August 21, 2024—At The Independent Show 2024, ACA Connects honored two Members who have exemplified excellent leadership in promoting the success of America’s small and independent operators.
Lyn Simpson Grassroots Spirit Award
LeaAnn Quist, Great Plains Communications
ACA Connects President and CEO Grant Spellmeyer presented LeaAnn Quist with the Lyn Simpson Grassroots Spirit Award. She served on the ACA Connects Board of Directors from 1995-2019. She retired this year from Great Plains Communications as the Senior Director of Product Management.
“The Lyn Simpson Grassroots Spirit Award is given to ACA Connects Members who have demonstrated remarkable dedication to our Mission to advocate and make a lasting difference for smaller, independent providers,” said Spellmeyer. “LeaAnn’s legacy to ACA Connects is clear. Our Member companies are benefitting from her vision, integrity, and leadership. It was my honor to present this award to LeaAnn alongside our Board of Directors. We thank her for her many contributions to our industry and wish her all the best in her retirement.”
“Lyn Simpson was an amazing advocate for our industry as a founding member of ACA Connects. She wore her shoe leather out on Capitol Hill pounding the pavement on behalf of America’s small and independent broadband and cable providers,” said Patricia Jo Boyers, President/CEO & Co-Founder of BOYCOM Vision and Chair of ACA Connects. “LeaAnn and I both are honored to have known her. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award than LeaAnn, who also helped make this PREMIER organization what it is today.”
“From the very beginning of our fledgling association, LeaAnn was there with us standing firm for our independent operator members,” said Matthew Polka, Former President and CEO, ACA Connects, who served with Quist. “Her commitment and service never wavered. Her inspiration and friendship were infectious. ACA is here today because of the longstanding devotion of Board Members like LeaAnn who put principle and doing things the right way first. I wish her my utmost best in her well-deserved retirement with God’s many blessings! Thank you, LeaAnn!”
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 operators.
PAC Leadership Award
Jim Holanda, Astound Broadband
Spellmeyer also presented Jim Holanda, CEO of Astound Broadband, with the ACA PAC Award.
“ACA Connects is grateful for Jim’s outstanding leadership to help us make the strongest impact possible so our Members, including Astound Broadband, are empowered to grow their businesses, create more opportunities, and connect more Americans,” said Spellmeyer. “We thank Jim for leading by example and for his dedication to promoting the interests of independent providers nationwide.”
The ACA PAC Award is presented annually to a Member Company or individual that supports the ACA PAC to help elect both Democratic and Republican candidates in Congress who are champions for small and independent providers in our industry.