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He Made a Difference

We all make a difference. This thought comes to mind with the unexpected and untimely passing of Warren Lee from stroke at age 50. The former CEO of NeoNova, Lee and his team spun off the DSL service from Nortel. This team had developed the multi-megabit modem service; allowing independent telcos to offer DSL services for the first time. NeoNova continued to be a pioneer in that space, becoming a managed services provider for telcos throughout the country.

Warren Lee Presenting at 2009 NTCA Annual Meeting

As such, Warren and his family could be found at most industry events. Warren’s presentations were always informative, thought-provoking and entertaining. He pushed independent telco leaders to look at their operations and marketing through the lens of a modern-day customer and business. In short, Warren’s innovative thinking was grounded in reality and reflected the needs of his audience.

He was one of those rare people who understood technology to a bit and byte level, while having a practical knowledge of business that was concerned about profit and loss. To this end, his last venture was all about helping telcos improve their operational efficiency. Lee saw opportunity for his customers, amidst the challenges of a changing marketplace and regulatory environment. It was fun to catch up with him several months ago and see the excitement on his face as he explained his new project. Sadly for the industry, he won’t be here to lead that effort.

While the loss to the industry is great, the loss to his family is immeasurable. Clearly, Lee had a great passion for his colleagues, but his love for family and his faith shone through in everything he did. He brought his family to industry events; which was always kind of humorous, as he often would have to get two hotel rooms to fit all five kids. He was very proud of his kids and it was clear that he and his wife, Patrice, were giving them the foundation necessary to be exemplary citizens.

Warren made a difference; not only with his kids, but all the people in the industry whom he directly and indirectly touched.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that remembrances may be made to:

The Warren Lee Scholarship Fund
Serra Catholic High School
200 Hershey Drive
McKeesport, PA 15132

Author Ken Pyle, Managing Editor

By Ken Pyle, Managing Editor

Ken Pyle is Marketing Director for the Broadband Forum. The mission of this 25+-year-old non-profit “is to unlock the potential for new markets and profitable revenue growth by leveraging new technologies and standards in the home, intelligent small business, and multi-user infrastructure of the broadband network.”

He is also co-founder of Viodi, LLC and Managing Editor of the Viodi View, a publication focused on the rural broadband ecosystem, autonomous vehicles, and electric aviation. He has edited and produced numerous multimedia projects for NTCA, US Telecom and Viodi. Pyle is the producer of Viodi’s Local Content Workshop, the Video Production Crash Course at NAB, as well as ViodiTV. He has been intimately involved in Viodi’s consulting projects and has created processes for clients to use for their PPV and VOD operations, as well authored reports on the independent telco market.

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8 replies on “He Made a Difference”

I look at people like Warren as role models who give much more to the industry than they receive. It is admirable that he kept himself close to his family even on business trips. I hope his family finds solace in knowing how many professionals in the industry were deeply moved by his work and will miss him dearly.

I will miss the update during industry events on how the family was doing. My thoughts and prayers goes out to the family.

Not only have I loss my mentor but a close personal friend. Warren grasp on technology was amazing. He was instrumental in molding me into the executive I am today and for that I am eternally in his debt. Not only was Warren a great business person he was an outstanding father, husband and friend.

Warren was a great guy and I’m happy to have known him. He was very supportive, sharing, and one of those people that took a moment to stop and talk. I have a lot of good memories and wish his family the best – they were also wonderful to see at events.

My families prayers go out to his.family.

A week later and I feel there is still much that could be said. He was brilliant, yet personable and down to earth. His sense of family and strong values fit well with his customers. I enjoyed every time I got together with him and figured he would be someone I would know for a long time.

Amazingly, the only video interview with him I could find is this one http://www.viodi.tv/2008/04/09/bundling/.

Ken, I just wanted to write back to you to thank you for this wonderful post. It’s one I’ve saved and return to read year over year. It means so much to know the impact my dad had, not just on the industry but on those he met through his work. Your words bring a lot of comfort. He truly did make such a difference. Thank you.

Delaney, it warms my heart that this brief remembrance of your dad warms your heart. He was beloved in the industry. I loved your dad, as he was brilliant, yet down-to-earth with common sense to envy. Although I didn’t get to work with him directly on more than a passing project or two, he is the type of guy that would have been great to work with and/or for. There are certain things that remind me of him, like every time I think of Pittsburgh or North Carolina. He was a great American success story. But, his biggest success and his proudest accomplishment was his great family. I will always remember the two hotel rooms he would need so he could bring all of you along with him. Best wishes to you and the rest of the family.

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