David Auger, President Time Warner Cable

“If there is one thing I’ve learned in my years with Time Warner Cable, it’s that anything truly is possible.” stated, David Auger.  He noted that Time Warner is one of America’s first cable companies, and “When I think about how the technology it created has ultimately helped to change the world, it’s absolutely astounding.”

The President of the Charlotte Division gave Rotarians today some impressive statistics on the size and scale of Time Warner.  The company has 34 cable divisions with 11M customers in 27 states and the Charlotte Division alone has 144,000 single strands of fiber optics – enough to circle the earth six times, 391,000 customers, and 1,400 local employees, $124+ million in operating expenses, and $60+ million in capital investments.

Time Warner is committed to developing cutting edge technology and owns and manages the most advanced, best-clustered cable television operation in the nation.   The company is likewise dedicated to service and quality of product and that continues to fuel steady customer growth in the Charlotte area.

In addition to cable, the Charlotte Division is delivering 24-hour television news on the local level - the area’s first - through News 14 Carolina.  With one of the strongest broadcast news operations in the Charlotte region and superior state of the art digital equipment, Time Warner delivers local newscasts at any time of day or night.

Time Warner is more than just TV.  Its High Speed Online offers customers up to 50 times faster internet access than dial-up and a choice of internet providers including AOL, EarthLink and Road Runner. And more than one person can be online at once.

Time Warner is also committed to serving the community by becoming involved in local governments, educational institutions and non-profit organizations.  The company provides free educational support through initiatives such as Cable in the Classroom and addresses the digital divide issue by providing broadband Internet service free to local neighborhoods.  Employees are active volunteers in a wide variety of programs and service projects that emphasize literacy.   Time Warner’s educational and philanthropic outreach programs are underwritten by more than $3 million in annual funding across the Charlotte Division.  “For us, connecting your homes, schools and businesses is not enough. We truly believe in being connected to communities and the people who live in them, because we live in those communities, also.” stated Auger.

Time Warner Cable’s strategy for growth is to continue innovating and developing new services and exploring the interactive possibilities of the Information Age.  “We will continue to define our success not only by our bottom line, but more importantly by our performance as a service provider, community partner and corporate citizen.”

    Head Table: David Anderson, John Layne, Tony Zeiss, Jeff Wise, Chris Thomas, Randolph Smith; Invocation: John Snyder.

             Visiting Rotarians & Guests: Don Carmichael; Health & Happiness: Tom Hutchins; Club Education: Al Allison; Song: Henry Lafferty.

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New Member

Ronald Levon Ezell (Ron)

UniShippers

 

Classification: Shipping

5950 Fairview Road #404 (28210)

704-643-9953

ron.ezell@unishippers.com

     Ron Ezell was born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama – home of the Crimson Tide.  He graduated from the University of Alabama in 1968, with a degree in Marketing.   Ron was an Army Officer with the Armor Branch in 1968-1970, earned the rank of Captain, Headquarters Company Commander in Gelnhausen, Germany, and was the youngest company commander in Europe.  Ron and Dianne have been married for 38 years.   Ron, Jr. is a graduate of Stanford University and works with his father at UniShippers.

     UniShippers handles all the customer shipping needs from overnight mail to ocean containers.   Ron’s business believes once a task has begun, never leave it until it is done.  Though the task be great or small, do it well or not at all.

     Other interesting facts about Ron: past president-Outdoor Advertising Association of Georgia; past president-Outdoor Advertising Association of Alabama; past officer-Outdoor Advertising Association of America; past member-Rotary Club of Macon, Georgia; past president-Data Management in Atlanta, Georgia; past owner/president-Reach Marketing Associates in Birmingham, Alabama; Distinguished Military Graduate, University of Alabama; and School Board Member, Mount Vernon Christian Academy, Atlanta, Georgia.   Welcome to Charlotte Rotary, Ron.

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MOUNTAIN ISLAND LAKE MARINE COMMISSION PROJECT

     The Mountain Island Lake Marine Commission has an ongoing project to control Hydrilla in Mountain Island Lake.  The control method being utilized is the release of sterile grass Carp, at the cost of $4 each.  Hydrilla chokes out other vegetation, becomes a hazard to boaters and swimmers, and clogs water intake pipes.  Our clubs participation in this project will benefit our local community and region by controlling invasive Hydrilla.  A donation of $2000 was approved by the Local Environmental Committee.

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z Note the Dilworth Rotary Club meetings have moved to 101 Worthington Avenue (old Spaghetti Warehouse).

z Welcome to our newest member, Mark Pierman.

z Bob Culbertson extended a challenge to the group through a silent auction event for the next 3 weeks.   The person placing the highest donation for the Public Service Scholarship Fund will win the April 11, 1983 copy of Sports Illustrated (NC State Wins The NCAAs).  Place your bid at the check-in table.

z New address for the Rotary Office, effective May 15, 2003: 841 Baxter Street, Ste 118 (28202).  The telephone number will not change.

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