February 11, 2010

Gary McCollum to Lead Cox Virginia

Janet Barnard, Former Northern Virgnia SVP, Takes Reins in Cox Kansas/Arkansas

CHESAPEAKE , VA – Cox Communications has announced that Gary McCollum has been elevated to the newly created role of Senior Vice President and General Manager of Cox Communications Virginia. Mr. McCollum previously served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Cox's Southern Virginia operations.

Jill Campbell, Cox Snioer Vice President Eastern Operations, said, "During Gary's 20 year career with Cox, he has demonstrated the ability to grow and maintain customers in intensely competitive environments. Gary's attention to customer satisfaction and his past leadership experience in Roanoke, Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads make him particularly well suited to this position."

Mr. McCollum will continue to be based in Cox's Hampton Roads office; however, he will now oversee the company's operations in Northern Virginia and Roanoke as well as in Hampton Roads. Cox Virginia's combined operation has the ability to offer telephone, cable television and high speed internet service to more than 1 million homes and employs approximately 2,800 employees. Cox Virginia is the second largest regional operation in the Cox family.

"Cox has a long celebrated history in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We have great products, a state of the art network and a true commitment to each of the Virginia communities we serve. But even more than that, we have a dedicated team of employees who daily strive to meet our customers' growing and changing needs. In my new role, I look forward to strengthening Cox's presence in Virginia as a major employer, community supporter, and important contributor to the Commonwealth's economy," said Mr. McCollum.

Before joining Cox, Mr. McCollum, native of Richmond, Virginia and graduate of James Madison University, served eight years on active duty as a military intelligence officer for the U.S. Army. Mr. McCollum is currently a Mjor in the U.S. Army Reserves. During his active duty military career, he served with the elite U.S. Army Rangers.

Also, Mr. McCollum is engaged in numerous community and industry-related activities. His community involvement includes, but is not limited to, memberships with the following organizations: Virginia Cable Telecommunications Association; Norfolk State University Board of Visitors (Vice Rector); Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce; Hampton Roads Partnership; and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula.

Finally, Cox's Northern Virginia operations were previously led by Janet Barnard who recently was selected as Senior Vice President and General Manager for Cox's Arkansas/Kansas operation. She will begin this role effective February 22. During her tenure in Northern Virginia, Mrs. Barnard led her team to improved customer experience scores, increased network reliability, a reduction in field transactions and the fastest growth for a large market for Cox Business.

Janet's more than 22 years of operational expertise, demonstrated leadership experience, knowledge of the business and understanding of the competitive landscape will be key assets as we continue to grow our business and retain our customers in Kansas and Arkansas," Campbell said.

For more information, please call Felicia Blow at (757) 222-8432 or via email at Felicia.Blow@cox.com.


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