40 UNDER forty

Each year, since 2006, the editors of Multichannel Newshave chosen 40 movers and shakers under the age of 40 who are helping their companies grow and succeed, while playing an important part in mapping the future of the multichannel video and telecommunications businesses. These individuals represent a cross-section of disciplines: networks, operators, finance, technology, programming, marketing and customer service. But they all have one thing in common: they've come a long way in a relatively short time and continue to make invaluable contributions in their area of expertise. By no means intended as a comprehensive list, here is a sampling of some of the key people, under a certain age, moving and shaping the industry.

ILYAASNIS

Vice President, Engineering, Sling Media

EchoStar

Age: 38

lllya Asms heads up all of engineering for EchoStar's Sling Media, which to date has created the only out-of-home viewing solution that has not been challenged in court, according to the company. He personally holds several patents relating to video compression and motion compensation and leads a te \ r 200 engineers, inducinga ~rge ice n en~e re rdie

Born In St. Petersburg, Russia, Asnls worked from therefor U.S. video-compression startup Alaris, where he helped create "Videogram" - possibly the first video email software back In 1996 - "way ahead of its time," he said.

He moved to California in 2001 and has remained there, "enjoying the weather, high concentration of technology companies and two high-maintenance kids (7 and 10 years old)."

After moving to the U.S., he continued to work with digital video compression and streaming for various applications and market segments. So, joining Sling Media in 2006 was a natural fit.

"I enjoy working on technology arid products for the consumer market - to see millions of people using your devices and software is an ultimate positive feedback loop," he said.

LISA BARROSO

Vice President, Distribution

Crown Media Family Networks

Age: 32

Lisa Barroso oversees a seven-member team spread out. over three locations, coordinating all field-sales activities in distribution and affiliate sales for Hallmark channel and Hallmark Movie Channel.

Based in Chicago and reporting to Laura Lee, senior vice president of distribution, she is charged with developing and implementing affiliate sales strategies targeted at increasing distribution and subscribe! revenues,...