ELKRIDGE, Md. -- Optinel Systems, a privately-held provider of optical transport systems for the cable television industry, has named Jim Kuhns the Director of Network Engineering. “Jim’s extensive background in the cable industry as a technical trainer and manager will be valuable in getting our company aligned with the demands and needs of cable operators,” said Jim Faust, CEO. “His technical expertise will be a valuable asset to Optinel as we continue to deploy equipment in the cable television industry.” Mr. Kuhns comes to Optinel from Terayon Communication Systems, where he was the director of field support, responsible for all aspects of field support in the Americas and technical training worldwide. Kuhns’ four-year tenure at Terayon was preceded by two separate stints at Comcast Cablevision as Midwest regional director of technical services. His stay at Comcast book-ended a one-year post at Ameritech New Media as manager of network commissioning, video office operations. Before Comcast, Kuhns held four-year terms at both Continental Cablevision of Michigan and Summit Cable Services as technical training manager and engineering manager, respectively. He started his career in the cable industry as a maintenance and repair technician for Storer Cable in 1982.A distinguished member of the Society of Cable Telecommunication Engineers (SCTE), Kuhns is a Fellow Member who has served as chairman of the SCTE National Board of Directors and has been involved heavily with the organization at both the national and local levels. Kuhns’ extensive work in the cable industry also includes published work as author of Satellite Calculations Handbook and bylines for articles in publications like Literature Library, CED, Communications Technology and International Cable. Optinel Systems