Meet Robert Gessner, retired president of MCTV in Massillon

Robert Gessner, the retired president from MCTV in Massillon, was born, raised and has lived in Stark County for most of his life, except for when he was away attending college and during his early work years.

He has been married to Nancy for 45 years. The couple have two children, Suzanne and Katherine; two great-sons-in-law; three grandchildren; and their dog Scuppers who is also retired.

Gessner graduated in 1972 from Washington High School. He went on to earn his bachelor's degree in business administration from The College of William and Mary in Virginia.

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He went to work at MCTV, which was started by his parents, after returning to Stark County and stayed with the company until thee years ago.

“I wanted to work at MCTV after college,” he said. “Dad recognized that there really wasn’t an opportunity for me at that time, so I needed to be patient. I worked a series of jobs in television, wholesale consumer goods and insurance in Cleveland, New York, Minneapolis and Detroit. In 1978, Dad asked me to come home to launch HBO (the key factor to the rapid growth of cable TV), computerize MCTV’s billing system and expand marketing to consumers. I worked at MCTV for 40 years, retiring on April 19, 2019.”

Would you detail your family-owned business?

MCTV was started by my parents. Dad always gets the credit, but it never would have happened or been successful without Mom. Dad was an impulsive person. Mom was the glue and moderating influence. The company really started when Doc Williams (my mother’s dad) died in 1963. Dad was then a “cable guy” in New York.

On the way home from the cemetery, Dad noticed all the TV towers and decided to start a system in Massillon. My roles changed over the years as MCTV transformed from CATV to cable TV to digital TV to broadband and telephone.

Katherine, my younger daughter, is MCTV’s next-generation leader. The timing of my departure was difficult for her because COVID upset her plans for the company’s future path. She had to make all the difficult decisions about COVID. She did a great job leading MCTV through that challenging time. Of course, she could not do that without the great team at MCTV.

Why did you decide to retire?

In 2001, I developed a list of best practices for successful succession in a family business, informed by a year-long course at Case Western Reserve University.

It led to discussions with Katherine about her interest in joining MCTV and an agreement about her goals before returning. I could have worked longer, but it is best for MCTV to have a young leader. That’s Katherine.

What have you been doing since retiring?

Three things. First, economic development. I chair the Stark Economic Development Board (SEDB). Ray Hexamer (SEDB President) has gathered a great team and, together with a dedicated executive committee and generous community support, have made tremendous progress attracting, retaining and growing large industrial companies; the most efficient way to raise the level of economic wealth of our local economy.

Second, philanthropy. I have been very fortunate, and always been interested in giving back. Beyond charitable gifts, I think philanthropy also means personal effort. I love working with the crew at Habitat for Humanity. It feels great to snap on a toolbelt and work with a group of giving, caring people.

Third, leisure activities. I spend a lot of time reading. I also adopted beekeeping as a hobby to help improve Nancy’s flowers.

Would you list the top three strengths you believe Stark County offers?

Stark County’s natural resources, infrastructure and talent are fundamental to growing our economy and the wealth of the citizens.

Stark County is blessed with a pleasant climate, plentiful water, productive soil, and a central location. We have first-class infrastructure for transportation, education and communication. And, we have a hard-working, highly qualified workforce.

These strengths position Stark County very well to take advantage of upcoming opportunities for economic growth.

One for fun: if you could share a meal with any two individuals, living or dead, who would they be and why?

My grandfather Gessner was a brilliant physicist with a great sense of humor, but I know his life was filled with some wonderful stories and adventures not fully known today. I never had the opportunity to have an adult conversation with him. It would be magnificent to have that chance.

Isaac Newton is one of history’s greatest scientific minds, but also a mystic who practiced alchemy. I would like to ask about this intriguing paradox. How would he explain having one foot in the past and one in such a different future? And, my grandfather would love to join Isaac and me.

Editor's note: Five questions with ... is a Sunday feature that showcases a member of the Stark County community. If you'd like to recommend someone to participate, send an email to newsroom@cantonrep.com.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Five questions with Robert Gessner, retired president of MCTV