Cox Names Pickelsimer Executive Director of Video Product Development

Cox Communications, the third-largest cable MSO in the US, has promoted Lisa Pickelsimer to executive director of video product development. Pickelsimer, who will report to Steve Necessary, Cox's VP of video strategy and product management, will be tasked with driving the development of all new product initiatives that encompass video, including initiatives related to TV, the PC and wireless devices. Specific areas she will be focusing on, according to the company, include Cox's set-top receiver video user interface, interactive TV, VOD, PVR, video mobility, and the company's implementation of the tru2way standard. "Lisa has demonstrated superior leadership in our most important undertakings over the past few years and is the right person to take our video product development activities to the next level," Necessary said in a prepared statement. "I have the utmost respect for her talent and perseverance and trust her to lead this important part of the organization."

Pickelsimer joined Cox in 1999 as senior analyst for new media development at the company's Cox Enterprises arm, and was promoted to manager of new media development in 2000. She became manager of video product development for Cox Communications in 2001, and was promoted to director of video product development in 2003. Prior to joining Cox, she worked in product management at Scientific-Atlanta. She has a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Clemson University, a master's in electrical engineering from MIT, and an MBA from Emory University.