CableLabs Names New CEO

Dr. Paul Liao, former vice president and CTO for Panasonic Corp. of North America, has been selected as the next president and CEO of CableLabs, a nonprofit research and development consortium for the cable industry.

Dr. Liao was selected by the lab’s board or directors in its meeting Tuesday in Washington, D.C. Liao replaces Dr. Richard R. Green, who has led the laboratory since September 1988. Green announced in September 2008 that he would retire as CEO of CableLabs when his contract expires in December 2009.

Dr. Liao most recently led Panasonic's technology direction and R&D in North America. Prior to joining Panasonic, he held a number of positions at Bell Communications Research Inc. (Bellcore) and Bell Laboratories. He is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Columbia University and is a recipient of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Millennium Medal. "Paul gives us the perfect blend of laboratory and research knowledge, as well as experienced business leadership," said CableLabs board chairman Brian L. Roberts, chairman and CEO of Comcast. "The board is united in its view that Paul is the right person to lead the laboratory going forward."

Under Green's leadership, CableLabs has established the Data over Cable Service Interface Specifications (DOCSIS) program for high-speed Internet access. It also has established common specifications to enable cable operators to deliver digital voice services to consumers.

“We join the entire cable industry in thanking Dick Green for his dedicated leadership of CableLabs. During his 20 year tenure, Dick has guided CableLabs through a period of tremendous change as our industry has transitioned from a simple one-way video provider to a robust interactive broadband platform,” said Kyle McSlarrow, president and CEO of NCTA, the cable industry trade association, in a press statement. “At the same, we welcome Paul Liao to CableLabs and look forward to working closely with him. His diverse and rich technical and business expertise will undoubtedly help our industry advance further as a technology leader.”

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