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Profile Mary Ball advocates government relations on the job at Cox Communications



Mary Ball Advocates Government

Relations on the Job at Cox Communications and as New Head of Taxpayers Association

When Mary Ball moved to San Diego from Grand Rapids, Mich., to attend college, it was her first time in California.

While at the University of San Diego in the early 1980s, she quickly noticed the differences between San Diego and Grand Rapids , and it wasn’t just the weather. Change, whether in climate or her profession, is something Ball, 35, has grown to accept and love.

She’s seen the county go from being nearly bankrupt to an agency taking a lead role in government outsourcing and efficiency.

Ball also has seen Cox Communications transform from a traditional cable company with 800 staff members to a major telecommunications provider with more than 2,000 employees.

It’s not surprising that as just the second woman to head the county’s most influential taxpayer advocacy group in its 55-year history, Ball is prepared for the changes that lie ahead.

Ball, who is the vice president of government and community relations for Cox Communications, is the new president of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association. She follows San Diego attorney Tom Turner as head of the organization, and said she is prepared to be the top “watchdog” for San Diego’s citizens.

“The San Diego County Taxpayers Association looks at issues that are going to have an effect on taxpayers and often what will have an impact on businesses,” Ball says. “My role is to really shape and guide the role we play in the public policy arena.”

Ball adds one of the top issues before the association is securing an open line of communication with new San Diego Mayor Dick Murphy and the four new council members who took office in November.

“There is a real opportunity for the taxpayers association to play a role and reach out to the new council members and mayor and make them aware of some of the issues we’ve been concerned about for a number of years,” Ball says.

Setting Goals

Among the priorities for the taxpayers association are the city budget, deferred maintenance within the budget, infrastructure and transportation, construction of the Downtown ballpark, a new airport and funding for area libraries.

The taxpayers association has taken a role on those types of issues since its inception more than 50 years ago. The nonprofit group’s voice comes across loud and clear to the public.

Ball says the group has earned it.

“We study the critical issues and put a great deal of analysis behind the position we take,” Ball says. “When there are polls taken, and people are asked what organization has credibility with them, the San Diego County Taxpayers Association comes out the highest.”

Ball joined the group five years ago, bringing with her a strong background in politics and government.

She joined the taxpayers association because she thought it was “very influential,” and she wanted to be a part of it.

Ironically, she entered USD with plans to become a lawyer, not a political advocate. During her senior year, she worked on the 1988 no-growth ballot campaign, and changed her plans.

“Campaigns tend to be very competitive,” Ball said. “It was very intriguing how you lay out your strategy and execute (your plan). The true test to know if you’ve been successful is on election day; you win or lose.”

Ball worked in former California Gov. Pete Wilson’s administration as the director of special projects in the child development and education department. Before that, she worked for San Francisco-based Wilson & McDowell, a public-affairs firm that managed statewide initiative campaigns.

New Challenges

Before joining Cox Communications, she was chief of staff for county Supervisor Dianne Jacob during a time when, she said, “the county was a different place.”

After Jacob was elected to her second term in 1996, Ball began looking for a new challenge. She found it at Cox.

The company implemented plans to break away from the mold of offering only traditional cable services. The Atlanta-based company now offers digital cable and telephone services and high-speed Internet access.

“I was interested in Cox because they were doing so many great things on the technology front and in the community,” Ball says, adding her political experience was a good training ground for future positions. One thing she learned from that experience was “you can never make up time.”

Dan Novak, vice president of programming and communications at Cox, agrees Ball’s past experiences are beneficial to their organization.

“Mary has a real unique and strong set of skills, especially in her strategic thinking,” Novak says. “She plays a key role in this organization.”

Novak says Ball thrives on change and challenges, and it shows through those that surround her.

“With that mindset, I think other people feed on it and it’s really contagious,” Novak said. “It’s easy to see why she plays a key role in the organization.”

Community-Minded

At Cox, Ball oversees all government and community relations, and manages all franchise and regulatory issues, as well as education matters.

Ball and Novak were in unison when stressing the importance of community service and involvement for the company. Cox has implemented numerous programs to assure area schools have access to updated technology.

Two years ago, Cox started the Cox Kids Foundation, which focuses on giving to children and families. Last year, the company awarded nearly $50,000 in scholarships to area students.

“We are a part of the community,” Ball says. “It’s not unique here for folks to be involved in many organizations out there.

“Leadership doesn’t stop when you leave these doors.”

When Ball does leave work, or the executive office of the taxpayers association, she spends time with her family: husband, Jim; 2-year-old son, Hayden; and 4-month-old daughter, Audrey Anna.

She admits it’s hard to balance everything she does, but adds her balancing act has worked well because of a strong partnership with her husband and understanding from her employer.

“Cox is very supportive,” Ball says. “There is a latitude of freedom to do what we need to do to get things done in the organization that doesn’t sacrifice our family life and personal life.”

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