Off Topic: In Memoriam: Mike O'Hara (1960-2007)
I always enjoyed my conversations with Mike at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. He will be missed. -Auri
The official release from Thomson:
Thomson has announced the passing of Michael D.
O’Hara, 46, who served 24 years with the company and led the successful launch
of the RCA DIRECTV Digital Satellite System in 1994.
“Mike will always be known for his incredible energy and the joy with which he
lived his life. In addition to leading Thomson’s consumer businesses for
many years, he was a man of very strong faith and helped dozens of people and
causes throughout central Indiana. We have a lost a powerful and loving
colleague, and a rare man who could assemble the right team to tackle nearly
any task,” said Al Arras, Senior Executive Vice President of Thomson.
O’Hara succumbed to cancer, after a brief illness. He left Thomson last
year to form Summus Ventures, a consulting firm based in Indianapolis.
Although best known as the executive who led the launch of high-power
direct-to-home mini-dish satellite systems under the RCA brand in the 1990s,
O’Hara started his career in the consumer electronics industry with General
Electric.
In January of 2000, Mike was named Executive Vice President of Worldwide Sales
and Marketing for Thomson’s TV, A/V, Accessories, and Communications
businesses, a $3 billion enterprise with 10,000 employees.
Mike’s immediate family includes his wife Diane and three children.
Funeral arrangements are pending.