Sid Topol

Former President, CEO, Scientific Atlanta, 2001 Cable Hall of Fame

topolSidney

In running a company, you have to continually ask yourself, ‘What business am I in? What is the purpose of my company?’ Then you have to develop a business strategy that will make you a leader in that business.

For 40 years, Topol made his mark in telecommunications as an engineer, corporate executive and, most recently, as elder statesman. As Chairman of Scientific Atlanta, Topol was instrumental in forging the cable/satellite connection that triggered the growth of cable television in the United States. Topol also played a key role in the development of international telecommunications trade policies.

Topol began his career with Raytheon Co., where he eventually became general manager of Selenia telecommunications division, a joint venture in Italy. He returned to the U.S. in 1965 to head Raytheon’s communications division until 1971. At Raytheon, Topol was involved in the development of electronic news gathering equipment, microwave systems, PCM, and the development and installation of 100 ft earth stations, which became the gateway for traffic to satellites and allowed live television coverage in the U.S. from overseas.

Topol served as president of Scientific Atlanta from 1971-83, CEO from 1975-87, and chairman of the board from 1978-90. During his tenure, the company grew in sales from $16 million to more than $600 million. During Topol’s tenure the company developed the concept of cable/satellite connection, which, in working with HBO and transportable earth stations developed by TelePrompTer and manufactured by Scientific-Atlanta, established satellite-delivered television for the cable industry.

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Gibbs Jones

C5 Emeritus
Owner (Spartanburg)

ARCpoint Labs

Gibbs is a customer experience executive with over 25 years of customer experience leadership and expertise in the design, optimization and implementation of customer contact operations. Gibbs has combined skill in the human and technology side of customer contact operations, including the procurement and installation of ACD equipment, workforce management and CRM systems. He has directed the start-up of multiple customer contact operations, with industry expertise in consumer electronics, communications, retail, manufacturing, financial services, banking, and direct sales.

Gibbs has over ten years experience in the Cable Industry. Most recently Gibbs was the Senior Vice President of Customer Experience for Suddenlink Communications. Gibbs worked with Suddenlink’s six regional senior vice presidents and the managers of its customer-contact call centers in Arizona, Missouri, North Carolina, Texas and West Virginia to measure and improve Customer Satisfaction through transactional and relationship Net Promoter Programs and JD Power Research Studies.

Gibbs was also responsible for the company’s social media strategy where he made sure Suddenlink was active in the major social networking channels and found new ways to improve customer loyalty in this space.

Currently Gibbs owns two ARCpoint Labs locations. ARCpoint is a leader in the B to C and B to B drug and alcohol testing industry. Additionally, Gibbs has a consulting practice that helps companies improve their customer experience.

Gibbs is a Certified Net Promoter® Associate and has been a speaker at various conferences and is frequently called upon to discuss considerations related to measuring and improving the customer experience, exceptional contact center management, and optimizing the employee experience.

 

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