Steven Gines, Longtime Cable Purchasing Exec, Dies

Steven L. Gines, a longtime purchasing executive with Time Warner Cable and Jones Intercable, died on March 2, after a brief illness, at age 68, according to family members and friends.

Gines was director of procurement at Time Warner Cable from 1990 until he retired in 2006. He joined the cable industry in the early 1980s as purchasing director for Jones Intercable in Denver.

At Time Warner Cable, he was instrumental in creating the SAC (Strategic Alliance Coalition), according to colleagues. This was an innovative and progressive synergistic approach to communicate, work, and create partnerships with the cable industry's vendor community.

Friends said he was well known for his trademark salutation, "howdy-howdy and hi-o-ho," and that he was well liked by colleagues and considered firm but friendly and fair with vendors he dealt with.

A memorial service is planned for March 20 in Tellico Village, Tenn., where he lived, friends said.