WTA Elects New Officers and Board of Directors

HELENA, MONTANA – OCTOBER 7, 2009 – Western Telecommunications Alliance (WTA) is pleased to announce the election of its new officers for the coming two years: Bruce Todd, CEO Strata Networks in Roosevelt, UT as President; Jim Woody, CEO of Union Telephone, Mountain View, WY as Vice President; Mike Dolezal, General Manager of ATC Communications, Albion, ID as Secretary-Treasurer; and David Arvig, COO and Vice President of Arvig Communications Systems in Perham, MN as Past President. Additionally, David Baker, Sierra Telephone Company, Oakhurst, CA; Al Pedersen, Sandwich Isles Communications, Honolulu, HI; Denise Russell, Northern Arkansas Telephone Co.; Mark Gailey, Totah Communications, Ochelata, OK; Paul Kelly, Cordova Telephone Coop., Cordova, AK; and Jack Keen, Western New Mexico Telephone Co., Silver City, NM; were elected to serve on the Executive Committee.

“I am humbled by the fact that the WTA Board of Directors is entrusting me to lead the association over the next couple of years,” said Bruce Todd. This is a crucial time for rural telcos and their customers. A lot is at stake and we need to work together to ensure that all our customers have fair access to advanced telecommunications services at affordable rates. I look forward to working as hard as possible to represent the interests of the WTA members,” said Todd.

The WTA membership elected the following members who will serve three year terms on the Board of Directors: David Baker, Sierra Telephone Co. (CA); Mike Dolezal, ATC Communications (ID); Steve Davis, SC Telcom (KS); Brad Veis, 3 Rivers Communications (MT); Mark Feest, CC Communications (NV); Jack Keen, Western New Mexico Telephone Company (NM); Mark Benton, Midstate Communications (SD); and Bruce Todd, Strata Networks (UT). Curtis Hunt, Border to Border (TX) was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Board for Texas.