What memories do you have of studying at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, CTU?
I have very fond memories of the faculty. I graduated in 1989, so I spent the final years before the revolution studying, and the post-revolution period was the perfect time for me to launch into life. During my studies, I learned how to understand complex systems, and since I extended my studies by a year, I also had time to pursue things outside of school—culture, music, and sports. It was a beautiful time. If I could, I would go back in a heartbeat; especially if I could go back knowing what I know now, that would be perfect!
Do you still remember any teachers who had a big influence on you?
I wrote my thesis at the Department of Control Engineering, so I remember my advisor Milan Šonka most vividly. He teaches in the USA now. I also remember Václav Hlaváč, who now works at the CIIRC, CTU. And of course, I remember Vladimír Mařík, who was the head of the department back then and chaired the committee for my final state exam. I started to waffle a bit during the control systems exam, but he let it slide and still gave me a top grade.
How did you get into the media industry, and what were the key milestones in your career?
In the fall of 1989, I started my mandatory military service, which lasted nine months. After that, I returned to FEE CTU and began a postgraduate program, but I didn’t finish it. I realized I didn’t want to be a scientist—I wanted to work in business. I started working for a German company that imported computers into the Czech Republic. Around 1995, I began collaborating with the investment and finance group PPF. They put me in charge of the Slavia Prague football club, so I became a “footballer”, in a sense. I’ll admit, it was a completely new experience for me. I spent two years at Slavia, and in that time, I managed to stabilize the club. I was also lucky that during that period, Slavia won the Czech league for the first time in nearly 50 years and made it to the UEFA Cup semi-finals, so the club was doing really well. We sold a lot of players abroad and eventually sold the club to a British investor.
After that, I earned an MBA from the University of Chicago and returned to PPF. I briefly worked in insurance and led the acquisition and development of the first Czech online banking system at eBanka. Then came the opportunity to get involved with TV Nova and I handled its acquisition for Petr Kellner. That experience brought me into the television industry, where I spent eight years at TV Nova and then twelve years at Czech Television.
Have you applied any knowledge from your FEE CTU studies in your career?
Absolutely. My time at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering gave me a strong foundation in understanding and managing complex systems. I learned how to break down difficult problems into smaller parts and see how the elements connect. That skill was essential, especially in media, where you have to constantly adapt to changing circumstances. Another key skill I gained was analytical thinking. Some of my more creatively inclined colleagues didn’t always appreciate that side of me, but I think it helped me integrate both sides of the brain—the creative and the analytical.
What are your current plans and professional goals?
In 2023, I stepped down from Czech Television after twelve years. It became very dear to me during that time, but it’s a closed chapter now. I’m currently working independently and focusing on new projects, mainly in the Czech audiovisual sector.
You recently received the Medal of Merit from the President of the Czech Republic. What does that mean to you?
It’s a tremendous honor, and I’m extremely grateful for it. I see it as recognition not only for my work at Czech Television, which certainly wasn’t easy, but also for how the organization evolved over the twelve years I led it; how it defined its role and position in the Czech media landscape. Throughout that time, it maintained its independence and strived to provide viewers with high-quality and balanced content. I believe that also played a big part in the award.
How do you spend your free time, and what hobbies do you have?
I am lucky that I’ve been able to connect my professional life with my hobbies. In television, I had the chance to meet many inspiring people from the worlds of culture, audiovisual arts, and music, which I really enjoy, so it was a real pleasure. I also like sports; I ski, snowboard, go hiking in the summer, and ride a bike. These days it’s an e-bike, my fitness isn’t quite what it used to be but I still enjoy it. And I can’t forget to mention that I have a band with some friends I met while studying at FEE CTU. We’ve been playing together for 25 years now, and it’s a great way for me to unwind and clear my head since it’s all about the music when we play.
Do you play an instrument in the band?
I’m the singer and rhythm guitarist in our band. It’s called Brumloboys, which, yes, is a bit of a silly name. It comes from the time we used to hang out in Brumlovka in Prague 4 during our studies at FEE CTU. We’d go to a small bar there, play the guitar, and sing campfire songs. For my 35th birthday, I bought myself an electric guitar, I had always wanted one, and that’s around the time the band officially formed. We mostly play music from the ’70s and ’80s, but punk is our favorite genre.
What advice would you give to students who are thinking about their future careers?
I have a few pieces of advice. First, learn languages. Don’t just stick to English, but learn French, German, Spanish or any language that opens up new possibilities. Second, don’t box yourself into one field and stay open to new opportunities, even outside your specialization. You might find that they lead you in a good direction. Third, don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Mistakes are a part of learning, and if you take something away from them, they’ll help you grow. Fourth, don’t be intimidated by authority figures who have more experience. On the contrary, try to get close to them, learn from them, and don’t hesitate to approach them, because that can help you grow immensely. And finally, don’t forget to also make time for activities outside of school as they’re important for clearing your head every now and then.
Photo credit: Petr Neugebauer, FEE CTU
