Donald Mathison, a long-time cable veteran who held senior positions at six early media conglomerates, died Feb. 7. He was 72 years old.

Mathison was a pioneer in the cable industry, serving in senior positions at Times Mirror, Providence Journal, Media General, Group W Broadcasting and Cable and Warner Communications. After Media General was sold to Cox Communications in 1999, Mathison, who had served as SVP of programming and marketing at Media General, founded cable consultant Broadband Solutions Group, which focuses on internet video, broadcasting and cable TV.

Mathison was named to The Cable Center’s Cable Pioneers in 1991. 

He is survived by his wife, Sandra "Sandy" Feldman; daughter, Nicole (Ed) Frankenberg; his son, Jason (Nicole) Mathison, Marc (Marla) Feldman; Jodi (Justin) Renert and his eight grandchildren, Nicholas, Abigail, Grant, Wade, Justin, Darren, Ryan, and Sienna. Services and shiva will be held Feb. 13 at the home of Mark and Marla Feldman at 7 p.m.