Results Underscore Stability and Continuity at the top of the Association
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL., July 25, 2022 – Patricia Jo Boyers, President/CEO & Co-Founder of BOYCOM Vision, today was re-elected to a new two-year term as Chairman of ACA Connects. Vice Chairman Mike Bowker, who is Chief Operating Officer of Cable One, was also re-elected to a new two-year term. The ACA Connects members also voted to extend the terms of five incumbent ACAC board directors.
The election results demonstrate stability and continuity at the highest levels of the organization as it prepares for many legal and regulatory challenges, including major government action in promoting broadband deployment via the Commerce Department’s $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
“I am honored to continue as Chairman of ACA Connects at a time when the challenges have never been more serious or consequential. As in the past, my role is to ensure that ACAC staff have the tools they need to work on our behalf and our members have all the information they need to ensure positive outcomes, especially as government broadband dollars begin to flow to the states,” Boyers said.
“I’m very pleased to continue to serve with Patty Boyers in these important leadership roles at ACA Connects, an organization that protects and promotes the interests of more than 600 independent video and broadband providers in the hallways of government in Washington, D.C., and increasingly across the U.S.,” Bowker said. “With a massive influx of government broadband money on the way, we will do everything we can to ensure this funding is used wisely in helping close the digital divide.”
Bowker oversees the day-to-day operations of Cable One and its family of brands – Sparklight, Fidelity, Valu-Net, Hargray and CableAmerica. Based in Phoenix, Ariz., Cable One is a leading broadband communications provider serving more than 1.1 million residential and business customers in 24 states.
Boyers is the owner and operator of a small, rural cable and broadband company with her husband, Steve, in Poplar Bluff, Mo., a venture the entrepreneurial pair started about three decades ago. Today, their company serves about 5,100 customers.
ACA Connects President and CEO Grant Spellmeyer, who became ACAC’s new leader on June 1, thanked Boyers and Bowker for their leadership and dedication to the organization.
“As ACAC’s new leader, I am truly appreciative that Patty and Mike have agreed to work with me and the ACAC staff over the next two years to build on the many successes we had over the past few years. With Patty and Mike at my side, I am confident that ACAC can meet the challenges ahead in advancing the interests of our members.”
ACAC’s election results were announced today at ACAC’s annual Members Meeting at the 17th Independent Show at Disney World. The Independent Show is a special gathering that unites a range of industry participants, including company leaders, informative speakers, tech vendors and various supporters of the independent video and broadband industry.
In keeping with long tradition, this year’s Independent Show was co-sponsored by the National Content & Technology Cooperative (formerly the National Cable Television Cooperative) and ACA Connects – America’s Communications Association.
In other election results, the following individuals were elected to new three-year terms on the ACAC Board of Directors:
- Leslie Brown, SVP & General Counsel, Breezeline
- Carla Framil-Ferran, VP of Legal, Liberty Puerto Rico
- Ed McKay, EVP & COO, Shentel
- Drew Petersen, SVP-Corporate Affairs, TDS
- Bob Wieand, Controller, Service Electric Cablevision
“The Board of Directors elected today have the talent and deep experience that will surely translate into future success for ACAC. Their advice and guidance will be invaluable in telling our Members’ story and highlighting all the great things happening in their markets and communities fueled by a light-touch, investment-friendly regulatory environment,” Spellmeyer said.
About ACA Connects: America’s Communications Association –America’s Communications Association – ACA Connects is a trade organization representing more than 500 smaller and medium-sized, independent companies that provide broadband, video, and phone services covering 31.9 million households, 7.3 million of which are located in rural and smaller suburban markets across America. ACA Connects Members operate in every state, providing advanced communications to connect homes, companies, main street, schools, hospitals and more. America’s economic prosperity in smaller communities and rural areas depends on the growth and success of ACA Connects Members, who believe a connected nation is a prosperous nation.