Jeff Merritt
Stepping up and increasing connectivity By Anne Sampson Valley Business Front introduces Jeff Merritt, Vice President of Roanoke Operations with Cox Communications, as an advisory board member representing the technology/communications sector. “Cox is the largest privately-owned communications company in the US,” Jeff Merritt says, describing the company’s origins in a Dayton, Ohio newspaper founded by James Cox in the 1880’s. “Expanding to radio, then television, then to communications, so it has evolved over time. Our product set is still evolving, although a lot of people still call us ‘Cox Cable.’” With the growing need for broadband access exacerbated by COVID-19 lockdowns, and internet traffic doubling every two years, Jeff sees Cox stepping up to close the “digital divide” and increasing connectivity in creative ways. It’s part of the corporate culture, in a privately-owned company that embodies diversity, vision and community engagement.
a much greater volume. “We plan upgrades to our fiber network years in advance,” he said. “Even though we saw network usage shift from businesses to homes, we were pleased with the network performance.” Still, many students simply had no access from home. Some resorted to doing homework from the school parking lot, where they could connect.
“Cox launched ‘Connect2Compete’ in 2013, which offers broadband service for less than $10 a month to families with students who qualify for programs such as the National Free Lunch,” says Jeff. “When the pandemic hit, we recognized a need in our community, and we partnered with Roanoke City Public Schools to offset some of the costs.” Cox also worked with local schools to ensure their internal networks could handle the extra Jeff describes pre-pandemic residential load. They’re also major supporters of broadband as data “mostly flowing one way,” Boys & Girls Clubs of America (Jeff spent into the home. Remote work and learning a couple of years as chairman of the local necessitated by COVID-driven school and board), providing funding and internet service office closings meant that a lot more data to Clubs ensuring students have access to flowed both into and out of the home at places to spend time and do homework.
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t AUGUST 2021 / vbFRONT.com
