10 Things You Didn't Know about Charter Communications CEO Thomas Rutledge

As an American telecommunications company, Charter Communications offers services under the brand name Spectrum to consumers and businesses. Spectrum provides services to over twenty-six million customers in forty-one states and as such, holds several prestigious spots in entertainment services. In the US, Charter is the second-largest cable operator, the third largest TV operator, and the fifth largest telephone provider.

In 2012, Thomas Rutledge, formerly an executive of Cablevision, was named as Charter’s CEO and the company’s headquarters were relocated to Stamford, Connecticut from it’s former home in St.Louis, Missouri. However, many of the company’s operations remain based out of St.Louis. Since then, Charter and CEO Thomas Rutledge have been busy. Continue reading to find out what they’ve been up and learn 10 things you didn’t know about Charter Communications CEO.

1. He’s the highest paid CEO in America

In 2016, Rutledge was awarded a pay package worth close to a hundred million dollars. Yes, you read that right, a hundred million dollars. In fact, his pay was twice as much as the second highest paid CEO. In order for him to continue getting such a high salary, the company’s stock options need to continue increasing.

2. He graduated college in 1977

Rutledge graduated from California University with a B.A. in economics. That’s California, Pennsylvania, not California the state! His education was long from being finished, however; he went back and got a degree in advanced management progressive from Harvard University in 1995 as well.

3. He began his career in 1977

Over forty years is when Rutledge began his professional career at American Television and Communications (ATC) which was actually a predecessor of Time Warner Cable. He eventually became president of Time Warner as well.

4. He has received the cable industry’s highest award

In 2011, Rutledge received the Vanguard Award for Distinguished Leadership from the National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA). In addition, he is currently the Chairman of NCTA.

5. He’s in two halls of fame

Thomas Rutledge is a member of both the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame and the Cable Hall of Fame. He is definitely one popular guy in the world of cable and telecommunications.

6. CEO is unaware how unpopular Charter actual is

Charter is literally one of the least liked companies in any industry, not just cable. According to customer satisfaction surveys, Charter rates worse than companies in generally hated industries such as the insurance sector, banking, and airlines. That’s some hate to be going on unnoticed. Rutledge says he believes that the company has a good relationship with customers and says that the proof is the fact they provide services in forty-states to tens of thousands of customers.

7. Under Rutledge’s tutelage, a “megamerger” was successful

Charter ended up finally completing a merger with Time Warner Cable which also included Bright House systems. The merger was completed in May of 2016 with the requirement that Charter would expand their services to include two million more households with at least half of those being in the competitive market.

8. His company changed their name

After the “megamerger” of Charter and Time Warner Communications, Rutledge and company agreed to a name change. They now offer services under the brand name Spectrum.

9. He has quite an impressive business history

Rutledge, as mentioned before, graduated in 1977 and went straight to work. Since then he has been the head of five different companies.

10. He’s the merger with Time Warner Cable to be a “long sought prize”

Back when Rutledge was still with Time Warner, he wished to head the company, but was seemingly passed over back in 2001. He says the acquisition was something he’d been pursuing for over a decade. Now that he has captured this prize, Rutledge has become not only one of the most powerful leaders in the television and Internet industry, but in the business world altogether.

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