America’s Communications Association Connects Select Grant Spellmeyer as New CEO

WASHINGTON, May 17, 2022 – America’s Communications Association Connects announced Tuesday the selection of Grant Spellmeyer as its President and Chief Executive Officer. Spellmeyer will succeed Matt Polka, who intends to step down in July.

Patricia Jo Boyers, chairman of the trade group that represents smaller and mid-sized cable operators announced the board of directors’ selection.

Spellmeyer is a telecommunications policy veteran and has extensive experience in wireline and wireless industries. He joins ACAC from his previous position as vice president of government affairs at U.S. Cellular Corporation.

“I look forward to working with ACAC’s experienced staff, ACAC members, and federal and state policy makers to strengthen the position of independent companies in the communications marketplace,” Spellmeyer said in a press release. “One overarching goal is to ensure ACAC members continue to succeed in providing consumers with a variety of competitive services – regardless of company size or geography – today and in the future.”

Boyers said “Spellmeyer is highly respected for his knowledge and thought leadership. He understands the challenges ACAC members face every day, and he has the expertise to advocate on our behalf to influence positive change.”

“The committee was united in choosing Spellmeyer as the new leader owing to his solid grounding in the issues and service-first mindset necessary to succeed in the job,” said ACAC.

Polka, a 25-year industry veteran, on May 2 announced his intention to step down.

Spellmeyer’s primary duties at U.S. Cellular legislative and regulatory efforts for 21 states, and he joined U.S. Cellular in 2006 from ACA Connects member company TDS Telecommunications Corp. He had been director of legal affairs at the high-speed internet company providing service to more than 1,100 rural and suburban communities across the U.S., with 1.2 million total connections.

Spellmeyer holds a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School and an MBA from Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University.

Beginning June 1, he will officially be introduced to ACAC members at the Independent Show at Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida on July 24-27, 2022.