Cox Communications announced today that John Wolfe will take the reins as senior vice president and southwest region manager, effective immediately. The region is Cox’s largest nationwide and includes Las Vegas, Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas. Wolfe comes to the Southwest from Cox’s Northeast region, where he served as the senior vice president and region manager.
A nearly 30-year cable industry veteran, Wolfe has a demonstrated track record of success. After joining Cox in 1995 as part of the Times Mirror acquisition, he led the development of Cox’s government affairs, internal and external communications and corporate philanthropy strategies in New England, before being promoted to general manager, Northeast region in 2012. During his tenure as Cox’s Northeast region leader, Wolfe guided the company’s operations in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Ohio during a time of intense industry competition and company transformation.
Well-known in the communications industry for leading teams and working effectively with people, Wolfe’s abilities contributed to the Northeast’s company-leading customer satisfaction scores in 2012 and 2013. Prior to Cox, he served as director of public information for the National Cable and Telecommunications Association and managing editor for Cablevision magazine.
Wolfe’s appointment follows company veteran Steve Rizley’s recent retirement announcement.
“With his tremendous leadership abilities, combined with a strong sense for what it takes to compete in our industry, I am confident that John will ensure the Southwest region remains a focal point for aggressive investment, growth and innovation, starting with Cox’s Gigabit Internet deployments this year,” said Paul Cronin, senior vice president of customer experience for Cox. “Under John’s direction, Cox will continue to lead Arizona and Nevada as a significant employer, community contributor and technology enabler.”
Cox recently announced plans to offer Gigabit Internet speeds, 100 times faster than the average Internet speed in homes today, starting later this year with new developments nationwide. In addition, the company is aggressively upgrading existing neighborhoods in Phoenix and Las Vegas metro areas in the Southwest region. The first customers are expected to come online in Phoenix in October.
Wolfe will relocate to Phoenix, the company’s Southwest region headquarters, and site of a recently created national call center of excellence.
