ Julie Potthast Programming Manager Suddenlink

44. The Value of WICT Leadership, catalyst, and fearless are three words that come to mind as I reflect back on my WICT experience.  Through my WICT journey I have grown both professionally and personally and have had the opportunity to reflect on who I am and where I am going, all while acknowledging the journey is just beginning.     ~ Chandni Thakrar-Ochoa Senior Director, Technology Integration Suddenlink

45. The Value of WICT Through WICT I’ve connected with people in a variety of disciplines within my own company, as well as with others from networks, industry support vendors, and fellow MSOs. These friendly relationships, along with excellent WICT programming, have given me a broader and deeper understanding of the cable business. ~ Lisa Shea Communications Supervisor Suddenlink

46. The Value of WICT I became a WICT member in 2002 and have been on the  WICT Board of Directors for the Midwest Chapter since 2010. Through WICT, I have the opportunity to connect both professionally and personally with a great number of dynamic women and men in our industry. Through these connections, I have not only been given great opportunities, I’ve made great friends! ~ Theresa Sunde Government Relations Manager Mediacom

47. Thank you to our Sponsors! Platinum-Level Sponsors

48. Thank you to our Sponsors! Gold-Level Sponsors

49. Thank you to our Sponsors! Silver-Level Sponsors

50. Thank you to our Sponsors! Bronze-Level Sponsors