The Harron family traces its history in the telecommunications industry to the 1930’s when Paul F. Harron began purchasing and developing radio stations, primarily in the New York and Philadelphia markets. When Mr. Harron recognized the potential of television during the 1950’s, he turned his attention to acquiring and operating broadcast television stations. Then, in the 1960’s, in an attempt to protect his broadcast television stations in Utica, New York, Mr. Harron built his first cable television system.
In 1976, under the leadership of Mr. Harron’s son, Paul F. Harron, Jr., Harron Communications Corp. was formed. Harron Communications Corp. focused primarily on growing the family’s cable television system holdings. The company grew to serve over 300,000 customers in seven states, and was ultimately sold in 1999 to Adelphia Communications.
Following the sale of Harron Communications Corp., the Harron family continued investing in cable television systems, operating under the name MetroCast Communications. From 2005 until 2012, the Harron family partnered with BV Investment Partners to further grow the family’s MetroCast Communications platform, which had grown organically and through acquisitions to provide video, voice and internet services to over 200,000 residential and business customers across nine states. In 2014, the family made the strategic decision to sell its cable systems in a series of transactions, culminating with a final sale in 2018 to Cogeco Communications.
Following the sale to Cogeco Communications, Harron Ventures, LLC was formed to serve as a private family office. Harron Ventures, LLC makes investments in marketable and fixed income securities, private equity opportunities and real estate projects, in addition to providing businesses debt financing and management services.