Comcast Corp. named Jeff Shell president of Comcast Programming, effective May 2. Comcast Programming includes the company’s interests in its national content networks and investments, including E! Entertainment Network, Style Network, G4, Golf Channel, Outdoor Life Network, TV One, International Channel networks, the new Children’s and Sony/MGM networks that are in formation and a variety of regional sports network investments. Shell will report to Steve Burke, Comcast’s chief operating officer.
“I have been impressed by how Comcast has managed their rapid distribution growth through skilled operational execution, innovation and ability and willingness to compete,” said Shell. “I am excited to join their team and hope to continue the growth and success that the company has experienced.”
Shell was most recently CEO of Gemstar TV Guide International, where he successfully navigated Gemstar through a number of legal and operational challenges. Before that, he held a number of positions within News Corp., including president of the FOX Cable Networks Group. There, he oversaw the operations of FOX’s entertainment and sports cable programming businesses, including FOX Sports Net, FX and the National Geographic Channel. Shell also worked in the Strategic Planning Group at the Walt Disney Co. and at Salomon Brothers Inc.
Shell received his bachelor of science degrees in economics and applied mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley and his MBA from Harvard University
THE AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD SERVICES
Brigid O’Neill-LaGier assumed the role of CEO with The American Red Cross Blood Services, Penn-Jersey Region. Formerly the COO, O’Neill-LaGier fills the vacancy left by Stanley C. Roberts, who assumed the position of vice president for business strategies for American Red Cross Biomedical Headquarters.
A graduate of The State University of New York at Binghamton, O’Neill-LaGier has a bachelor’s degree in business/leadership and organizational studies, and an associate’s degree in medical laboratory technology. She is an MBA degree candidate at Drexel University, with an expected completion date of June 2005. Her credentials include certification as MT(HEW), MLT(ASCP) and HT(ASCP).
She began her career as a medical laboratory technologist in clinical hospital laboratories in upstate New York, specializing in general laboratory science, microbiology and histology. After joining the American Red Cross in 1993, O’Neill-LaGier held leadership positions at Biomedical Headquarters in Washington, D.C., the New York-Penn Region in West Henrietta, N.Y., and the Penn-Jersey Region in Philadelphia. During her five-year tenure as COO for the Penn-Jersey Region, she served as acting CEO for 18 months.
O’Neill-LaGier is a member of the American Association of Blood Banks, the New Jersey Society of Blood Bank Professionals and the Blood Bank Task Force of New Jersey.
One of 35 American Red Cross blood regions, the Penn-Jersey Region provides lifesaving blood and blood products to more than 125 hospitals in southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
THE CHEST FOUNDATION
The CHEST Foundation, in association with the American College of Chest Physicians, awarded Mehboob K. Chaudhry, MBBS, one of 22 Governors Community Service Awards. These awards are given to medical professionals who demonstrate outstanding dedication to improving the health of communities and people in need through their volunteer work with health care projects worldwide.
Chaudhry’s project provides free tobacco prevention programming and services to assist teens and adults in quitting smoking. The project also trains health care providers in tobacco cessation interventions at no cost and boasts an 80 percent short-term quit rate for adults, 66 percent after there months and 55 percent thereafter. As medical director, Chaudhry advises and provides instruction for the program team and other participating health care professionals.
The Governors Community Service Awards Program encourages volunteer service by ACCP members to improve the health of individuals and communities through advocacy, direct patient care and/or patient education activities. In addition to honoring the recipient, The CHEST Foundation also grants a monetary award to the organization each recipient supports.
FIRST FINANCIAL BANK
Martha Hilty joined First Financial Bank, a subsidiary of Chester Valley Bancorp Inc., as assistant vice president and branch manager of its Brandywine Square office.
Hilty earned a B.S. degree in finance from Penn State University in 1985. She also holds Series 6 and 63 licenses and Pennsylvania State Life & Health Insurance. Prior to joining First Financial Bank, she worked with Wachovia Bank as a financial specialist. Hilty also worked with Bank of America and Wilmington Trust of PA.
First Financial also hired Patricia Hartnett as business development officer and vice president, community banking. Hartnett will work with small businesses throughout Chester County.
She holds an MBA from Rutgers University and earned her B.A. degree in international relations and French from Johns Hopkins University. Previously, she spent four years as a small business banker with Wachovia Bank, and in positions with The Bank of New York and The Bank of Baltimore.
THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia appointed Gavin R. Kerr as executive vice president and COO.
Previously, Kerr was president and CEO of Mercy Health System based in Philadelphia and southeastern Pennsylvania, and senior vice president of Catholic Health East. He also served as chairman of the board of directors for Keystone Mercy Health Plan, one of the nation’s largest Medicaid managed-care plans. Prior to his role at Mercy, Kerr served for five years as vice president for Planning and Organizational Effectiveness at the University of Pennsylvania Health System.
Kerr holds an undergraduate degree in economics from Colgate University and a master of divinity in counseling degree from Princeton University. He served for a year in the United States Peace Corps as a marketing adviser in Kenya and serves as chairman of the Urban Health Care Coalition in Philadelphia.
