Early Life
Rocco Benito Commisso was born in Marina di Gioiosa Ionica, Calabria, Italy, on November 25, 1949. At the age of 12, he immigrated to the United States with his family, settling in the Bronx, New York. Commisso attended Mount Saint Michael Academy in the Bronx and later earned a full scholarship to Columbia University, where he received a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering in 1971 and an MBA in 1975. He was also the co-captain of the Columbia's varsity soccer team.
Rise to Success
Commisso began his career at Pfizer Inc. before moving into the financial sector. He worked at Chase Manhattan Bank and the Royal Bank of Canada. From 1986 to 1995, he served as executive vice president, chief financial officer, and director of Cablevision Industries Corporation. In 1995, he founded Mediacom Communications Corporation, with the goal of acquiring and improving cable systems in smaller, underserved communities. He took Mediacom public in 2000 and then private again in 2011, solidifying his sole ownership.
Key Business Strategies
Commisso's strategy focused on acquiring cable assets in rural areas where competition was low. He has invested significantly in upgrading and expanding Mediacom's network, with nearly $13 billion invested in acquisitions and capital expenditures. His leadership has led to Mediacom being the fifth-largest cable operator in the U.S..
Philanthropy
Commisso supports education through Mediacom's World Class Scholars Program, the September 11th Memorial Scholarship Fund, and the Entrepreneur of Tomorrow Award, providing scholarships to over 1,200 students. He established the Rocco B. Commisso American Dream Fund at Mount Saint Michael Academy.
