Charter Communications Inc. Wednesday named former Cox Communications Inc.
executive Margaret Bellville executive vice president of operations.
Charter had placed executive VP and chief operating officer David Barford on
paid leave in October, saying that the move was tied to a grand-jury
investigation of some Charter accounting practices, including its method of
counting subscribers.
Barford's contract stipulated that he be given 30 days' notice before being
terminated for cause. His current status was not disclosed in the statement, and
a Charter spokesman had no further comment.
Charter said Bellville, who also was CEO of Incanta Inc., would have
responsibility for all company field operations, as well as marketing,
programming and customer care.
CEO Carl Vogel said in a prepared statement, "We're very fortunate to have
recruited this proven leader in telecommunications back to the operating side of
the cable-television business. With more than 20 years of broad-based experience
in operations, business development, marketing and sales, Maggie will actively
participate with me and others on our senior management team in taking Charter
to the next level of success by driving revenue and cash flow, maximizing
efficiencies, improving customer care and targeting our messages to customers
and noncustomers alike."
Bellville, who is believed to be attending the Western Show, had been
executive VP of operations at Cox before resigning in January 2001. She began
her cable career at Century Communications Corp. in 1993, Charter said.
On Tuesday, Charter said its Midwest division operating chief had resigned
for personal reasons.
