Awards

Independent Operator Of The Year

Presented annually by Cablefax Magazine and sponsored by ACA Connects: America’s Communications Association and the National Content & Technology Cooperative (NCTC), this honor recognizes an ACA Connects/NCTC independent cable operator that has distinguished itself by exemplifying excellence in service, sales, marketing, community service and industry advocacy.

Recipients

  • 2023 GCI
  • 2022 Armstrong Utilities
  • 2021 TDS Telecom
  • 2020 Hotwire Communications
  • 2019 Vast Broadband
  • 2018 ImOn Communications
  • 2017 Shentel
  • 2016 Cincinnati Bell
  • 2015 MCTV
  • 2014 Comporium
  • 2013 Cable One
  • 2012 Wave Broadband
  • 2011 GCI
  • 2010 NewWave Communications
  • 2009 NPG Cable, Inc.
  • 2008 WOW! Internet, Cable & Phone
  • 2007 Armstrong
  • 2006 Patriot Media
  • 2005 Buford Media

Eagle Award

The ACA Connects Eagle Award is presented annually to an individual who is an ACA Connects member who has served in the cable television industry for at least 15 years and whose achievements in that time have significantly benefited the cable television industry. Their dedication, effort, and service to the industry stand as an inspiration to his/her colleagues.munity service and industry advocacy.

Recipients

  • 2022 James Gleason, Vexus Fiber
  • 2019 Bob Gessner
  • 2016 Bill Beaty, Comporium
  • 2015 Terry Nidiffer, GCI
  • 2015 Chris Cinnamon
  • 2013 Steve Friedman, Wave Broadband
  • 2009 Martin Brophy, Shen-Heights TV Cable
  • 2008 Pat Thompson, RBC Daniels
  • 2008 Steve Weed, Wave Broadband

Chairman’s Award

The ACA Connects Board of Directors’ Chairman Award is given to the board’s chairman for their leadership and vision for Independent Cable. The award is normally presented at the end of the Chairman’s term.

Recipients

  • 2019 Jim Gleason
  • 2019 Robert Gessner, MCTV
  • 2014 Colleen Abdoulah, WOW! Internet, Cable & Phone
  • 2010 Steve Friedman, Wave Broadband
  • 2008 Patrick Knorr, Sunflower Broadband
  • 2006 Jim Gleason, Vast Broadband
  • 2002 Steve Weed, Wave Broadband
  • 1999 Bill Mitchell, Com South Cable
  • 1998 Ben Hooks, Buford Media
  • 1997 David Kinley, Sun Country Cable

PAC Leadership Award

The ACA PAC Award is presented annually to an ACA Member Company or individual that demonstrates awareness of the importance of contributing to the ACA PAC to help elect both Democratic and Republican candidates in the U.S. House and Senate who are concerned about the well being of independent cable operators.

Recipients

  • 2023 Patrick Knorr, Astound Broadband
  • 2023 Cable One (Corporate)
  • 2022 John Gdovin, Astound Broadband
  • 2019 Patrice Carroll, ImOn Communications
  • 2017 Paul Hannigan, Bee Line Cable
  • 2017 Big Sandy Broadband (Corporate)
  • 2016 Shentel (Corporate)
  • 2016 Jim Holanda, Patriot Media Management
  • 2015 GCI
  • 2015 Steve Weed
  • 2014 MCTV & Julie Laulis
  • 2013 John Gdovin, RCN
  • 2013 Tom Steel, Atlantic Broadband
  • 2012 Ronald Duncan, GCI
  • 2012 Armstrong
  • 2011 Nancy Gessner, MCTV
  • 2011 GCI
  • 2011 Belinda Dunivan, Windjammer
  • 2010 Wave Broadband
  • 2010 Tom Might, Cable ONE
  • 2010 Earl Kuhn, Kuhn Communications
  • 2009 Colleen Abdoulah, WOW! Internet, Cable & Phone
  • 2009 Buckeye Cable Systems
  • 2008 WOW! Internet, Cable & Phone
  • 2007 Cable One
  • 2006 Jim Gleason, New Wave Communications

Lyn Simpson
Grassroots Spirit Award​

The Lyn Simpson Grassroots Spirit Award is presented to an ACA Connects Member who has demonstrated:

  • Dedication to the ACA Connects grassroots mission of political activism;
  • Commitment to the success of smaller, independent cable businesses;
  • Personal sacrifices in time and effort;
  • And results that have made a difference to our members.

Lyn Simpson of Sun Country Cable in California was one of ACA Connects’ founding members and early staff members who, despite many challenges, worked tirelessly in Washington and back home to lobby Congress and represent the concerns of all independent cable operators.

Recipients

  • 2023 Theresa Sunde, Mediacom Communications
  • 2022 Marty Carollo, All West Communications
  • 2017 Brian Lynch – Schurz Communications
  • 2016 Danny Jobe – Metrocast
  • 2015 Chad Lawson – Murray Electric System
  • 2014 John Higginbotham – Frankfort Plant Board
  • 2013 John Strode – Ritter Communications
  • 2012 Chris Kyle – Shentel
  • 2010 Jim Beattie – Bevcomm
  • 2009 Chad Winters – Cass Cable TV
  • 2008 Harron Communications
  • 2007 Jim Gleason – New Wave Communications
  • 2006 Michael Drake – Milestone Communications
  • 2005 Patrick Davis – Davis Communications

Partnership Award

The ACA Connects Partnership Award is presented annually to an Associate Member who:

  • Has demonstrated dedication and support to the mission of ACA Connects and to the success of smaller, independent cable businesses;
  • Has encouraged our efforts and contributed to our growth

Recipients

  • 2023 Calix
  • 2022 OpenVault
  • 2019 Crown Media
  • 2017 NCTI
  • 2016 Scripps
  • 2015 Discovery
  • 2014 Adara
  • 2013 Outdoor Channel
  • 2012 Viamedia

Rob Shema Servant Leader Award

The Rob Shema Servant Leader Award is presented annually to an ACA Connects Member who has demonstrated selfless leadership and commitment to independent operators.

Recipients

  • 2023 Stacey Slaughter, NCTI
  • 2022 Mike Bowker, Cable One
  • 2022 Pat Thompson, Pat Thompson Co.
  • 2020 Rob Shema, ACA Connects
  • 2020 LeaAnn Quist, Great Plains Communications
  • 2020 Tina Pidgeon, GCI