Q: What drew you to focus on technology and innovation in the telecommunications industry?
I would say that technology and innovation have always been an important part of my professional career, even if they weren’t always in my job description. Right out of college, I started working on wireless communications when it was becoming big. Today, we take for granted something as simple as keeping a wireless phone call going while traveling on the road, which was an engineering challenge 20 years ago. Fast forward to 2025, and we expect a new class of highly interactive and immersive entertainment genres – enabled by the intersection of connectivity, consumer electronics and the cloud.
Q: How does diversity and inclusion help you stay ahead of the curve?
Our team is charged with helping Charter discover and develop new technologies that will enhance the customer experience and help the company expand into new marketplaces. In order to think about future technologies, we first have to understand what our customer needs are today. We have millions of modems connected to our network, and they represent a diverse set of needs and user experiences. Understanding these needs offers insight into our network’s performance and the evolution of customer behaviors as they adopt new ways to communicate, collaborate and seek entertainment.
I’ve purposely constructed a team with diverse viewpoints stemming from different backgrounds and work experiences. Our team motto is, “If you have something to share, say it, no matter your level.” Our team and a work culture that is inclusive of everyone’s input are key to innovation.
Q: What does AAPI Heritage month mean to you, particularly this year?
The last 18 months have been some of the most challenging times for me, personally and professionally. The incidents of anti-Asian bias and violence our nation has seen have been shocking, to say the least. But I’ve also seen the resilience and empathy of my colleagues and I’m thankful to work at a place like Charter that leans into diversity, inclusion and community.
AAPI Heritage Month is a reminder of the positive things in my life. I think of my dad, who came from Hong Kong to the U.S. in the 1970s to earn his Ph.D. in math and retired from IBM after more than 35 years. He taught me many lessons that I follow today, and will instill in my own children: family first, work hard but smart, and be mindful of your own strengths and weaknesses.
AAPI Heritage Month is also a recognition of how the accomplishments that make our country and industry so great could not have been possible without many different people from many different backgrounds working together, and how important that is if we want to continue to thrive.
