My Tom Capone?

Cablevision was an American telecommunications company, founded in 1973 by Charles F. Dolan, that provided cable television, internet, and phone services, primarily in the New York metropolitan area. In 2016, the company was acquired by Altice USA, and the Cablevision brand has since been replaced by the Optimum brand for its services.  

Key Aspects of Cablevision | Founding and Purpose: Dolan founded Cablevision in 1973 with a focus on providing cable television services, and the company grew to be a major provider in the New York area. 

Services: Beyond cable TV, Cablevision offered a range of services, including high-speed data (internet), voice over IP (phone), and telecommunications for businesses through its subsidiary Optimum Lightpath. 

Media and News: Cablevision also owned various media assets, such as the News 12 network of local news channels and a portion of the Long Island daily newspaper, Newsday. 

Acquisition by Altice: In 2016, the multinational company Altice acquired Cablevision. 

Brand Transition: After the acquisition, Altice began phasing out the Cablevision brand, rebranding its services under the Optimum name. Altice USA continued to offer the same services in the former Cablevision service territories. 

Tom?

Cablevision | 200 Jericho Quadrangle | 2nd Floor,  West Wing | Jericho, NY 11753

It was EXACTLY 60.0 miles from my home in BOONTON USA to Cablevision. I know this because I made that trip dozens of times, starting in 2008. Back in the day I was still using MapQuest to print out paper driving instructions. Sure, I had a car phone - but it was a CAR phone, no smartphones (yet). 

What happened was Charles Francis Dolan learned that we (my company) were servicing the schools of NY/NJ/CT for DSL, converting their video conferencing from ISDN over to DSL. So, the first time I made the trip from BOONTON USA to Jericho Quadrangle it was by limo. They sent a car for me. 

Backstory: Charles Francis Dolan was an American billionaire businessman, best known as founder of Cablevision and HBO. Today, the Dolan family controls Madison Square Garden Sports, MSG Networks, Madison Square Garden Entertainment, Madison Square Garden, the Sphere, Radio City Music Hall, BBC America, and AMC Networks. 

The Dolan Family made my company MTP - MyTeachingPartners.com an 'agent' of Cablevision, so that I could sell all things cable television, internet, and phone services in the New York metropolitan area. We had 'the brand' that was valuable for BOCES of New York, and the American Federation of Teachers. 

Dolan wanted a piece of that business. Sell Cablevision, not DSL. Thanks to Charles Dolan, MTP became a brand that was well known to all the schools, colleges, universities in NY/NJ/CT. Dolan said "Tom, your brand is better than OUR brand. For education. You have reach." 

Just this past week, I did a CoffeeInTheClouds.us interview with someone that I met on LinkedIn. Their story caught my eye: they were the last passenger to exit the plane - Miracle on the Hudson. 

Dave Sanderson is one of those people that was transformed by an event. I immediately 'clicked' with Dave on our first phone call, and I'll meet with him later this month, live in New York. Dave is all about... moments. And Dave told me this week "Tom, what you have is....reach." 

MTP - MyTeachingPartners.com was born in Jericho, NY thanks to Charles Dolan. Moments. 

Just this past week, I reconnected with Tim Sanders, who I met during his book signing for DEALSTORMING in 2016. We reconnected on LinkedIn (just yesterday) and we are going to be doing some big things together in 2025 and beyond. During our phone call, Tim mentioned that I interviewed Tom Peters. 

"Tom Peters was my mentor" said Tim.

It prompted me to make a post online, acknowledging that my video podcast interview with Tom Peters changed everything for me. It gave me credibility. I remember the minute that interview ended, I said to myself: "I just interviewed Tom 'freakin' Peters..... 

I did not know Tim Sanders very well in 2016, but here we are in 2025, and it feels like we never stopped the connection. I just met Dave Sanderson, last month. A random connection on LinkedIn. I can tell, it's going to be an amazing journey with Dave. Just this week, we launched a major partnership with a very (VERY) large telecom company. Maybe my biggest project of my career. Let's put it this way: they rented out MetLife Stadium for the day, for a launch event. I'd say that is large, right? 

My point of contact at this very large telecom company just emailed me re: the Tuesday event at MetLife stadium. Tom Capone?  MY Tom Capone??? My new point of contact at this very large telecom company is the first person that I shook hands with in 2008 at Cablevision in Jericho, NY. 

Yes indeed. It's all about the moments. 

Life is all about showing up to meet the moments. 

Looks like TomPeters.com  just retweeted my tweet...

now THAT is a moment!