Candidates' Information for Call-in Forum cablecast by Cable Co-op; live Web page by PGC. [click here for election information] [And here to return to live forum]
Palo Alto
Occupation: Research Project Manager
Education: B.S. Chemistry, Oklahoma State University; Ph.D. Chemistry, University of California at Berkeley.
Experience: Forty Years in Chemistry and Physics Research and its management; 20 years with Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto; 4 years with Lockheed Palo Alto Research Laboratory; 13 years with SRI International, Menlo Park; 2 years with Physics International, San Leandro; 12 years service on Cable Co-op Board of Directors.
Statement: Cable Co-op faces major competition in the next 10 years. The next 3 years will be crucial ones in which we position ourselves to both meet and beat it. To raise the capital required for repositioning, I favor offering investment opportunities and partnering to our member/subscribers first, the City of Palo Alto and the other cities in our franchise area second, Silicon Valley high-tech companies third, and other institutions and companies last. I favor increasing the quality and quantity of local origination programming as a significant method of distinguishing ourselves from cable industry competition.
Palo Alto
Occupation: Director of Marketing in Data Networking Start-up
Education: B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Masters in Business Administration from Harvard Business School.
Experience: Fifteen years of experience in the high-technology industry. held management positions in design engineering, finance (Budget and Planning Manager at Intel Corporation with responsibility for the company's capital budget), consulting (Strategic Planning and Organizational Issues), and marketing (managed $200M+ product line at 3Com Corporation).
Statement: As a current director of Cable Co-op, I focused on controlling cable subscription rates that were already high, on increasing membership through creative marketing programs, and on starting an evaluation of the Co-op's long term strategy. I was also very instrumental in bringing international programs, such as the BBC and Radio France International, as part of our new audio FM service.
My program is the following: continue controlling rates, help steer Cable Co-op into the information superhighway in order to provide all of us with an even wider array of innovative high quality services, and further increase the Co-op's involvement with the community.
Palo Alto
Occupation: Vice President Engineering, Make Systems, Mountain View
Education: B.S. Computer Science, North Carolina State University
Experience: Twenty years in Computer Industry with primary interest and responsibilities in the networking and communications business. Experience managing all aspects of high-tech engineering organizations between 10 and 120 engineers, managers and technicians.
Statement: Cable Co-op is your pirmary link to our community information superhighway. As a member of the Board of Directors, I will continue to stress the importance of customer support, updated programming options, and the involvement of our viewing audience in the services provided.
Our unique position as a community-owned provider allows us to tailor our offering to the viewers and not be "hostage" to generic Super-Cable programming providers. I will actively pursue providing our viewers advanced services including interactive television, on-demand programming, and access to advanced digital services including Internet access. Allow me the opportunity to represent your needs as a member of the Board.
Palo Alto
Occupation: CEO, S3D Corporation. Mr. Fuller is an award winning television producer and a visionary designer specializing in the creation of virtual reality applications. His career has centered on high technology ventures where he has held progressively responsible executive management positions and participated in business development, product design, marketing, public relations and international marketing.
Education: Mr. Fuller studied Graphics Arts and Design at the Riijksacadmie (Royal Academy of the Arts Amsterdam, the Netherlands); Business Administration at Arizona State University, Tempe Arizona; Mass Communications, Journalism, Computer Science and Engineering Physics at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona.
Experience: During the recent five years Mr. Fuller has served as an industry analyst and consultant on virtual and simulation technologies for applications with broadband communications for international clients such as Pacific Bell/Pacific Telesis video Services, SATCOM, Fujitsu, Justsystem, Chinon, Virtual Reality Laboratories, Sega Enterprises, LANPRO, WINLABJ, WARP, Spatial Media Corporation, Hewlett-Packard, and Kaiser Electronics.
Mr. Fuller is currently establishing a new consumer virtual reality network on Pacific Telesis Video Services' broadband cable system. The network will deliver virtual reality and simulations to 10 million California homes by the year 2000. Mr. Fuller recently served on the five member CALREN Council (Pacific Bell's "California Research Education Network"), reviewing proposals and making recommendations for $65 million in granted telecommunications services for California's "Information Superhighway." Mr. Fuller also served on Pacific Bell's Consumer Advisory Group for Persons with Disabilities, which reviewed products and services and made recommendations on improving services for consumers with disabilities.
Mr. Fuller was awarded a 1990 Telly Awarded for Corporate Video and was nominated for an IRIS Award in 1981 for "Outstanding Science Reporting" for his ABC documentary on the Voyager II spacecraft's encounter with Saturn. Mr. Fuller has worked with several Native American tribes throughout the Southwest to document and preserve their vanishing cultures. Since 1990 he has been experimenting with head mounted camers and display systems to document the experience and point of view of people with disabilities, and is a public access producer with MPAC.
