John R. (Dick) Beard, Marc W. Cohen, Chris Fenger, and Thomas Mack Williams IV Named As Pioneers At New Orleans Dinner
For Immediate Release
Contact: Ted Hearn
(202) 713-0826
[email protected]
PITTSBURGH, October 4, 2019 – ACA Connects President and CEO Matthew M. Polka saluted the ACA Connects-affiliated leaders who were inducted into the 53rd Cable TV Pioneers at the prestigious group’s annual dinner held this year at the Ritz Carlton Hotel on Oct. 2 in New Orleans, La.
Polka praised the following ACA Connects Members on joining the Cable TV Pioneers: John R. (Dick) Beard, Director of Business Development, Ervin Cable Construction, and an Associate Board Member of ACA Connects; John C. (Chris) Fenger, EVP & COO Patriot Media; Thomas Mack (Tom) Williams IV, VP of Engineering & Technology, Schurz Communications; and Associate Member Marc Cohen, EVP of Sales & Marketing, Evolution Broadband.
The Cable Pioneers also marked the two decades-plus anniversary of DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification), an international telecommunications standard that allows the addition of high-bandwidth data transfer to an existing cable TV system.
The Cable TV Pioneers recognized the following ACA Connects members for their role in creating the DOCSIS standard: William D. (Bill) Bauer, President & CEO, interTECH; Ed Holleran, Co-Founder, Atlantic Broadband; and Rickey Luke, Chief Technology Officer, Cable TV of East Alabama.
“When it comes to technology, change is the only constant. The Cable TV Pioneers and DOCSIS Pioneers are commended for their extraordinary efforts to position our industry as trailblazing leaders across the country. These individuals demonstrate the value of creative collaboration combined with their passion for excellence,” Polka said.
Polka is a member of the Cable TV Pioneers Officers and Managing Board. In all, 25 individuals with long service to the cable TV business — including the leaders affiliated with ACA Connects — were inducted into the Cable TV Pioneers at Wednesday’s dinner.
“It is an honor to salute these members who have been recognized by their peers for pursuing the highest standards in video and broadband technology,” Polka said. “They have each made a significant and positive difference in our industry.”
As an association, ACA Connects has witnessed how broadband has transformed our industry. This year’s Class of Pioneers played a crucial role in identifying strategies for network expansion, producing new services and building opportunities for Main Street businesses across the country.
Founded in 1966, the Cable TV Pioneers is an independent organization of individuals recognized and honored for their contributions to the cable TV industry.
To be chosen, Pioneers must serve 20 years in the cable industry and must make significant and meaningful contributions to the industry.
The Pioneers has grown from a group of 21 entrepreneurs to more than 700 men and women over the past 50 years. To learn more about the Cable TV Pioneers, please click here.
About ACA Connects: America’s Communications Association – Based in Pittsburgh, ACA Connects is a trade organization representing more than 700 smaller and medium-sized, independent companies that provide broadband, phone and video services to nearly 8 million customers primarily located in rural and smaller suburban markets across America. Through active participation in the regulatory and legislative process in Washington, D.C., ACA Connects’ members work together to advance the interests of their customers and ensure the future competitiveness and viability of their business. For more information, visit: https://acaconnects.org