Trade Group Recognizes Two Industry Leaders Who Made A Difference
BOSTON, July 22, 2015 – At this year’s 10th Independent Show, the American Cable Association honored two recognized industry leaders — Terry Nidiffer of GCI and Christopher Cinnamon of the Cinnamon Mueller law firm – for making outstanding contributions to independent cable operators and providing critical leadership to help build support for new laws and regulations designed for smaller, full-service communications providers.
Terry Nidiffer is Alaska-based GCI’s Vice President of Product Management. An ACA board member and executive committee member since 2007, Nidiffer is stepping down ahead of his planned company retirement this year.
“Everyone at ACA is so very thankful to Terry and for his many years of distinguished service on the ACA board, where his leadership talent, attention to detail, and incredible energy improved ACA’s planning and ability to deliver results in Washington, D.C.,” ACA President and CEO Matthew M. Polka said.
Christopher Cinnamon was Cinnamon Mueller’s longtime lead partner, building a team of highly talented lawyers providing service to cable operator clients on a range of issues, including local franchising requirements, developments in federal regulations, and cable system transactions. On June 30, Cinnamon left the Chicago-based firm to explore new opportunities.
“In every policy battle we entered, Chris Cinnamon was always there to offer wise counsel, strategic advice, and leadership to guide our actions as an organization. Chris served ACA with integrity and dedication. As someone who always shared the credit, Chris was a solutions-oriented team player with a strong work ethic that we all admired,” Polka said.
On the ACA Eagle Award, the inscription reads: “For Your Commitment, Dedication, Sacrifice And Significance To Independent Cable Businesses Everywhere, We Are Forever Grateful. You Have Made A Difference!
The Eagle Awards were presented before hundreds of ACA Members attending the Independent Show, an annual forum held to address key public policy issues facing independent cable operators. The event is hosted by ACA and the National Cable Television Cooperative (NCTC), a Lenexa, Kansas-based group that buys programming and equipment for U.S. cable operators. Please find more show news on Twitter at #TIS15.
About the American Cable Association: Based in Pittsburgh, the American Cable Association is a trade organization representing nearly 850 smaller and medium-sized, independent cable companies who provide broadband services for nearly 7 million cable subscribers primarily located in rural and smaller suburban markets across America. Through active participation in the regulatory and legislative process in Washington, D.C., ACA’s members work together to advance the interests of their customers and ensure the future competitiveness and viability of their business. For more information, visit