Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA) announced that Dave Watson will become president and CEO of Comcast Cable as Neil Smit moves into a new role as a vice chairman, Comcast, effective April 1. For the next few months, Smit will work with Watson to ensure a smooth transition. Smit will then work part-time with Comcast leaders to develop future technology-oriented business opportunities.
Smit has spent the last seven years as the head of Comcast Cable. Prior to joining Comcast, Smit worked for Charter, AOL and Nabisco. Before his career in corporate America, Smit was a U.S. Navy SEAL, serving in SEAL Team Six.
Watson, who joined Comcast in 1991, has served as the chief operating officer of Comcast Cable since 2010.
"Dave Watson is the perfect new leader of Comcast Cable," said Brian L. Roberts, chairman and CEO of Comcast. "There are few people in the cable industry who have his breadth and depth of experience. Dave, along with Neil and the executive teams across the cable division, drove the operating strategy and execution that have led to phenomenal growth over the last several years as well as our focus on the customer experience and the improvements we have made recently. Dave knows the business and has a track record of delivering results."
