J. Patrick Michaels, Jr.

Chairman and Chief Executive OfficerSend email

Rick founded CEA in 1973 to provide financial expertise for a selct group of cable industry clients.  He led the company into a full-service international brokerage and financial services firm, which has included establishing and growing numerous affiliate companies and funds to expand the group's ability to serve new market opportunities with a focused approach. 

In 2000, for example, he co-founded Atlantic American Partners (AAP) to provide investment banking services primarily to Florida's middle-market companies and to manage private investment funds in industries other than those represented by CEA.

Today, Rick interfaces with Company clients and supports colleagues on specialized transactions that require his expertise.  Having visited over 110 countries and worked in 60 countries, Rick still spends a considerable amount of time traveling to meet with clients developing and growing new business within the Group.

He also provides oversight and strategic advice to CEA portfolio companies - not only specific investment prospects, but strategic structures and vehicles for CEA's participation.  For the most part, Rick focuses on creating and growing alternative asset management opportunities.

Prior to founding CEA, Rick was one of the original employees, and later, Vice President of TM Communications, the cable subsidiary of Times Mirror CompanyHe was Vice President of the Cable Funding Corporation, a firm specializing in cable television financing and investments; Assistant Manager as well as On-Air Personlaity for Radio City, an offshore radio station featured in the 2010 movie, "Pirate Radio," also known as "The Boat That Rocked," about the Rock-n-Roll era of the 1960s.

Rick earned his BA from Tulane University graduating Magna Cum Laude.  He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, a Tulane Scholar and a Tulane Fellow.

He studied at the London School of Economics and later earned his Master's degree from the Annenberg School of Communications at the University of Pennsylvania.

Rick holds and Honorary Master's degree from St. Leo University, currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Center for Entrpreneurship at the University of South Florida and the North American Advisory Board of the London School of Economics.  He is also a member of the Florida Advisory Committee of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition.

Rick is a former Advisory Member of the Annenberg School of Communications at the University of Pennsylvania.  He is also the former Vice Chairman of the Board of Visitors of the U.S. Naval Academy as well as a Board Member and Fund Advisor for the Heernett Environmental Foundation.  Rick also founded the Republic National Committee Regents in 1999.