Marcos Vicente, Vice President of Finance and Business Operations for Comcast’s California Region, leads financial and operational management for the global telecommunications and media giant headquartered in Philadelphia. His ascent from technician through the ranks showcases dedication and perseverance on the road to success. Under his leadership, Comcast California remains committed to creating greater digital equity through significant network expansion efforts.
“Throughout my 23-year career at Comcast, several pivotal moments have shaped my leadership approach. Comcast offers a wide range of career development opportunities, which I’ve been fortunate to take advantage of while receiving support from various mentors. It’s been an amazing journey with an outstanding company,” Vicente told the California Business Journal in an exclusive interview.
Vicente has always focused on contributing to something bigger rather than chasing titles. This approach aligns with an old business adage: Instead of promoting individuals who desire to be managers, seek out those who are dedicated to doing a good job. These individuals can lead teams that deliver productive work, benefiting end-users and driving organizational success.
“I’ve learned that two things are always within our control: attitude and effort. By maintaining a positive attitude and putting forth our best effort, we can look in the mirror and confidently say we gave it our all,” Vicente said.
This personal ethos helped him stay focused on the task at hand. His eagerness to learn and ability to always remain adaptable to changes helped him climb rung after rung on the corporate ladder. In the business world, the next step in your career can arise at any moment. If you strive to be the best version of yourself, those opportunities are easier to seize.
“These principles—focusing on contribution, maintaining a positive attitude, giving our best effort, staying adaptable, and consistently performing at a high level—have been key factors in shaping my leadership journey at Comcast,” Vicente said.
As a workplace, Comcast California has recently received accolades from the industry. The San Francisco Business Times recently named it one of the 2024 Best Places to Work in the Bay Area. Comcast was also recognized on Fast Company’s 2023 ‘Best Workplaces for Innovators’ list for the second time, ranking #38 and moving up six spots from its inclusion in 2021. Additionally, Glassdoor, an online workplace community, ranks Comcast California with four stars out of five based on over 17,000 reviews.
Volunteers assemble bicycles for children of Corazon Healdsburg at Emerald Glen Park on Friday, May 17, 2024 in Dublin, Calif. (Don Feria/AP Images for Comcast)
The insights Vicente gained and continues to acquire in this field significantly influence his daily perspective on financial decisions. He believes great leaders are lifelong learners, so he maintains an ongoing practice of job shadowing and going on “ride-alongs” with frontline technicians and other operational teams.
“I believe that, in most cases, the best ideas originate from our employees. This resonates deeply with me, given my privileged journey from starting as a frontline technician to where I am today—an opportunity I never take for granted,” the chief added.
Comcast continues its network expansion as the always-evolving digital world brings new expectations. Comcast California set out to bridge the digital divide in the state, delivering its next-generation solutions to residents and businesses. Financial investments and public-private partnerships fuel the initiative.
Recently, Comcast announced it is investing in expanding its fiber-rich Xfinity network to bring high-speed, reliable broadband to 6,200 unserved locations in Tulare County, California, as part of a broader $4 billion infrastructure investment across the state. This expansion is supported by a Federal Funding Account (FFA) grant from the California Public Utilities Commission and private funding from Comcast. The broadband provider aims to plug previously unserved locations into the network through such partnerships.
“One of my favorite examples of the impact of these expansions is in the Planada community, also in the Central Valley. We brought our network to this rural community in 2023 . At an event there, I met with the owner of a local pastry shop (panadería). He was thrilled that Comcast Business was coming to the area because his internet was so unreliable that he couldn’t use the credit card machine to process payments. Witnessing how our products and services can change the lives of various individuals—parents, students, or business owners—is truly rewarding. This is the ‘why’ of my job in many ways,” Vicente said.
Comcast’s efforts to expand digital infrastructure in the United States are a gravely needed undertaking. Roughly a quarter of adults with household incomes below $30,000 a year (24%) did not own a smartphone in 2021, according to a Pew Research Center survey . About four in ten lower-income adults did not have home broadband services (43%) or a desktop or laptop computer (41%). The majority of U.S. residents with lower incomes were not tablet owners. By comparison, the Pew Research Center found that these technologies were nearly ubiquitous among adults in households earning $100,000 or more a year.
Accessible and affordable digital infrastructure is indispensable to lift people from poverty. A 2023 research study investigated the impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on poverty reduction in 44 sub-Saharan African countries from 2010 to 2019. It found that increased telephone and mobile phone penetration and imports of ICT goods reduce poverty. In contrast, internet and broadband penetration and ICT goods exports tend to increase poverty rates, irrespective of gender and age. The study suggests that to use ICT for poverty reduction effectively, policies should focus on making ICT more affordable.
“For over a decade, Comcast has been committed to bridging the digital divide by connecting individuals to the internet and providing affordable devices to those in need. One key initiative, Internet Essentials, has connected over ten million income constrained households to fast and reliable internet at home, supporting online learning, remote work, tele-health, video calls, and more. The program also offers affordable laptops and free digital literacy training through community partners, highlighting Comcast’s ongoing commitment to making internet access inclusive and accessible,” Vicente said.
Comcast’s product portfolio is expanding to serve the broadband giant’s goal of connecting people. The company’s new NOW products aim to provide value and flexibility, offering reliable connectivity, mobile services, and streaming without long-term commitments or credit checks. Launched near the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), NOW provides a prepaid, month-to-month option at $30 per month, with the option to bundle with NOW Mobile for $55 per month ($25 per line).
The bundle cost is roughly equivalent to three and a half hours of work at California’s minimum wage, which is set to be $16.50 per hour for all employers starting January 1, 2025, according to the State of California Department of Industrial Relations . Fast Food Restaurant employers (effective April 1, 2024) and Healthcare Facility employers (effective June 1, 2024) will also have higher minimum wages.
At the same time, the corporation focuses on offering culturally-relevant options, too. “At Comcast, we are committed to providing unique experiences and products that bring value to Hispanic consumers. NOW TV Latino offers diverse Spanish and English content at a monthly $10 with no additional fees or contracts. Subscribers can access over 25 live Spanish-language streaming channels along with Peacock, either as a standalone service or as an add-on to other Xfinity streaming options,” Vicente said.
NOW TV Latino caters to essential demographics in California, where over 28% of the population, more than 10 million people, speak Spanish at home, according to Figures by Statistical Atlas . (Statistical Atlas analyses data from the U.S. Census Bureau, specifically from the 2010 census and the 2012-2016 American Community Survey.)
Looking ahead, through its Project UP initiative, a $1 billion commitment to advance digital equity, Comcast remains dedicated to leveraging its resources to further digital equity and economic mobility, ensuring that all communities benefit from the opportunities of the digital age. In the past three years, Comcast has invested over $130 million in cash and in-kind donations to California nonprofits that help people build digital skills, expand WiFi-connected Lift Zones, and fund connectivity and internet adoption programs.
“Our commitment to the communities we serve focuses on advancing digital equity by providing internet access, promoting economic mobility, and supporting the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers, and creators,” Vicente concluded.
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