 
Association:
Mr. Matthew Polka
CEO
American Cable Association
Pittsburgh, PA
412-922-8300
Trade Association for Independent Cable Operators
“Mike Drake knows cable, and he knows business and finance. I have served with Mike for a number of years in our American Cable Association. Mike and his cable company, Milestone Communications, were stellar members of the group, committing to all of the work we did on behalf of independent cable operators. Mike served as a member of our Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and as Treasurer, and Mike was also awarded our highest award, the Lyn Simpson Grassroots Spirit Award, for excellence in advocating the concerns of independent cable operators. Mike was a solid cable operator and a great businessman. His knowledge of finance, operations, and transactions was second to none, and he knows the cable market as well as anyone I have ever met. Work with Mike. You won't regret it.”
Clients:
David A. Dane
Senior Vice President
Atlantic Broadband Finance, LLC
"Atlantic Broadband has had multiple positive experiences over the past five or six years working with Milestone Communications, Inc. in instances where they represented sellers and more recently where they represented ABB as a buyer's broker." "We have been very satisfied with the purchases that we have made as Milestone has gone to great lengths to ensure that we are purchasing high quality assets. Mike and Roxanne employ a hands on approach to managing the transaction process that for ABB as a buyer has proven to be highly effective."
Avis J. Johnson
President
Project Services, Inc. of Minnesota
"Project Services, Inc. of Minnesota recently hired Michael W. Drake, President of Milestone Communications, Inc. to market our cable television systems. Mr. Drake's expertise with small systems brought us not only one but two buyers. Project Services, Inc. would highly recommend Mr. Drake as broker to any cable television system, large or small, wishing to find a buyer. He is very knowledgeable in the cable television industry."
Joyce Scroggs
Secretary
Quincy Community TV Association, Inc.
“Our small, nonprofit cable company worked with Milestone Communications, Inc. and Mike Drake for nearly two years to accomplish the sale of our system on terms that were advantageous to our members. Our board of directors appreciated Mike's availability for our meetings and his support through a lengthy process. Mike was always clear, straightforward, and, ultimately, invaluable. He gave us good advice and kept us informed as he negotiated with the buyer. We couldn't have chosen a better broker for our sale. Our board of directors highly recommends Mike and Milestone Communications, Inc.”
Terry Hughes
President
Retel TV Cable Co.
“Recently, our family-owned and operated cable business was sold through the efforts of Mike Drake and Roxanne Criswell of Milestone Communications, Inc. Although we had over 40 years of experience in ownership and operations, now after the selling process we fully realize the professional expertise that was required for the successful sale of our company. Mike and Roxanne helped us through each phase of selling our cable operations. My family and I are happy with the results of their efforts and are confident that we made the right decision in choosing Milestone Communications, Inc.”
James A. Sturm
President
Mannington TV, Inc.
"In 2007 and 2008, Michael Drake and Milestone Communications, Inc., provided services to our company in connection with the sale of our cable system in Mannington, West Virginia., when I decided to retire. Mike was extremely helpful in our negotiations with the buyer and creative in his ideas for solutions to potential problems that arose during the course of negotiating the Asset Purchase Agreement and the closing of the sale. Without Mike’s intimate knowledge of the industry and the practices of potential buyers, the deal may not have happened at all. I found Mike to be pleasurable to deal with and honest in those dealings. Mike’s experience and knowledge of the industry gives the independent cable operator considering selling their system a distinct advantage in the marketplace and I would definitely recommend his services to any independent cable operator considering the sale of their systems."
Mr. Allen Detwiler
President
Detwiler Communications, Inc.
New Enterprise, PA
814-766-2614
Independent Cable Operator
“In late 2005, Michael Drake and Milestone Communications provided services to my company in connection with the sale of my independent cable system to a mid-size MSO. Mike’s knowledge of the sales process and his hands on participation and expertise were invaluable in the completion of the sale and the closing. His advice and counsel reflected his experience in the industry as both an independent cable operator and as a broker and consultant. I heartily recommend his services. I found him to be honest and of high integrity. I would definitely use his services again in the future if the opportunity arose.”
Mr. Harold Colbert
President
Calvin Cable System, Inc.
