Neil Smit
Neil Smit | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1960 |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Duke University; Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University |
| Occupation | Business executive |
| Years active | –2017 (as CEO of Comcast Cable) |
| Known for | Former CEO of Comcast Cable |
Neil Smit (born 1960) is an American executive and former chief executive officer of Comcast Cable, a prominent company specializing in cable, entertainment, and communications services.
Academic background and military career
Smit earned a Bachelor of Science degree in oceanography and geology from Duke University, followed by a Master of Science in international business from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He dedicated five years to service in the United States Navy as a SEAL and was honorably discharged holding the rank of lieutenant commander. He leads a private life with his wife and two sons.
Professional experience and corporate involvement
Until 2017, Smit held the position of CEO at Comcast Cable, resigning due to health issues related to previous injuries and to devote additional time to his family. His annual earnings were reported at $19.9 million, placing him among the top 200 highest-paid CEOs nationwide. Prior to joining Comcast in 2010, he was CEO and director at Charter Communications starting in 2005. His earlier career includes serving as president of Time Warner's America Online Access Business, where he managed AOL, CompuServe, and Netscape Internet service providers. He also occupied leadership roles at AOL and MapQuest. Earlier professional experiences include regional presidency at Nabisco and management duties at Pillsbury.
Smit has chaired CableLabs, the research and development consortium for the cable industry, and has served as chairman of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA). His board memberships include Qualcomm, Quant Network, Ocean Exploration Trust, and C-SPAN.
Engagement in community initiatives
He has been a strong advocate for veterans and spearheaded Comcast’s program aimed at employing no fewer than 10,000 veterans between 2015 and 2017.
External links
- Neil Smit 2018 Cable Hall of Fame, YouTube, 3 min 16 sec
- 1960 births
- Living people
- American chief executives
- American corporate directors
- American media executives
- Comcast people
- Duke University alumni
- American billionaires
- United States Navy SEALs personnel
- The Fletcher School at Tufts University alumni
- Businesspeople from Philadelphia
- 20th-century American businesspeople