THOUSAND OAKS : GTE Executive Airs Cable Service Plans

Executives of some of the most prominent companies in Thousand Oaks--including Amgen and Southern California Edison--gathered Tuesday to welcome to the area the new regional president of GTE.

M.L. (Red) Keith, was appointed regional president of GTE-California in April. The luncheon meeting, held at the Westlake Village Inn, was organized by the Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce to introduce Keith to the local business community and to promote interaction between companies.

Speaking before about 25 executives, Keith outlined GTE’s plans for bringing its cable service to Ventura County. The company hopes to install its cable lines, capable of carrying approximately 200 channels, in five local communities within the next year. The system will bring GTE into direct competition with local cable services.

“The good news is the consumer is going to have a lot more choices,” he said.

Thousand Oaks City Manager Grant Brimhall, whose city is one of those GTE hopes to wire, welcomed the possibility of cable competition.

“We’re captive audiences here in Ventura County, and your coming here will be a blessing to us,” he said.

During the luncheon, Keith, who previously served as an assistant vice president of engineering operations for GTE Telephone Operations, also received a resolution from the state Senate, delivered by state Sen. Cathie Wright (R-Simi Valley) thanking his company for its charitable contributions after recent natural disasters.