# Jerald Kent

> Jerald “Jerry” Kent is a St. Louis-based telecommunications entrepreneur and investor who co-founded Charter Communications in 1993 and led it until 2001. He later co-founded Cequel III, helped build Suddenlink, and became chairman and CEO of TierPoint. His community work includes long-running support for Washington University scholarships with his wife, Judy.

- **Role:** Chairman and CEO at Cequel III and TierPoint
- **Organizations:** Cequel III, TierPoint, Charter Communications, Suddenlink Communications, Cencom Cable Associates, Arthur Andersen, AAT Communications, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis Zoo, The Magic House, St. Louis Blues
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Washington University in St. Louis, Olin Business School, Master of Business Administration, Washington University in St. Louis, Olin Business School
- **Known for:** Co-founded Charter and led its growth into a national cable operator., Helped build Suddenlink, valued at $9.1 billion in the 2015 Altice transaction., Inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame in 2012 and Cable Hall of Fame in 2014.

## Career timeline

- **1979** — Began his career as a CPA at Arthur Andersen.
- **1983** — Joined Cencom Cable to lead acquisitions and finance; later became CFO.
- **1991** — Cencom was sold after growing to approximately 550,000 customers.
- **1993** — Co-founded Charter Communications with Barry Babcock and Howard Wood.
- **1998** — Paul Allen acquired Charter; Kent continued as president and CEO.
- **1999** — Led Charter through its November initial public offering.
- **2001** — Left Charter in September.
- **2002** — Co-founded Cequel III with Howard Wood and Dan Bergstein.
- **2003** — Cequel III began managing Classic Communications, a predecessor of Suddenlink.
- **2006** — Cequel III sold AAT Communications; Cebridge adopted the Suddenlink name.
- **2008** — Jerry and Judy Kent established their Olin scholarship program.
- **2015** — Became TierPoint CEO; Altice completed its 70% Suddenlink acquisition in December at a $9.1 billion enterprise valuation.
- **2026** — TierPoint announced a CEO search and Kent’s planned subsequent transition to executive chairman.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Charter and led its growth into a national cable operator.
- Helped build Suddenlink, valued at $9.1 billion in the 2015 Altice transaction.
- Inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame in 2012 and Cable Hall of Fame in 2014.
- Received the cable industry’s Distinguished Vanguard Award for Leadership in 2012.
- Received St. Louis Inno’s Legacy Entrepreneur Award in July 2024.
- Named Junior Achievement of Greater St. Louis Business Hall of Fame laureate in 2025.
- With Judy Kent, supported scholarships awarded to nearly 100 Olin students by March 2026.

## Latest updates

- **2026-03** — TierPoint announced a CEO search; Kent would stay chairman and CEO until a replacement was appointed and then become executive chairman.
- **2026-03** — WashU reported that a $10 million gift from Judy and Jerry Kent supported an endowed Olin deanship and that Kent scholarships had reached nearly 100 students.
- **2025-05** — Recognized as Junior Achievement of Greater St. Louis Business Hall of Fame laureate.

## Links

- Website: https://cequel3.com/our-team/jerry-kent/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-kent-76620b190

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/jerald-kent
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-15