Before joining Comcast, Mike K. worked security for a professional golfer, where he learned an important lesson: the most important shot in golf is the next one. As Senior Director of Field Operations in Comcast’s Keystone Region, Mike applies this philosophy of learning from the past and making good choices for the future to his interactions with customers and with his team of technicians focused on bringing our smart, reliable, fiber-rich network to homes and businesses throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Maryland.
When Mike started as an installation and repair technician in Lancaster, Ohio in 2008, he never could have imagined the impact the Internet has on how we work, learn, access healthcare and control and monitor our homes. Nearly a billion unique devices connected to WiFi in Xfinity households in 2021, a 12X increase from 2018. According to Comcast’s 2021 WiFi Trends Report, nearly half of Americans (45%) said that WiFi is more important to their daily lives than transportation.
This year, Mike has seen the difference improved access to affordable Internet has on families who qualify for the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Comcast recently introduced new ways for customers to connect through ACP, a program designed to help low-income households connect and stay connected to the Internet through a monthly credit of $30 per month toward Internet and mobile service for households that qualify.
“This new offer is particularly useful for our Internet Essentials customers,” said Mike. At $9.95/month, Internet Essentials customers can receive their broadband service at no cost with ACP or customers can use their ACP credit to get home Internet service and a line of unlimited 5G cellular data for as little as $24.95/month after the ACP benefit is applied.
Connecting more people to the Internet and the technology they need to participate and excel in an increasingly digital world has been a core focus for Comcast. Looking toward the next ten years, Comcast is building on that foundation and expanding its impact through Project UP, a comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities.
Mike never misses an opportunity to talk about ACP to employees, friends and family, including his retired mother, who found the application process very easy and quick. His team of technicians also regularly share success stories. “When our technicians visit customers’ homes, they love to share information about ACP and what a game-changer it is for families who qualify.”
In addition to spreading the word about ACP, Mike’s team works every day to make sure that the network supporting Xfinity customers’ WiFi is reliable and secure. After hitting historic peaks in 2020, traffic on the Comcast network grew again in 2021, according to the Comcast 2021 Network Report. A fan of streaming Peacock with his family (in addition to barbequing, volunteering in his community and camping in Ohio), Mike knows the importance of a strong connection, both online and in person.
“I love my role as a leader at Comcast because I see people develop and build confidence in their skills and become Xfinity and Comcast Business brand ambassadors,” said Mike. “I enjoy making a difference in our employees’ and customers’ lives.”
Over the course of his career at Comcast, Mike has developed several Technical Operations programs designed to enhance the customer experience through training, development and recognition of frontline employees. He has been recognized with many accolades for his contributions to the business and his work as a leader. “I love working in Comcast’s Keystone Region and appreciate the people here who make it such a special place,” said Mike. “Our culture drives me to want to be the best I can be and to make a difference every day.”