News release
LENORA — WTA–Advocates for Rural Broadband announce the election of its new officers for the coming two years: Jimmy Todd, CEO/GM of Nex-Tech (KS), as President; Pat McElroy, CEO/GM of Northeast Nebraska Telephone (NE), as Vice-President; Jason Williams, CEO of Blackfoot Communications (MT), as Secretary-Treasurer; and David Shipley, COO of USConnect (CO) as Past President.
Additionally, Mike George, President/CEO of Northeast Louisiana Telephone Co. (LA); Mark Gailey, President/GM of Totah Communications (OK); Jack Keen, CEO of WNM Communications (NM); Kristi Lee, COO of Valley Telecom Group (AZ); Kent Schimke, CEO/GM of DRN (ND); and Steven Sanders Jr., President/GM of NATCO (AR), were elected to serve on the Executive Committee.
“I’m excited about this opportunity and am looking forward to leading our Association for the next two years,” said Todd.
“I greatly appreciate the WTA Board of Directors putting their trust in me. WTA is a strong, national association, and I will work hard to ensure the work of my predecessors is continued and the companies we represent continue to have the tools they need to bring broadband to the most rural parts of America.”
The WTA membership also elected the following members who will serve three-year terms on the Board of Directors: Eric Votaw, President/CEO of Varcomm (CA); John Stuart, President/CEO of MTE Communications (ID); Jimmy Todd; Jason Williams; Mark Feest, GM of CC Communications (NV); Glenn Lovelace, CEO of Penasco Valley Telephone Cooperative; and Bruce Todd, CEO/GM of STRATA Networks (UT).
About WTA
WTA - Advocates for Rural Broadband represents more than 360 small, rural telecommunications carriers providing voice, broadband and video-related services in the United States. WTA’s members serve some of the most rural and hard-to-serve communities in the country and are on the forefront of bringing 21st century telecommunications services to rural America.
To learn more about WTA, visit www.w-t-a.org.
About Nex-Tech
Nex-Tech connects thousands of people and businesses through a robust broadband network with cutting-edge technology. Nex-Tech’s powerful network architectures, including fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) and fiber-to-wireless technologies, deliver leading-edge enterprise solutions to clients nationwide including a 24x7x365 Network Operations Center (NOC), CALEA compliance, enterprise cloud services, security, managed IT and advertising solutions. Headquartered in Lenora, Kansas, Nex-Tech is 70 years into providing exceptional service to business and residential customers.