Rapid Communications, LLC is a broadband telecommunications provider founded in 2002 with the purpose of providing cable TV, high-speed internet and digital phone to rural communities. Rapid currently operates in the States of Alabama, Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Washington, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Texas, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Louisiana and Oregon.
Rapid's mission is to continue to grow our customer base in rural markets through strategic acquisition and the launching of advance services such as wireless high-speed internet and VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) phone service to underserved markets.
Rapid was formed in 2002 by Rapid Communications Management, LLC and Housatonic, along with Alta Communications and Columbia Capital. Rapid is managed by Rapid Communications Management, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company ("Rapid Management"). The sole manager of Rapid Management is TS Communications, Inc., a Colorado corporation ("TS Communications"). The sole shareholder and President of TS Communications is Thomas G. Semptimphelter.
Rapid Communications Management, LLC Team
Thomas G. Semptimphelter
Mr. Semptimphelter founded both Rapid Communications Partners, L.P. ("RCP") and its general partner, TS Communications, in May of 1995. RCP grew to be one of the 100 largest cable television multiple system operators serving over 36,000 subscribers from 50 systems in eight states.
Prior to forming RCP, Mr. Semptimphelter was Director of Mergers and Acquisitions for Tele-Communications, Inc., the world's largest provider of cable televisions services at the time. He was principally responsible for negotiating over seventy transactions involving over 800,000 subscribers. Mr. Semptimphelter is a graduate of the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio.
Thomas Gelardi
Mr. Gelardi recently joined Rapid Management as Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Gelardi is the owner of cable television systems serving 7,500 customers in the State of California. In addition, Mr. Gelardi is the Chief Executive Officer of 10,200 customers in the States of Utah, Nevada, and Arizona. Mr. Gelardi has been in the cable television industry since 1983 holding positions as Partner, Managing Agent, Regional Manager and Controller. Mr. Gelardi obtained his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Wayne State University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Steven G. Rice
Mr. Rice joined RCP in March 1996, was appointed Director of Operations shortly thereafter and was appointed Vice President of Engineering in 1998, continuing through the sale of the RCP systems in 2000. In 1999, Mr. Rice also founded Current Telecommunications Engineering, LLC, a cable television turnkey engineering company, which was sold in August, 2000.
Mr. Rice has been working in the cable television industry for 21 years, beginning in 1980 as a Field Engineer for C.J. Fuller Engineering in Lexington, Kentucky. Prior to joining RCP, Mr. Rice was employed for twelve years by Telecable of Plano/Richardson, Texas as Service Manager, Project Coordinator and System Engineer. He provides both technical and operational expertise for Rapid.
Belinda Murphy
Ms. Murphy serviced as RCP's Controller from 1998 through 2002, as well as the General Manager of its non-Tennessee systems beginning in November 1998. Prior to joining RCP in January, 1998, Ms. Murphy was employed for seven years with Rural Missouri Cable TV as Accounting Supervisor and Assistant to the General Manager. Ms. Murphy earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the College of the Ozarks and received her Certified Public Accountant degree (no live permit) in November, 1997.
Professional Advisors
Rapid is advised by the following professional consultants:
FINANCIAL: The firm of Burdick, Merritt & Associates, P.C. provides accounting services to Rapid.
LEGAL: The firm of Perkins Coie LLP is the principal legal advisor to Rapid. The primary contact at that firm is Bruce D. Stocks, who provides corporate and business law advice for Rapid. Mr. Stocks represented RCP in the negotiations of many of its system acquisitions and in the sale of those systems by RCP, as well as representing Rapid in this transaction, and will continue to handle all contract negotiations on behalf of Rapid.
FCC Filings:
EEO Public File Report '06-'07 Alleghany
EEO Public File Report '06-'07 Bailey
EEO Public File Report '06-'07 Clinton
EEO Public File Report '06-'07 Grant
EEO Public File Report '06-'07 Lassen
EEO Public File Report '06-'07 Lewis
EEO Public File Report '06-'07 Smith
EEO Public File Report '06-'07 Swain