WTA Honors Derrick Owens, Volodymyr “V” Chornodolsky, and Kristi Lee at its 2025 Fall Educational Forum

HELENA, MT – (October 14, 2025) – In his last act as President of WTA – Advocates for Rural Broadband, Pat McElroy, General Manager of Northeast Nebraska Telephone Cooperative, recognized three outstanding individuals during WTA’s 2025 Fall Educational Forum for their exceptional contributions to the organization and the rural broadband industry.

Derrick Owens, Senior Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs for WTA, was presented with the Jack H Rhyner Award (formerly known as the President’s Award). Owens has served WTA for more than 20 years, leading its Washington, D.C. office and serving as a tireless advocate for WTA members, its mission, and the rural communities they serve. His voice in Washington has elevated the concerns of rural broadband providers to policymakers at the highest levels. Through his leadership, Owens has helped shape national policy, protect the industry, and strengthen WTA’s reputation as a trusted and respected advocate.

The Jack H Rhyner Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated great leadership and extraordinary commitment and dedication to WTA, its membership, and the telecommunications industry.

V Chornodolsky, Business Development Partner at Nokia, received WTA’s Associate Member Award, which honors a representative from WTA’s Associate Member community who has gone above and beyond in supporting WTA and its member companies.

Kristi Lee, Chief Strategy Officer of Valley Telecom Group (Willcox, AZ), was presented with WTA’s newly established Foundation Award, recognizing an individual who has provided significant support to the WTA Foundation and its mission. The Foundation’s mission is to support scholarships and foster opportunities for the next generation of leaders in the telecommunications industry.

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