Dominion Video Satellite Inc., owner and operator of the nationwide Sky Angel Christian-family-oriented direct broadcast satellite (DBS) television service, announced several appointments to its Cleveland, Tn. network operations center and contact center.
They include:
Raymond LaRue, vice president of engineering and network operations, has relocated from Naples to Cleveland to oversee Sky Angel's new network operations center currently under development there. He has been with the company for six years and has more than 40 years of experience in all aspects of the cable and satellite transmission industry, including chief engineer for the broadcast division of Consolidated Media Systems Inc. in Tampa, engineering instructor and senior field engineer for Scientific Atlanta, and president of Custom Electronics Corporation in Bradenton, Fla.
Ken Douglas has been named assistant vice president of Cleveland operations with responsibilities for creating, staffing, and managing the satellite contact center for Sky Angel. He graduated from Cleveland State Community College and magna cum laude from Tennessee Wesleyan College with studies in business, human resources, and information technology. Prior to joining Sky Angel, he was manager of customer assistance and information resources for the Maytag Corporation in Cleveland.
Sherrod Munday is serving as a broadcast engineer. He was technical director for the Salem Radio Network in Dallas and also worked for Salem Music Network in Nashville. He graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) with a bachelor's in electrical engineering and a bachelor's in Spanish.
Charles Yoder is also a broadcast engineer. Having worked in various positions in the TV broadcast industry for more than 20 years, he was chief engineer for FOX network in Waco, Texas, and also worked for UPN (United Paramount Network) and WB network stations in Chattanooga and Cincinnati, Ohio. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Air Traffic Control Radar Technical School.
Clark Thompson was named contact center operations supervisor and holds a master's degree in divinity from Grace Valley Theological Seminary. Previously, he was an operating partner for Ryan's Family Steakhouse and served in the U.S. Naval Submarine Service for 12 years. He also attended the Culinary School in Charleston, S.C. Thompson is an ordained minister with the Southeastern Evangelistic Association, and also serves as a middle district superintendent.
Will Witte is contact center supervisor of information systems. He has a bachelor's degree in pastoral ministry from Lee University in Cleveland and a master's degree in divinity from the Church of God Theological Seminary. Witte was an associate missionary in Japan for several years, where he was also director of the English school. He currently serves as minister of outreach for the East Cleveland Church of God. Prior to joining Sky Angel, Witte held a position with Rubbermaid commercial products.
Timothy Scotton is contact center supervisor. He has extensive training in pastoral counseling, teaching, and administration and has served as a minister in Cleveland for many years. Scotton attended Tomlinson College in Cleveland and is currently attending Cleveland State Community College. For the past 11 years, he has been senior pastor of West Riverside Church of God of Prophecy in McMinnville, Tn.
Melanie Willetts is contact center supervisor of training. She was executive sales coordinator for Hewlett-Packard prior to joining Sky Angel. She also worked for TRW, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Life Care Centers of America. She has completed three years at Lee University.
Maureen Cummins is contact team leader. She is from Sterling Heights, Mich. and attended New Life Bible College. Cummins was previously self-employed as a licensed day care provider.
Rick Rahn, also a contact team leader, is from Baltimore, Md., and graduated from Hocking Technical College in Nelsonville, Ohio, with a degree in criminal justice. He was a law enforcement officer for 18 years and served as S.W.A.T. team leader and supervisor for the special operations division. He was named "Officer of the Year" and received many other law enforcement awards. He has also served as assistant youth pastor for Mt. Olive Ministries. In addition, Rahn is a former professional BMX (bicycle motocross) racer.
Ross Ian Vance serves as retention team leader. He is originally from Falkirk, Scotland. He has held teaching positions and is currently serving as an adjunct professor for the department of health sciences at Lee University, where he is also studying for his master's degree. He is an accomplished musician, winning the Virginia Governor's Medal at age 13, performing with the Roanoke Opera at age 16, and performing with the Pittsburg Opera before completing his bachelor's degree in music and education.
About Sky Angel and Dominion Video Satellite Inc.
Celebrating 25 years since its founding and 10 years on the air, Sky Angel delivers nationwide over 30 TV and radio channels of quality Christian programming, popular family entertainment, and 24-hour news that can enhance an existing cable or satellite TV service or be received exclusively virtually anywhere in the 48 Continental United States and certain U.S. territories. Owned and operated by Dominion Video Satellite Inc., Sky Angel is among America's three multi-channel, high-power, direct broadcast satellite (DBS) operators and the only one with a Christian mission and purpose, carrying the widest variety of Christian-inspirational channels available through cable or satellite. Homes currently receive Sky Angel through a small 20-inch satellite dish for $14.99/month or $149.90/year. Churches, nursing homes, colleges and other commercial entities also subscribe to the Sky Angel service. Dominion was the second company to apply to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a high-power DBS license in 1981 and is the sole surviving DBS pioneer from that first round of nine applicants. A free DVD or VHS video about Sky Angel is available at www.skyangel.com or (800) SKY-ANGEL / (800) 759-2643.