2013
Spirit of the Midwest
Awards Reception
Emcee - Andy Parrott
VP, Technical Operations
Suddenlink
Andy has worked in the telecommunications industry for nearly 20
years, beginning at Charter Communications. He has been part of the
Suddenlink team for the past nine years. Andy’s primary focus is to
ensure an excellent customer experience from Suddenlink’s
maintenance, service, and fulfillment activities across all lines of
business.
Andy volunteers much of his time to SCTE and its mission to provide
professional development, certifications, standards, and information. He
serves as Chairman of the Certification Sub-Committee, Member of the
Professional Development Committee, and Board Member for the
Gateway Chapter. He also served as Co-Chairman of the 2010 Chapter
Leadership Conference.
Keynote Speaker – Mary Meduski
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Suddenlink
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 Chair and 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 seven years and has been named a Multichannel News Wonder
Woman, Class of 2012.
Women in Cable
Telecommunications
Midwest Chapter
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, selfempowered leaders through advocacy and leadership training.
Spirit of the Midwest Winners
• Rising Leader: Katie Atkinson
Manager, Technology Integration
Suddenlink
• Spirit of the Midwest: Jean Edhlund
Manager, Distribution and Regional Sales
Fox Networks
• Woman in Technology: Julie Sparlin
Manager, IT
Suddenlink
Rising Leader: Katie Atkinson
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.
Congratulations Katie, I am very proud
of you! We have been through a lot the
last five years…..what an
“adventure”!! You truly are a Rising
Leader, and I thank you for your
continued passion and dedication to
take care of our customers, and always
striving for excellence. I look forward to
the next 5…
~ Chandni Ochoa
Corp. Senior Director, Technology Integration
Suddenlink
Katie’s natural integrity, enthusiasm for learning, and sense of
humor naturally draw people to her. Combine those qualities
with her objectivity and unflagging optimism in the face of
challenges, and the result is a leader who inspires and
motivates others to achieve goals and deliver high quality
results.
~ Ginni Hartley
Senior Manager, Billing, IT
Suddenlink
Katie makes even the most stressful
war room run efficiently and fun – she
can be a little “kray kray”.
~ Beth Petti
Vice President, IT
Suddenlink
Spirit of the Midwest: Jean Edhlund
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.
It seems as though Fox created Jean’s job
just for her, because she is perfect for it
and it for her! I had the pleasure of
working with Jean for many years (when I
worked for Charter). She and I became
close friends through our work and I’m
very grateful for our friendship.
Congratulations, Wonder Woman! Thank
you for teaching me and many others a
thing or two about sports!
~ Melissa Kadlec
Marketing Manager
Citon Computer Corp
When people think of Jean, they think of the friendly face
behind FOX Networks. Not only does Jean convey a bright
energy that is truly contagious, she clearly possesses the
qualities that make her a shining example of why I nominated
her for the WICT 2013 Spirit of the Midwest award.
~ Theresa Sunde
Government Relations Supervisor
Mediacom
Jean has been an incredible asset to the Affiliate Distribution team at
Fox Networks and has demonstrated her ability to get deals done to
increase our distribution, develop and nurture key relationships with
our affiliates, and initiate creative ways to include our affiliates in our
programming initiatives.
Jean was most recently engaged, she is a beautiful person with many
wonderful qualities. Working at Fox Sports North, she would often have
no problem finding a date as many men were eager to go to the many
sporting events in the Minneapolis area with Jean and problem was at
times she wondered if they were more interested in her or rooting on
the Twins, Vikings, or Wild…..I’m so happy she now has a life-long
partner to attend games with in the future…..
~ Bob Adelman
Regional Vice President
Fox Networks
Jean’s favorite chant is “Who hates IOWA? We hate
Iowa!” She says repeatedly at every Gopher Football
game, EVEN when they’re not playing Iowa!
Jean also despises everything about the University of
North Dakota - especially the hockey team!
~ Rob Amundson
Local Sales Manager
Comcast
Woman in Technology: Julie Sparlin
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.
