The National Cable & Telecommunications Association announced its Vanguard Awards for 2016. In the science and technology category, JR Walden, SVP, technology, and CTO of Mediacom will take home the honor, which goes to “individuals who have played a significant role in product improvement as well as in the design and development of engineering techniques.”

“Recognized by his Mediacom colleagues as the founder of their Internet business, JR Walden boasts 20 years of experience in the cable industry,” NCTA states in a press release that reviews all of this year’s 10 winners. “Climbing the ranks through the years in positions as director, senior director, vice president, and group vice president of IP services, Walden, as CTO today, leads all the technology and engineering functions for Mediacom, which serves 1.3 million residential and business customers in 1,500 mostly rural and small-market communities.”

Walden manages video and network engineering, operational support systems, network operations, video operations, and CLEC research and development, leading a team of more than 200 engineers, software developers and network operators. He directed Mediacom’s first-ever high-speed data business in its California systems in 1997. At the age of just 27 in 1998, he led the company’s efforts to introduce full DOCSIS broadband service throughout the company’s footprint.

“Walden continues to break new ground today, positioning Mediacom as a national leader in the rollout of 1 gigabit systems,” NCTA concludes in the statement.

The 2016 Vanguard Awards will be presented on May 18 at a ceremony held during INTX: The Internet & Television Expo at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.