By Ryan G Sexton
Manager - Community Marketing and Programming
In a heartfelt gesture of community support and patriotism, Armstrong has partnered with the town of Rising Sun to sponsor a unique and meaningful project: a series of banners honoring local veterans. These banners, now proudly displayed on lamp posts throughout the town, feature the photos and names of veterans who live in the community, paying tribute to their service and sacrifice.
Armstrong’s sponsorship has made it possible for the town to bring this project to life, covering the costs of producing and installing the banners. By funding this initiative, Armstrong has helped transform the town into a visual celebration of those who have served in the military, creating a powerful and moving display that honors veterans from all walks of life.
Armstrong’s involvement started after I discovered that families were responsible for paying for the banners to honor their loved ones. My grandfather, a veteran himself, has one of these banners, and knowing that this financial responsibility could be challenging for some families, I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity for Armstrong to step in. By supporting this cause, we could make sure that every veteran was recognized, regardless of their family’s financial situation, while also giving back to the community.
The banners have become a point of pride for the residents of Rising Sun in the past years, drawing attention to the town’s rich history and the individuals who have protected the freedoms cherished by the community. The display also serves as a reminder of the deep connection between local businesses and the people they serve, with Armstrong’s contribution standing as a testament to the company’s commitment to supporting veterans and the town itself.
This project has not only beautified the streets of Rising Sun but also deepened the sense of community and respect for those who have given so much. Armstrong’s sponsorship is a shining example of how businesses can give back, making a lasting impact through support and recognition of local heroes.
Armstrong took the #1 spot in Cablefax Magazine's 2024 Special Recognition Awards for Customer Satisfaction
Customer satisfaction is at the heart of everything operators do, inspiring network upgrades, launching innovative digital toolkits and more. Each provider has developed its own strategy on how best to attract and retain customers with a focus on reliability, speeds and top-notch service, but which are gaining the most traction? CTAM partnered with HarrisX to gain a comprehensive understanding of the state of customer experience and improvements in the segment across the broadband landscape. — Cablefax Magazine
Read More
Four-year-old Wexford resident Michael Mackie will see a dream come true Tuesday, September 24. The folks who work with his dad Pat have raised enough money to present Michael with a custom-built adaptive bike from Variety, the Children’s Charity, that Michael will ride for the very first time. The event takes place at Guardian Protection, 174 Thorn Hill Road in Warrendale at 2 p.m. and the entire Mackie family – mom, dad, and Michael’s three siblings will be coming to watch, along with a large group of employees from Guardian.
Pat Mackie, a 25-year employee of Guardian says that Michael, who has disabilities, loves being outdoors and being on the move. This will give him the ability to be outside with his siblings and not be confined to a chair or inside, he stated.
Guardian Protection employees raised money to cover the $1800 cost of the bike by holding raffles and other fundraisers. This is the 14th piece of Variety adaptive equipment Guardian has given to kids with disabilities, but only the second time they’ve discovered a need among one of their own team members. The first time was in 2018 and thanks to that adaptive bike, the child can ride a standard bicycle on his own today.
We have a singular vision, says Guardian Protection President Bryan Cipoletti. We keep homes and businesses safer. When our employees come together and do something equally transformational for the safety and well-being of a fellow employee and his family, it is an extension of our vision. Knowing that Michael will enjoy the basic joy and freedom of riding a bike with his brothers is rewarding.
Tom Baker, Chief Executive Officer of Variety the Children’s Charity, will speak at the event and then invite the children and their families to "go for a ride" within the halls of Guardian. Employees will line the track and cheer on the children as they make their way to a spectacular balloon arch finish line.
Armstrong is sad to announce the passing of Jay Sedwick, its Chairman and a true Cable TV Pioneer. He died peacefully on Monday evening, January 1st, surrounded by his family.
Jay began his professional career as an Electrical Engineer at Pratt & Whitney after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University in 1957. At Pratt & Whitney, he worked at their Research and Development Center in Florida and was involved with developing technology used in the early days of the space program. In 1960, he returned to Western PA to work as an engineer at Magnetics in Butler, PA.
Shortly thereafter, he answered the call from his father, Jud Sedwick, to join the family business to investigate an opportunity to enter the nascent Cable TV industry. Examples abound on how Jay used his electrical engineering background and innate passion for new technology to lead the charge as a pioneer in the cable industry, including:
- Under his direction, and largely with his own hands, Armstrong’s first Cable TV system in Butler, PA was built with vacuum tube amplifiers and first-generation coaxial cable long before there was a blueprint for cable network architecture. This cable system became the first Aluminum Sheath Multitap Cable System in the United States, using cable that at the time could only be purchased in Canada.
- Known for his obsession with picture quality, testing amplifiers, and cable, Jay created a lab in the basement of Armstrong’s first office building that included test equipment and a large freezer that was used to simulate harsh winter and summer conditions. He shared his research with early suppliers and worked with them to improve equipment as it evolved to solid state transistor technology.
- Jay led Armstrong through multiple network rebuilds, including the introduction of fiber optics in the 1990s, which enabled two-way digital cable and a massive expansion of channel capacity.
- He was highly active in the creation of what became the Pennsylvania Cable Association and is now called the Broadband Communications Association of Pennsylvania (BCAP).
- In the twilight of his active involvement at Armstrong, he oversaw Armstrong’s entry into the broadband internet business.
Jay Sedwick
While leading a rapidly growing company and continually influencing cable technology, Jay led the expansion of Armstrong into Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Maryland. His leadership and technological prowess enabled Armstrong to become the 11th largest Cable TV Multiple System (MSO) in the United States that now serves more than 350,000 customers in six states.
Today, the Armstrong Group is diversified beyond Cable TV and is led by Jay’s son and CEO, Dru Sedwick. Armstrong is still recognized for its engineering excellence, which is directly attributable to Jay’s early engineering prowess, technological curiosity, and passion for doing new things the right way.
Diane joins the Armstrong Group executive team in managing and monitoring the performance of the Operating Business Units.
Diane joined the Armstrong Group in 2004 as an Accountant. Over the years, she progressed through roles in the Armstrong Group’s Finance department as Financial Systems Analyst, Manager of Accounting Operations, Corporate Controller, Director of Compensation & Benefits, Cable Controller, and most recently, CFO for the Armstrong business unit. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Economics from the University of Pittsburgh with additional Accounting certification from Slippery Rock University.