Jim Shortal

Jim is the Assistant Vice President of Enterprise Business Continuity for Cox Communications, reporting to the Sr. Vice President of Operations and Network Expansion. Jim and his team work closely with the Cox operating groups in 17 states to develop and refine all-hazards business continuity and emergency operations plans, develop and deliver training and plan exercises, and coordinate preparation and response activities during all emergency situations. He also works on collaboration initiatives with local, state, and federal agencies to promote efficient response capabilities. Jim has been a speaker at numerous industry forums, including the National Emergency Management Association, multiple Department of Homeland Security events, many State Emergency Management and Homeland Security conferences, The Rollins School of Public Health, and the Institute of Medicine. Jim currently serves as the Chairman of the Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery Subcommittee of the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE), the standards setting body of the industry. Jim began his career in business continuity in 1989. He has managed a national network of disaster recovery hot sites and his own business continuity consulting firm for 7 years. He has served as Disaster Recovery and Facilities Manager for Wal-Mart’s Information Systems Division, and as Director of Crisis Management and Business Continuity for The Home Depot prior to joining Cox in 2008. Jim is certified as a Lead Auditor for the ISO 22301 Business Continuity Standard.