Calvin, PA
814-643-0438
Independent Cable Operator
“I have had a business relationship with the Milestone Communications entities and particularly Mike Drake for the past six years. In June of 2006 we sold our independent cable system located in central Pennsylvania to a mid-size MSO. Mike was extremely helpful in our negotiations with the buyer. Over the years as a contractor for the Milestone cable systems, I found Mike to be honest and easy to deal with. I would definitely use his services in the future.”
Mr. Thomas Semptimphelter
CEO
Rapid Communications, LLC
Conifer, CO
303-805-8085
Independent Cable MSO
“In 2006, we purchased a large number of small cable systems in multiple states from a large MSO. In an effort to rationalize these assets, we left open an invitation to the broad cable brokerage community to bring us buyers for most of the systems we then owned. In the past two years, Mike Drake has proven to be the most productive broker in the business, having played a key role in four sale transactions for our company. No other broker or firm was involved in more than one such sale transaction. Mike’s experience as a small cable operator clearly gives him an advantage over other brokers in understanding the basics of the small cable business.
Mr. David Maust
General Partner
Laurel Cable, LP
Berlin, PA
814-445-1896
Independent Cable Operator
“Recently (in 2007) we have been able to sell our cable television systems to a much larger firm that has operations in our area. In the beginning, our efforts to get the deal off the ground proved to be fruitless, not even getting an offer. My partner and I decided to engage the services of a broker after conferring with other small operators in our area that Mike had represented. After receiving very positive input from all involved, it was time to call Mike. From the first conversation, all the way through the closing, we found his services and assistance to be invaluable. Had it not been for his innovative approach with our potential buyer, we would have had no sale at all. Thanks Mike Drake. I hope we can do business again in the future.”
Mr. Douglas Booher
Partner
Booher Brothers Cable
Saltillo, PA
814-448-3806
Independent Cable Operator
“Recently we s old our cable system serving the Waterfall, PA area. When I made the decision to sell I had no idea what would be involved. I was referred to Mike Drake whom I retained as my broker. Mike was very knowledgeable in every facet of the transaction. I would highly recommend his services to any independent cable operator.”
Mr. Thomas Kurien
President
Almega Cable, Inc.
Bedford, Texas
817-685-9588
Independent Cable Operator
“I retained the services of Milestone Communications, Inc. and Mike Drake in the purchase of approximately 17,000 subscribers in ten states. Mike was instrumental in getting this very difficult deal negotiated. It was a difficult transaction due to the many communities and systems involved in the transaction. Overall, dealing with Mike and and the services he provided I would consider an excellent experience in all dimensions of a broker/client relationship’”
Ms. Roxanne Criswell
President
Eagles Mere and Laporte Cablevision, Inc.
Montoursville, PA
570-368-3266
Independent Cable Operator
“Last year, we made a decision to seek a buyer for our cable television systems. Having past successes with Milestone Communications, we chose the firm and Mike Drake to represent our current interests. This decision proved to be prudent. Of primary importance, Mike’s efforts produced the initial offer for our systems that ultimately led to the sale. In addition, throughout the transaction process, Mike continued to be responsive and proactive, a testament to his integrity, thoroughness and experience, providing us as the seller opportunity to foresee potential problems and opportunity to develop solutions. We thank Mike for his expert brokerage services and we appreciate the close working relationship. We could not have done it without him!
Attorney:
Mr. Christopher Cinnamon
Cinnamon Mueller
Chicago, IL
312-372-3930
Preeminent Attorney to Small Independent Cable Operators
And Retained Counsel for the American Cable Association
“I have known Mike Drake since 1998 when I first began to represent the Milestone entities. I have worked with Mike in several different ways over the years; as legal counsel to Milestone, as legal counsel to certain brokerage clients, and as outside counsel to the American Cable Association of which Mike was a board member. I have found Mike to be exceptionally knowledgeable about the cable television industry. He is particularly skilled and experienced in cable mergers and acquisitions and financial analysis. His broad experience gained through years in the industry really shines there. Mike is thorough, hands-on, and practical. Equally, if not more, importantly, his business dealings reflect impressive levels of ethics and integrity. I without hesitation recommend the services of Mike as a consultant and broker to the independent cable operator.”
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