Cablefax The Magazine August 2022 - 17

Those early days saw Polka working out
of an office in Pittsburgh sublet from Star. He
linked up quickly with lobbyist Rhod Shaw of
The Alpine Group, a relationship that is still in
full force today. But there were some doubts
in the beginning. " He called me out of the
blue and said, 'Hey, I need some help on an
issue. Some people suggested that I call
you,' " recalls Shaw. Polka proceeded to tell
him about the problem, the particulars lost to
time. But what Shaw does remember quite
well is Polka explaining that the association
had just lost on the Senate floor 99-to-nothing
and the House passed a bill the group
didn't like 412-to-8. " He said, " You can tell I
need help, and I'd like to hire you.' I told him
that I actually didn't want to take his money
because I couldn't help. You needed help a
while ago, " says Shaw.
As often is the case, Polka persuaded Shaw
to get on board anyway. And like the underdog
that ACAC has always been, they pulled
out a win, with Shaw working to convince
Sen. Phil Gramm to reconsider and hold
up the bill's conference. " Most people probably
don't remember the first conversation
with somebody, but I remember my first one
with Matt, " laughs Shaw.
When the organization first emerged, it
wasn't met with open arms, because ACAC's
mission didn't always align with NCTA or
other established players. " When we came
on the scene in D.C., we weren't really welcomed.
We were seen as outsiders trying to
upset what was a fairly comfortable applecart, "
explains Polka. " When I look back, one
of the things I'm most happy about is that
over time, I think everybody has come to see
us now not as anti-industry, but as zealous
advocates for our members and their unique
issues. We love our industry and want to do
everything we can to see it prosper because
we are a part of it. "
Over the years, Polka became a regular
at events and serves as Secretary Treasurer
for the Cable TV Pioneers. " We made a very
strategic point to be a part of these groups,
to reach out to state associations and provide
our help and support if they need us
for a sponsorship or for a speaker, " he says.
" That's something that I think has made a
difference for us-being willing to go where
we're needed. You could look at it cost effectively
and say, plane trip, hotel, time? How
many people were there? Was that really
worth it? And the answer is absolutely yes,
because of the relationships that we built as
a result of it. Not only just solid relationships
with our members and associate members,
but lifelong friendships as well. "
Now that retirement is here, Polka is refocusing
his efforts on his church and family.
" To do my job the right way, it's meant a lot
of time away, visiting with members, being
at conferences and developing relationships.
So, the first thing I want to do is to honor [my
wife Sharman] and give my time back to her, "
he says. His lengthy to-do list includes volunteering,
traveling, serving on industry boards
and even writing a book about the history of
ACAC. Maybe even a podcast, he adds. " I'd
love to explore this issue of civility, not only in
Washington, but also in our culture, to reach
out to people from all walks of life, but also
come back to the political side and say, 'why
can't we get along better?' "
If anyone can teach us, Polka might just be
the man. 
ASTOUND BROADBAND CONGRATULATES
MATTHEW
POLKA
Cablefax Founders Circle Award
Thank you for your work and dedication.
The Astound team congratulates all
Cablefax Top Ops Award winners.
CablefaxTopOps.com
August 2022
TOP OPS 17
https://www.astound.com/ http://www.CablefaxTopOps.com
Cablefax The Magazine August 2022

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