Walter E. Oden II

Managing Partner, Oden Development

In the latest twist in a career that’s zigzagged between public and private sectors, Walter E. Oden II recently completed a post-Hurricane Sandy residential rebuilding project on the Poopatuck Reservation in Mastic. He’s also spearheaded the economic development plan for one of the largest historically black colleges and universities in the country, incorporating over $100 million in real estate development and master planning. Through Oden Development LLC, he’s focused primarily on affordable housing and commercial development – a sea change from early corporate roles in the pharmaceutical sector, deal-making stints at MTV and BET, making ergonomic furniture, or the four years he spent managing federal SBA programs. After starting out with Merck, Oden entered the film and television content distribution business, beginning with Time Warner Cable and Comcast Cable in the early 90’s. He was part of the team that launched the Fox News Channel and worked at A&E Television Networks in affiliate marketing programs and Video On Demand. He was also vice president of content distribution for MTV Networks and BET Networks where he oversaw distribution growth, field operations, and new product strategies. A Florida native, Oden received a Bachelor’s degree in Management from Bethune Cookman University and a Master’s degree from Florida A&M University’s School of Business and Industry. He serves on the board of the Cable Television Association of Marketers (CTAM NY), is a 2009 inductee in the Cablefax Sales Hall of Fame and a former board president of National Association of Minorities In Communication (NAMIC) – New York. Oden and his wife, Racquel, live in Sag Harbor with their daughter.