Charlotte telecom executive leans on military experience

SPECTRUM

Ken Cooper is vice president of field operations for Spectrum in western North Carolina, which includes Charlotte.

Ken Cooper has a passion for people and telecommunications.

The new area vice president of field operations for Spectrum for western North Carolina, Cooper has more than 20 years’ experience in the industry. Prior to his telecommunications career, Cooper was in the Navy, where he learned about life skills leadership before his discharge in 2000. 

“I was never on a ship, which could probably be shocking to some people, but I was stationed in Italy for my time at the NATO base,” he said. “We worked with different nationalities. … I think in that time, of course, you learn the core values like structure, discipline and stuff. But more than that I learned more of a communication style to be able to work with people with all kinds of different personalities, different backgrounds.”

Cooper said as he has grown in the industry, he has a deeper passion for diversity as key in life in and business. 

“I think that diversity is a big part of society and just the world we live in today,” he said, “and the more diverse we become, the stronger we become. … My team is a mixture of all races and is diverse. Charter [Communications, Spectrum’s parent company] is very big on diversity and making sure that everyone has an opportunity. I don’t worry about color or race or language or anything. I think we all have to work together, and that’s the way I like to lead.”

Before moving to Charter, Cooper was with a different cable company for 16 years but was looking for more.

 
“Charter has a lot to offer their employees,” he said. “I started nine years ago as a supervisor in maintenance … in the New York area. Let me tell you, this is how bad I wanted this job – I would commute from my home in [New] Jersey to Charter in New York for my work for nine years. It was three hours each way, but the opportunity was there. The reason I left my previous company was because there was no opportunity. I needed to work for a company that’s about giving back to the community and taking care of their employees.”

Cooper said he received several promotions over nine years in the New York region before coming to North Carolina. His new role entails everything from technicians who make service calls to managing construction coordinators who build and expand the network. 

Cooper’s passion for his work and his employees is evident in the drive to make a difference.

“I think it all just comes from wanting to succeed,” he said. “I am always trying to do what is best for my family. When you have a family, I think you learn early that you want to do everything the right way. The same way for my career, you want to do everything the right way and the best way you can to be able to continue to excel.”

Despite his job title, Cooper said he doesn’t interact with people like he has one. He says that is probably what makes him unique among executives.

“When I introduce myself to people, I don’t use my title,” he said. “A title is a title; it doesn’t make you who you are. What makes me unique is that I am personable. If you see me out talking to an employee or a tech, 70-80% of the time we aren’t talking about work. I want to know them and how they are doing, how their family is doing and what is going on in their world.

“I respect everyone that worked with me or for me. I think the leader that goes the extra step to learn about the people that work for them and really learn about that person, you can get more out of that person. … I want the people that work for me to believe I care because I really do. We all have families and I think that is the most important thing in our lives.”

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