Meet Denise Natali-Paine, the vice president for Cox Business.
Tell us a little about your business. – While the Cox name is familiar to many of us as our local television and internet provider, Cox Business (www.cox.com) focuses on delivering secure, next-gen technologies and platforms that enable our business customers to succeed in a digitally driven economy. My role is to provide executive oversight and holistic accountability to ensure our commercial strategy and community investments deliver on our promise for mutual growth.
How did you get started in the business? – I served in the military in a variety of roles in the U.S., Europe, the Caribbean, and Africa. I was appointed to lead digital network and systems transformations. After leaving active duty, my career evolved into technology sales leadership where I had the opportunity to be a part of several fascinating companies as we launched innovations in software, cybersecurity, and connected infrastructure.
Tell us a little about your family. – We’ve lived all over the world. My husband and I moved here from Louisville, KY and Duxbury, MA this past summer. Prior to that, we’ve lived in eight states, Germany, and Austria. We have four adult children—a daughter who is a doctor and army medical officer in Kentucky, a son who is a disabled combat veteran and custom Jeep mechanic, a step daughter who is a senior construction manager in New York, and a son currently in his senior year at University of Maine.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – My favorite way to experience Nebraska is from the back of a horse. Anything that connects me with nature is a blessing.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I’m a national award winning cartoonist. I’ve had several comic strips and am proud to have won several journalism awards over the years for my art.
Who inspires you? – The people I work with. I came to Omaha as a stranger three months ago and they have made me feel so welcome. We heard about “Nebraska Nice” before we arrived and are humbled by how real it is.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – A former commander of mine told me to “Always be relevant.” It’s made more and more sense to me over the years.
If you had a theme song, what would it be? – “Dream On” by my hometown Aerosmith boys.
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – The Salvation Army, Town & Country Humane Society, and Habitat for Humanity. Being part of a family extends beyond our own walls and our community is richer when we provide for each other.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – MG Lewis MacKenzie’s Peacekeeper: The Road to Sarajevo. It is a significant book that details the civil war in Bosnia. I had the honor of meeting Gen MacKenzie and worked closely with our Canadian and UN forces during this timeframe, so it has very special pertinence to me.
What is your favorite movie? – Top Gun because I was living in Vienna when it came out and it felt so American.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Marthe Cohn. She is an author, a nurse, a holocaust survivor, and former spy.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – denise.natalipaine@cox.com; www.cox.com.