Jerald L. Kent
Chief Executive Officer
A 20-year veteran of the cable television industry, Jerry Kent began his career as an officer of Cencom Cable Associates, Inc., and later co-founded Charter Communications in 1993.
Prior to founding Cequel III, he served as Charter's President and CEO. Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen acquired Charter in 1998, and combined it with another investment, Marcus Cable, in early 1999 under the Charter Communications name. Mr. Kent was named President and CEO of this merged entity, which subsequently grew to some 7 million customers as the nation's fourth-largest cable company. During Mr. Kent's tenure, Charter went public in what was then the third-largest IPO in U.S. history, became the largest issuer of high-yield bonds in the world, and consistently led the industry in superior operating results.Mr. Kent was with Arthur Andersen & Co., certified public accountants, from 1979 to 1983, where he attained the position of tax manager. His duties included consulting on the analysis and structuring of limited partnerships, with a major emphasis on the media industry.
Mr. Kent has been recognized as one of the cable industry's top ten operators by CableFAX, an industry trade publication. He was among the St. Louis Business Journal's 40 Under 40 outstanding business leaders in the St. Louis area, and was honored (with his Charter co-founders) as Regional Entrepreneurs of the Year in Telecommunications and Entertainment.
A native of St. Louis, Mr. Kent is active in the community, including the Young Presidents Organization, the Magic House Children's Museum, the Archdiocese of St. Louis, and the Board of Trustees at Washington University.