Star Staff Reports
JONESBORO, Ark — John Strode, Ritter Communications’ Vice President of External Affairs was named recipient of the Lyn Simpson Grassroots Spirit Award at the American Cable Association 9th Independent Show recently in Kansas City, Missouri. “ACA honors with its highest awards those people who rank among the most dedicated and thoughtful professionals in the entire communications industry,” said American Cable Association President and Chief Executive Officer Matthew M. Polka. “Now in its 21st year of operation, ACA wouldn’t be the success story it is if not for their commitment of time and resources to achieving positive public policy outcomes for the independent cable community.” The Lyn Simpson Grassroots Spirit Award is presented each year to an individual embodying the passion and commitment that Lyn brought to the small operator community in her role as an ACA founding member in the early 1990s. “I’m honored,” said Strode. “It’s very rewarding to work for a company like Ritter to advocate policies that are in the best interest of our customers.” Strode is responsible for Ritter’s relations with governmental agencies/entities, contract negotiations and administration and compliance with all regulations and franchise requirements for all the company’s operations. He has worked in utility-related positions for 34 years, and as an executive at Ritter for the last 18 years. John and his wife Wanda live in Jonesboro and have two daughters – Carrie Swinea of Desha, Arkansas and Emily Strode of Jonesboro. “The inscription on the Lyn Simpson award says ‘You have made a difference!’” said Ritter Communications Chief Financial Officer Greg Smith. “Nothing is more appropriate as a well-deserved tribute to John’s leadership in the industry and his accomplishments at Ritter.” Five top awards were presented before hundreds of ACA members attending the annual cable industry forum organized to address key public policy issues facing the independent cable operator. About Ritter Communications Ritter Communications, founded in Marked Tree, Arkansas and headquartered in Jonesboro, began providing local phone service in 1906. Today, Ritter serves 59 communities and more than 45,000 customers in northeast and north central Arkansas as well as west Tennessee with advanced voice and data services typically found only in major metropolitan areas. Ritter invests heavily in the communities it serves by deploying proven, best-in-class infrastructure and technology while coupling it with a world-class customer focused experience. Residential consumer services include local and long distance phone service, cable television and high speed Internet. Business services include customized communications systems and services, including broadband Internet services, Managed Voice, data center services, Ethernet connectivity, customized networking and hosted applications. For more information, visit rittercommunications.com or facebook.com/rittercommunications. 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 www.americancable.org.
