Liao Named New CableLabs CEO

By Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 6/10/2009

Louisville, Colo. — The board of directors of Cable Television Laboratories (CableLabs) formally revealed Wednesday that it selected Dr. Paul Liao as the organization’s president and CEO, replacing Dr. Richard Green, who is retiring after 21 years in the post at the end of the year.

“Paul gives us the perfect blend of laboratory and research knowledge, as well as experienced business leadership,” stated CableLabs board chairman Brian L. Roberts, who is also Comcast’s chairman and CEO. “The board is united in its view that Paul is the right person to lead the laboratory going forward.”

Dr. Paul Liao Cable Television Laboratories is a non-profit research and development consortium for the cable television industry.

Liao is well known in consumer electronics industry circles as Panasonic North America’s chief technology officer and VP, a position in which he led Panasonic’s technology direction and R&D in North America for the past 13 years.

A Panasonic spokesman said the company is conducting a search for Liao’s successor.

“With his deep understanding of HDTV and the consumer electronics business, we are confident that Paul will further deepen the cable industry’s cooperation with other industries,” said Yoshi Yamada, Panasonic Corp. of North America chairman and CEO. “Paul has contributed greatly during the past 13 years he has served with Panasonic and I wish him luck with the new position.”

Liao had worked closely with CableLabs as Panasonic developed cable set-top boxes and CableCARD and Tru2way devices.

Prior to joining Panasonic, he held a number of positions at Bell Communications Research (Bellcore) and Bell Laboratories.

Liao 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.

Liao will replace Green when his contract expires at the end of the year. Green had announced his plan to retire last September.

“I feel extremely honored to be selected to follow in the footsteps of Dick Green,” said Liao. “Over the years, I have watched CableLabs create a continuous string of successes and seen it grow in prestige under his leadership. It’s an exciting time to be joining CableLabs, and I look forward to being a part of the Cable industry and to contributing to the industry’s technical future.”

“I’m looking forward to working with Paul during this transition period,” said Green. “He brings new vision and expertise to CableLabs and to the industry. We are all looking forward to having him on board.”

Under Green’s leadership, and working with its members, CableLabs has established the very successful 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. Combined, these two programs have resulted in more than $22 billion in annual revenue for cable operators.