He is the author of several whitepaper reports on telecommunications including United Nation's report "The Advancement of Culture Through Technology" and a report on multimedia technology for the Corporation on Disabilities and Telecommunications. Mr. Fuller was the Commissioner of Arts and Culture and Historian for the City of Tucson, Arizona and helped establish Tucson's non-profit public access center and MPAC (Media Political Action Committee) to assure political support for public access in Arizona.
Statement: I believe in community ownership of telecommunications resources -- not to censor or control, but to assure the community's unique talents and cultures have a voice among the mass produced ideas and stories told to millions of parents, children and grandparents simultaneously. In the face of increasing rates of change brought about by new and emerging communications technologies, it will be important to have a free forum for the exchange of ideas and information. I recognize the Cable Co-op as one such forum and I will dedicate myself to maintaining its viability and continued success. I will also work with the staff and interested members of the community to seek our new technologies to assure competitiveness, technological and social relevance.
Menlo Park
Education: B.A. Chemistry, Principia College; Solid and Hazardous Waste Management, U.C. Santa Cruz; Solid and Hazardous Waste Management, Southern Methodist University; Teacher Education, Holy Names College.
Experience: Marie Callendar Restaurants, Sales Representative; MTS Environmental Services, Site Manager; Ravenswood City School District, Standard Committee, Curriculum Committee; San Mateo Education Office, Program Quality Review.
Statement: Television plays an important role in the education and development of our young people. As an educator, I come in contact with young viewers and their parents during school meetings. I have unique opportunities to listen to parents, students and school administrators about the nature of programs available for children. I will bring to the Board my experience with the students, parents, teachers and administrators to help formulate policies that are community based.
Palo Alto
Occupation: Patent Lawyer for twenty years specializing in electronics and telecommunications, and Senior Partner in the Palo Alto office of Townsend and Townsend Khorie and Crew.
Education: J.D. Northeastern University School of Law (1975); Special studies in patent law, Harvard Law School (1974); S.M. Electrical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1972); B.S. Electrical Engineering, Brigham Young University (1971).
Experience: "Ken Allen video Productions:" Volunteer community producer of the Mid-peninsula's own "Concert Time" and "High School Sports" seen on MPAC channel 6. Finalist for Western Access Video Excellence (WAVE) award for "Odyssey of the Mind". Involved in Palo Alto and Mid Peninsula school, community, civic and church activities for twenty years, specialist in emergency communications and disaster preparedness. (Assistant Emergency Coordinator of the Amateur Radio Emergency Services in palo Alto.) Graduate of Leadership palo Alto. Consultant, both legal and technical, in a range of technologies relating to telecommunications, computer technologies, broadcasting and utility regulations.
Statement: Ken Allen is not just another Board candidate. You see his prize-winning work on Channel 6, where he contributes thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours bringing you local events. You know him and his wife, Sue from their tireless volunteer work. Perhaps you are among his hundreds of high-technology clients. Ken bring unique and invaluable skills, experience and contacts to the Cable Co-op Boards. He has special insights into challenges of our locally-operated cable system. The cable system is a priceless asset. He knows its potential and shows the commitment needed for our system to succeed.
Menlo Park
Occupation: Information Infrastructure Programs Manager, Hewlett-Packard Laboratories.
Education: M.B.A. Stanford University (1976); B.A. Political Science and Psychology, Occidental College (1971)
Experience: Seventeen years with Hewlett-Packard (HP) in finance, marketing, systems management, and strategic planning. Represent HP on the technology policy committee of the Computer Systems Policy Project, working with Congress and the Administration on the National Information Infrastructure. Also represent HP on the Cross Industry Working team, a consortium of telephone, computer and networking companies developing a technical architecture for the National Information Infrastructure.
Helped create Smart Valley Inc., a public/private collaboration dedicated to building the information superhighway in the Bay Area. As a member of the Board of Directors, I lead the city related projects. The Bay Area Digital GeoResource (BADGER) project is a partnership of NASA Ames, Lockheed and many Santa Clara County cities creating a sharable, digital atlas of the Bay Area. The Smart Permitting project will allow businesses to submit permit applications and drawings over a network, saving time and money.
Director of the Alumni Consulting Team (ACT) program with the Stanford Graduate School of Business providing management consulting on a volunteer basis for non-profits in the Bay Area.
Statement: The major communications companies are preparing for a world of open competition, unregulated rates, new services and new players from many industries.
Cable Co-op is a small player on the global stage, but as a shareholder and customer, Cable Co-op is my communications carrier. I want Cable Co-op to survive the coming communications shakeout. And I want it to bring new services that will make it easier for me to work at home, that will add to the security of my home, give me better access to city services and schools, and provide me with news and entertainment when I want it, instead of on some broadcaster's schedule.
As a Board Member, my priority will be to develop a strategy that will help Cable Co-op make a rapid transition to a world of open competition and diverse services.
East Palo Alto
Occupation: Radio Station General Manager
Education: B. A., Howard University
Experience: Board Member, San Mateo County -- American Cancer Society; Board Member and Vice President, East Palo Alto Unity of American Cancer Society.
