DRAKE LOOKS TO NEW PRESIDENT & CEO JEFF HUPPERTZ TO EXPAND INTO NEW DIGITAL AND IP TECHNOLOGIES FOR CABLE OPERATORS
Accomplished Cable TV Veteran Seeks to Grow Established Brand Across Commercial and Hospitality Video Service Providers
FRANKLIN, OH – March 25, 2009 – R.L. Drake, an American cable TV equipment manufacturer committed to designing and building highly innovative communications solutions for over 65 years, today announced Jeff Huppertz as its newly appointed President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.
“A proven cable pro, Jeff’s commitment, knowledge and extensive relationships across the industry made him an ideal choice to succeed me,” said Ron Wysong, who is stepping down from his president and CEO positions after 45 years with Drake, while maintaining his role as the company’s chairman. “We feel extremely fortunate to attract someone of Jeff’s expertise, and I’m confident in his ability to build upon Drake’s American legacy and propel the company forward through this economy in a highly competitive industry.”
Huppertz joined Drake in October 2008 as Chief Operating Officer and in his new role, will oversee the expansion of Drake’s digital product offerings into key markets, leading the company through its next critical stages of growth. Drake provides a comprehensive suite of products designed to assist video network operators deliver digital services to their subscribers with the technical solutions they need to efficiently and effectively compete in residential, enterprise and hospitality service arenas.
“Drake’s rich history servicing the communications needs of cable operators, high level government agencies, renowned hospitality corporations, and digital entertainment providers has firmly established the company as a key supplier within the broadband sector. I want to give our outstanding engineering, manufacturing, sales and marketing departments the resources they need to continue to innovate and provide our customers with unbeatable products, service and value,” Huppertz said.
Over the course of his 25 years in communications technology, Huppertz’ resume has reflected accomplishments ranging from launching the first digital set-top used in Time Warner’s Full Service Network while with Scientific-Atlanta, to architecting General Instruments takeover by Motorola, the cable industry’s largest technology acquisition ever. Most recently, Huppertz served as Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at wideband silicon pioneer BroadLogic, where he successfully secured strategic investments from Time Warner Cable, Comcast, and BrightHouse.
Huppertz earned an MBA from one of the world’s most respected marketing business programs, Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Previously, he earned a BS in computer science from the University of Illinois’ College of Engineering, birthplace of such world-renowned innovations as the first supercomputer and the first internet browser. Blending both business savvy and technical prowess, Huppertz is a named inventor in three patents in the area of broadband systems.
About R.L. Drake
Headquartered in Ohio, Drake is an American cable TV institution, designing and building innovative end-to-end communications systems and video engineering components for over 65 years. DrakeDigital™ headends are used in demanding locations worldwide, from the White House Situation Room to Iraq’s Green Zone, Disney’s cruise ships to US Navy vessels, and even in remote Inuit Eskimo communities across the Arctic Circle. DrakeDigital™ systems are used by commercial, government, and MSO customers of all sizes. Drake arms multi-channel service providers with the technical solutions they need to efficiently upgrade their video networks to the latest digital technologies and effectively compete in the residential, enterprise and hospitality environments.
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For more information, please contact:
Pascale Marchand
Bob Gold & Associates
(310) 784-1040
Drake Digital Solutions
Take control of your digital strategy with digital solutions from Drake. Our solutions help rural operators offer channel line-ups comparable to those found in larger urban markets.
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