Julie is a caring employee who provides service to our internal customers
and HR department at a level that is exemplary of the highest
standard. Even in the midst of busy times, Julie maintains a smile and a
positive outlook, giving help where needed and often doing more without
being asked.
Julie is a supportive ally, mentor and friend to many in the
organization. She has proven herself to be a trusted leader and always
errs on the side of what is right, rather than what is popular. Julie is truly
a Woman in Technology others should watch.
~ Erin Lorenz
Senior Director, IT
Suddenlink
Julie is truly FABULOUS to work with as she is always
in a good mood…
It is great to see Julie getting the type of recognition she
deserves. She is a true asset to Suddenlink.
~ Rob Jenkins
Vice President, IT
Suddenlink
Julie is a fantastic, well rounded leader. She does a
fantastic job of performing well at work, being a great
mom to her boys and keeping herself healthy. A
great model for all!!!!
~ Beth Petti
Vice President, IT
Suddenlink
Special Recognition;
Midwest Tech-It-Out Advocate
Terry Cordova
Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer
Suddenlink
Terry leads the more than 130-person Suddenlink technical operations and
engineering team.
In addition to being a member of the WICT Midwest chapter and a vocal advocate
for the WICT-SCTE Tech It Out initiative partnership, Terry is a long-standing
member of SCTE, a three-term Board member, and now serves as vice chairman of
the Board of Directors. In 2011 he was named to the year’s class of Cable TV
Pioneers, was inducted into the SCTE Hall of Fame, served as chairman of SCTE’s
Cable-Tec EXPO, and was named CTO of the Year by Multichannel News.
Before Suddenlink, Terry was Division Vice President of Engineering for Charter
Communications’ Southeast Division. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in
engineering from Kansas State University.
The Value of WICT
WICT to me means leadership, partnership, and
growth. My favorite WICT touchstone is Know
Yourself. Through my WICT journey I have grown as
a person and leader and constantly reflect on who I
am and what I am doing. I continually question
myself if my decisions reflect who I truly am and if
they do then I know I will succeed!
~ Sarah DeZell
Director of Client Relations and Standards
Comcast
The Value of WICT
I joined WICT in 2002 and have been on the WICT
Board of Directors for the Midwest Chapter since 2010.
Through WICT, I have connected with a great number of
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 Supervisor
Mediacom
The Value of WICT
I believe my favorite touchstone is Inspire. If I can
help inspire someone then I’ve passed down some
of the other traits and touchstones in those actions,
or at least I hope I’ve been able to reflect those
attributes. We have such a great gift to be part of an
organization that encompasses these qualities.
~ Mary Porter
Vice President, HR
Suddenlink
The Value of WICT
Through WICT, I’ve worked side-by-side with
colleagues I once merely waved to in the
hallway. Now they are mentors and friends.
At the WICT Leadership Conference, I learned
more about setting career goals, developing my
personal brand, and the importance of sharing
with those who will come after me.
~ Lisa Shea
Communications Coordinator
Suddenlink
The Value of WICT
My favorite WICT Touchstone is to be fearless. When I
was a young woman new in the professional world, I
always feared being judged or disliked – so I tried to
blend in. Once I decided to be fearless and let my true
colors come out, my unique talents emerged leaving me
both happier and more fulfilled. Never be afraid to be
yourself.
~ Jessica Miller
XEC Store Manager
Comcast
The Value of WICT
I enjoy participating in WICT’s national and chapter
programming. I take away valuable information that
helps make me a better leader and employee. I
value the opportunities provided by WICT, treasure
the network of inspiring women I have met and
continue to share insights I learn from my WICT
experiences.
~ Erin Lorenz
Senior Director, Information Technology
Suddenlink
The Value of WICT
Favorite Touchstone – Be A Catalyst…..I follow this
Touchstone daily. By creating a new department
within the organization in which I work, I reflect upon
this touchstone frequently to keep me on track for
setting high goals and standards. By believing in this
touchstone, I have been very successful in my
career.
~ Denise Farley
Sr Director, Revenue & Assets Recovery
Mediacom
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