Alumnus to head Hispanic network

By Alisha Brown
Staff Reporter

James A. Ryffel was named Wednesday as the interim Chief Executive Officer of Hispanic Television Network, Inc., the United States’ third largest Spanish-language television broadcaster.

Ryffel, a well-known TCU alumnus and contributor to the university, has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for HTVN since 1999.

The appointment came because the company is in the process of negotiating to find a strategic partner, Ryffel said. The partner decision could influence the appointment of the next full-time CEO. The decision is expected in approximately the next six weeks, he said.

“I understand the role of a CEO in a company,” Ryffel said in a press release. “When you take on the position of Chairman of the Board, you understand that you have a responsibility to the share holders to promote the company and achieve the greatest success.”

Ryffel is familiar with success. He is also the founder of the HTVN, president of Woodcrest Enterprises, a founding investor and former director of FlashNet Communications and director of Worth National Bank in Lake Worth. He also serves as a member of TCU’s Board of Trustees.

“Having Jim Ryffel take the reigns in the interim is an enormous boost to this company,” Ash R. Huzenlaub said in a press release. “The combined assets of Ryffel’s ability to negotiate and strategize, along with his leadership, provides HTVN’s management with the support they need to execute on the opportunity before them.”

Ryffel has come back to TCU to speak and share the lessons following the success of his career. He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees and a ranch management certificate from TCU.

In March 2000, he and his wife Linda publicly made a donation of $6 million to TCU’s entrepreneurship center that was later named after him. His appointment as CEO will bring with it different kinds of lessons due to the economic time period in which it comes.

“They are lessons that many companies are learning how to deal with,” Ryffel said. “There is a lot to the thought process — laying off people, reducing payroll, reducing expenses and adjusting to a leadership change.”

But he views the experience as part of the business cycle and is looking forward to steering and strategizing the company’s future, he said.

“As interim CEO there will be times that both challenge and enhance a person’s character,” he said. “It is a great learning experience that can only be understood when you’re in the situation.”

Alisha Brown
a.k.brown@student.tcu.edu