Chief Consultant for Optical, Digital, and RF Systems.
Heads Design Teams
Researches and Applies New Technologies
Directs the Economic Groth of TP
Summary Statement:
I have spent most of my career advancing and building
communications systems and networks. They have been
copper, coaxial, optical, digital, and RF. I have been
doing these things since 1973. In that time I have been
an educator, technician, business leader, and sometimes inventor. I have especially enjoyed being one of the first users of many new technologies. I have sat on the technical advisor board at Cable Labs, been on the national board of the SCTE, spent time at Bell Labs, and worked closely with many manufacturers. That exposure and experience has made me keenly aware not only of technologies, but of people's uses for them. I have observed that sometimes the most advanced systems have missed their intended purpose. I have learned to listen first, and start designing second. My designs must answer problems, not add to complexity. They must serve useful purposes for customers, and that is a balance between cost, service, maintenance, and useful delivery. I feel I am well recognized in my industry for those concepts.
Summary Statement:
Mike is the Operations Manager for Technology
Planners. His responsibilities include financial
management and consulting; daily corporate
administrative logistics; communications with
customers and vendors; and overall corporate and
customer strategic business plans. Mike graduated
with a BBA in Accounting and Finance from the
University of Wisconsin, Madison and is currently
pursuing his MBA from Cardinal Stritch College in
Milwaukee. He is a graduate of Sheboygan South High
School.
Mike has been in the Cable Television and Telecommunications Industries since 1980. He was Treasurer with Star Cablevision Group until 1990, and was an independent consultant until joining Technology Planners in 1998. Mike's experiences range from daily accounting and administrative functions, budgeting and long-term strategic planning, loan negotiations, IPO preparation, and mergers and acquisitions. Mike is familiar with many facets of the industry from the local operating offices, vendors and suppliers, investment bankers, and MSO executives.
Mike is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and The Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He is a past president of the Fond du Lac Chapter of the Wisconsin Alumni Association.
A detailed list of Mike's responsibilities includes:
The Financial Functions of TP:
Handles day to day accounting including, but not limited to,: accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, and preparation of financial statements on a monthly basis. Also, Mikes coordinates purchasing activities. Prepares all tax returns and payroll reporting functions, i.e. 401K, federal and state payroll and unemployment compensation reporting. Negotiates operating leases and loans. At the beck and call of Zen master, Robert Schaeffer.
Financial Analysis:
Prepares budgets for broadband communications services. Prepares forward projections for operating and investment analysis, including but not limited to, cash flow, return of investment analysis, subscriber projections…etc. Creates capital budgets (plant and equipment) to be used for operating and investment purposes. Incorporates capital and operating budgets to provide a comprehensive analysis of operating needs. Researches new technology and impacts of technology financially to an existing operation.
Operating Analysis:
Assists in the communications and negotiations of programming contracts. Uses experience to help develop and implement channel line-ups and programming mixes. Assists in various FCC compliance issues, registrations, fee calculations, and other FCC matters. Assists in preparation of copyright compliance. Uses accounting expertise as well as industry knowledge in consulting on a myriad of issues: fixed asset, chart of accounts set-up, inventory issues, purchasing control to name just a few.
Summary Statement:
Heath is the Broadband Technologist for Technology
Planners. His responsibilities include plant drafting,
head end installations, computer administration and
general technical maintenance.
As TP's in-house AutoCAD designer, it is Heath's job
to procure digital base maps for clients, draw
background strand routes, design all manner of cable
types including Fiber systems, and design Headends.
Heath delivers finished paper and electronic maps to clients in a timely and cost-effective manner. Heath is also called upon for physical walk outs.
Heath graduated from Omro High School (1988) and has a BS in Cartography from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh (1994). Heath is a member of The Society of Cable Television Engineers.
