Spring 2008
Q&A with Mike Fox, vice president and general manager of Time Warner Cable’s Northeast Wisconsin Division
Mike Fox is the vice president and general manager of the Northeast Wisconsin Division of Time Warner Cable, located in Kimberly. It’s an enormous job; he oversees more than 500 employees who serve more than 600,000 customers throughout Wisconsin, from Kenosha/Racine to Marinette. We sat down with Mike recently for a quick chat about why he chose FVTC and his experiences at the College, past and present.
When and why did you attend FVTC?
I attended from 1979 to 1981. It was local, well regarded, affordable, and didn’t require four years to earn a reputable degree. My cousin was also attending FVTC.
What degree did you earn?
Electronics looked like it had a future in the business world, so I earned a degree in Electronics Technology. With the help of FVTC’s Student Employment Services office, I earned a job with GE Medical Systems in New Berlin, Wisconsin. I was a technician, testing and certifying CT X-ray scanners before they were shipped to hospitals around the world. The opportunity, friends, and knowledge I gained at this job remain important to me. My degree was a springboard to many new opportunities. Electronics provided the technical background that I needed to succeed in many roles.
What challenges and opportunities do you face in your job?
We are experiencing increased competition in the marketplace from other programming and entertainment providers. This competition brings opportunity to increase and improve the customer experience that Time Warner Cable provides. We are building a state-of-the-art, LEED-certified [Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design; a rating system for environmentally sustainable construction] building on the south side of Appleton and will move in before the end of the year. Our goal is to double our workforce in the Fox Cities area from just two years ago, which will go a long way in improving our customers’ experiences with our many cool products.
How did FVTC help you get to where you are today?
In 1979, computers and automation were just beginning to have a big impact on the business community. FVTC’s Electronics program opened my eyes to a whole new world. It gave me the foundation I needed to work and succeed in the medical and telecommunications fields.
When and why did you become a member of the FVTC Foundation Board?
My career has taken me from the Fox Cities to Milwaukee to various cities in California to Minneapolis. Twenty-five years later, I returned home to the Fox Cities. It was the least I could do for the college that launched my career.
What do you do in your spare time?
I enjoy taking family trips and hanging around with my three young ladies—my wife, Cindy, and two daughters, Kaeli, 14, and Kiana, 11. I enjoy traveling to exotic places; standing on the Great Wall and overlooking China and Mongolia remains one of my favorites. Snowmobiling and motorcycling are also great get-away moments.