Statement: I believe that the Board is the heart and soul of an organization and should reflect the interests and concerns of its constituents.
Palo Alto
Occupation: Auto Parts Counter Person
Education: B. S. Finance, Menlo School of Business Administration
Experience: President, Board of Directors Stevenson House; Graduate, Leadership Palo Alto; YMCA Membership Committee; C.A.R. Fund Development committee.
Statement: As a long time resident of Palo Alto, I feel that I understand the needs of the community. Communication is, and will be, extremely important to our community. I would like to help keep Palo Alto on the cutting edge of communication.
Palo Alto
Occupation: Supervisor Kosher Foods
Education: Baccalaureate Quality Engineering Management, University of Phoenix; Associate Degree, Electronic Technology, RCA Institutes
Experience: Repair of Electronic Test Equipment, 7 years; financial guidance for small corporations; interfaced with top management at Atari, Measurex, RCA, Burroughs; 25 years as Senior Quality Assurance Engineer.
Statement: I would like to work with children, especially teenagers. Your Board wants to interface with the school system in Palo Alto area. Let us get and keep these children off guns and drugs. We owe them a clean life.
I have never taken drugs; don't drink booze; do no smoke -- I never could smoke cigarettes. I used to smoke a pipe until my teeth loosened. I liked smoking Havana cigars until the idiot, Fidel Castro, ruined the cigar industry. I enjoy ballet, opera, concerts, Barbara Streisand, The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, Benny Goodman, The Dorseys, running and walking.
Palo Alto
Occupation: Retired Professor Emeritus, Economics, San Jose State University
Education: University of California at Berkeley; Columbia University; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Ph.D.
Experience: Manager, New Haven Cold Storage and Warehouse Company; Tax Analyst, Tax Research Department, State of North Carolina; Editor, California State Development Program, State of California; Founding member, Midpeninsula Health Service, (now Stanford Midpeninsula Health Service).
Statement: Palo Alto and its neighboring Midpeninsula communities have a unique cable TV and FM radio system owned and operated by the people who subscribe to it.
The high cost of building and financing the system, the need to upgrade it to take advantage of new technology, and the need to meet new powerful competition are our major challenges. Our Board of Directors needs to find creative solutions so as to enable us to retain control, increase service and programming, and bring our prices down. I believe that as a founding member of Cable Co-op and because of my many years of active involvement in this organization and similar community projects I can, as a member of the Board, contribute to that effort.
Palo Alto
Occupation: Senior Manager, Corporate Development, Apple Computer Inc.
Education: M.B.A., DePaul University; B.S. Loyola University
Experience: Corporate planning, strategic alliances, business development and strategic investments. Business areas include on-line services, interactive television and multimedia.
Statement: I've served on the Co-op Board of Directions and chaired the Programming (now Operations) committee since 1992. During this time, my committee oversaw regulatory compliance, program realignment and addressed challenges posed by the new Cable Act.
Looking forward, I believe entertainment programming is no longer enough. The Co-op can survive and thrive only by providing innovative localized programming and enhanced services -- such as data and multimedia communications -- and by becoming an exceptional community resource.
To accomplish this, I will help the Co-op forge alliances with technological, financial and community institutions, utilizing the unique community resources of Silicon Valley and Stanford.
East Palo Alto
Occupation: Retired from Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc.; Currently Office Manager at Waddell & Reed, Inc.
Education: B. A. Business Administration, University of Nebraska; Courser toward M.B.A. Business Administration, Creighton University; Dynamics of Human communication and Labor Management Relations, Foothill College; Management Development, Junior Achievement Advisor, De Anza College.
Experience: Subcontract Administrator, Lockheed Missiles and Space Company, Manager, Ponderosa System, Inc; Executive Director Trainee, Goodwill Industries of America, Inc.; Coordinating Director of Youth Programs, Greater Omaha Community Action, Inc.; Administrative Assistant, Veterans Administration Hospital -- Omaha, Nebraska and Palo Alto, California; Omaha Jaycees Board of Directors.
Statement: I think that the well balanced blend of education and experience that I would bring to the Cable Co-op Board of Directors is just the thing it would need to bring new and fresh ideas to this Board. I think that I could contribute to the continued success of the Cable Co-op Board of Directors.
Thanks you very much,
Jim L. Bell
Cable Co-op members may vote either by returning the ballot they got in the mail or by voting in person at the Annual Meeting on Sunday June 11 at 4pm at Cable Co-op's headquarters, 3200 Park Boulevard, Palo Alto, CA 94306. All ballots must be received at Cable Co-op's office by the time of the Annual Meeting.
Comments and suggestions on this Web page to:
Josh Wallace, Cable Co-op, josh@cableco-op.com
Fred Lakin, Performing Graphics, lakin@pgc.com
From the April 1995 Cable Co-op Election Information brochure.