Plugging In and Powering Forward
By Maria Popo
With my first few months as CEO of SCTE behind me, I am bursting with enthusiasm! The opportunity to provide practical learning and real-world experiences to help train our industry is among the activities that excite me most about leading SCTE. We have already begun focusing on ways to enhance technical learning to help bolster career development and empower our workforce.
As I plug in and power forward, I want to take a moment to reflect. SCTE is deeply indebted to Mark Dzuban for his visionary leadership from 2009 to 2023, a 14-year period of transformative growth. I am grateful that he will be continuing to share guidance and inspiration as he leads the SCTE Foundation. As I’m told he always likes to say, “we’re not done, there is still a lot of work to do.”
Our industry is in the midst of an exciting time of transformation. The broadband connectivity landscape is rapidly evolving with developments in 10G, network convergence, AI, and other advancements. In response to this dynamic environment, SCTE will enhance its support for the industry’s strategic imperatives and technological innovation.
By forging a closer alignment with CableLabs, we can leverage our collective expertise in technology and technical education. As we continue to gather the industry together at TechExpo and lead in areas like ANSI Standards, Training and Leadership Development, as well as forge deeper engagement with our Chapters, we hope to enrich the professional lives of those who drive our industry forward.
Of course, our mission extends beyond technical standards and certifications; it’s about people—individuals dedicated to advancing their careers and contributing to an industry that is more vibrant and exciting than ever. SCTE is poised to evolve the realm of technical workforce training and chapter development, leveraging digital solutions and fostering skills that are increasingly sociotechnical in nature. These are opportunities for each of us to grow, connect and succeed together.
In developing SCTE’s vision for the future, I am engaging closely with colleagues, our SCTE Board and many industry friends. I invite you to connect with me on LinkedIn and share your vision for the future. I look forward to the collaboration.
I am excited about where we are at this transformational period for our industry and thrilled to have the opportunity to advance the mission of SCTE as the TechEd leader to broaden, deepen, and empower the talent pipeline.
There is an inspiring journey ahead for all of us! I look forward to sharing more with you soon.
TechExpo 2024
Connection and collaboration are imperative for the success of the industry. And I’m pleased to report that planning for TechExpo 2024 is well underway. We are thrilled to have Liberty Latin America President and CEO Balan Nair and Cox Communications President Mark Greatrex serving as co-chairs this year.
My team would like me to take this opportunity to provide a reminder that the call for papers for the annual Fall Technical Forum is open until April 5, 2024, so please submit your presentation proposals. You’ll find a link on the brand new TechExpo website at techexpo.scte.org. The program committee is especially interested in forward-looking technologies and solutions that will help power the industry’s 10G initiative and move its technical foundation forward. And it’s not too early to make your plans to attend SCTE TechExpo 2024, September 23-26, 2024, in Atlanta.
Maria Popo
President and CEO, SCTE®
a subsidiary of CableLabs®
Maria Popo is CEO of the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE®), a subsidiary of CableLabs®. SCTE is a global not-for-profit member organization driving the acceleration and deployment of technology in the cable industry.
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