David Cohen, Senior Executive Vice President of Comcast, announced last December that he would begin stepping away from his operational responsibilities with the company. As he begins to scale back his enormous workload, Mr. Cohen took the time to talk with PCN about his storied career. A Philadelphia titan, Cohen has spent the vast majority of his life deeply rooted in that community. After college at Swarthmore, and law school at the University of Pennsylvania, he began a successful career in law, politics, and business. Beginning his career at the law firm Ballard Spahr, he would eventually meet Ed Rendell, spurring a relationship that would greatly define his career.

Cohen served as press secretary on Ed Rendell's first failed run for mayor in 1987, before serving as campaign manager during Rendell's successful 1991 bid for the office. Mr. Cohen then accepted a position as Mayor Rendell's chief-of-staff, famously navigating Philadelphia through budget crises in the 90's. After five years working in the Philadelphia mayor's office, he returned to Ballard Spahr to become Managing Partner there.

In 2002, Mr. Cohen was named Executive Vice President of Comcast, beginning a corporate career that would span the next eighteen years. In that time he helped transform Comcast into a vast media conglomerate by pushing mergers, creating new initiatives, and lobbying Congress. In that time he also became Chairman of the University of Pennsylvania Board of Trustees, and has been an involved fundraiser for politicians on both sides of the aisle.

We're excited to share Mr. Cohen's story with you as he begins a transition away from his heavy workload.

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