KINGSTON, Jamaica--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cable industry veteran Michael Willner has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Digicel Group, effective 1st November 2015, it was announced today.
Since 2012, Michael has been an investor in – and President and CEO of – Penthera Partners, a start-up software licencing company focused on cloud-to-mobile technology. Prior to this, in 1985, he co-founded and became the CEO of Insight Communications and remained in this position until the company was sold to Time Warner Cable in 2012.
Starting his career in 1974 at Vision Cable Communications and rising to become the Chief Operating Officer of the company from 1979 to 1985, he has served twice as Chairman of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA), the industry’s primary lobbying organisation, testifying regularly before Congress on industry issues and pending legislation.
In addition, he chaired NCTA’s political action committee (CablePAC) from 2000 until 2012, served as chairman of the board of the Cable Center from 2007 through 2011 and was on the executive committee of CableLabs and the boards of C-SPAN and the Walter Kaitz Foundation. Michael is a recipient of the NCTA’s 2004 Vanguard Award for Distinguished Leadership, a 2005 inductee into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Cable Hall of Fame in 2008. He is a graduate of Boston University’s College of Communications.
Commenting on his appointment to the Digicel Group Board, Mr. Willner, said; “The Digicel story is a fascinating one. The opportunity to help it evolve from a leading provider of mobile communications into a total communications and entertainment provider and to deliver these services across some of the most vibrant countries on earth was too good to pass up. It’s a unique opportunity and one that I am relishing taking on.”
In welcoming Mr. Willner to the Board, Digicel Group Chairman, Denis O’Brien, said; “As we continue on our journey to becoming a total communications and entertainment company, Michael’s enormous wealth and breadth of knowledge garnered from over 40 years in the cable industry will be invaluable in ensuring that the experience we offer to our customers is second to none. Michael is a fantastic addition to our Board and I am delighted to welcome him to the Digicel family.”
About Digicel
Digicel Group is a leading global communications provider with operations in 33 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific. After more than 14 years of operation, total investment to date stands at over US$5 billion worldwide. The company is renowned for delivering best value, best service and best network.
Digicel is the lead sponsor of Caribbean, Central American and Pacific sports teams, including the Special Olympics teams throughout these regions. Digicel sponsors the West Indies cricket team and is also the title sponsor of the Caribbean Premier League. In the Pacific, Digicel is the proud sponsor of several national rugby teams and also sponsors the Vanuatu cricket team.
Digicel also runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets and has set up Digicel Foundations in Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea and Trinidad and Tobago which focus on educational, cultural and social development programmes.
