Wilt J. Hildenbrand Jr. Rising Leader Award

Purpose

Identify a rising star in the cable industry, 40 years old or younger, who has made the most significant contributions to the innovations of the cable industry. This award is managed by the SCTE Foundation in Wilt J. Hildenbrand Jr.'s memory. Wilt Hildenbrand was a technology pioneer and industry legend who unexpectedly passed away in 2018 at the age of 70 after a lengthy career that included four decades in the Cablevision organization. In addition to the award, the SCTE Foundation also oversees a scholarship in his memory. For more information about the scholarship see the SCTE Foundation website.

Nominations: Nominations for the 2025 award are due by June 7, 2025. To nominate an SCTE member, please use the nomination form. In addition to the online form, submit the nominee’s resume and photograph, and any supporting documentation, to awards@scte.org.

2024 Recipient

Cole Newman, Senior Director of Implementation, Vyve Broadband

Watch the full acceptance remarks here.

Past Recipients

2023: Serge Kasongo, Comcast Cable Communications
2022: Andrii Vladyka, Harmonic
2021: Rama Assaf-Smith, Comcast Cable Communications
2020: Kerry Zinger, Charter Communications
2019: Chris Zydel, Altice USA
2018: Mariela Anabel Fiorenzo, Telecom Argentina SA*
2017: Lisa Leaunvankham, Comcast Cable Communications*

* In 2019, the award was renamed to honor the legacy of Wilt J. Hildenbrand Jr., with the nomination process to be managed by the SCTE Foundation.