WTA Elects New Officers and Directors

HELENA, MT – (SEPTEMBER 27, 2017) – WTA – Advocates for Rural Broadband is pleased to announce the election of its new officers for the coming two years: Jerry Piper, COO of Cambridge Telephone Company in Cambridge, ID as President; David Shipley, COO of USConnect, in Colorado City, CO as Vice President; Brad Veis, Director of Finance of 3 Rivers Communications in Fairfield, MT as Secretary-Treasurer; and Mark M. Gailey, President/GM of Totah Communications in Ochelata, OK as Past President.

Additionally, Jack Keen, CEO of WNM Communications in Silver City, NM; Mark Feest, CEO of CC Communications in Fallon, NV; Robert DeBroux, Director of Regulatory Affairs at TDS Telecom in Madison, WI; Steve Hanson, CEO of Tenino Telephone Company in Tenino, WA; John Lundgren, Vice President of Volcano Telephone Co. in Pine Grove, CA; Darby McCarty, CEO of Smithville Communications in Ellettsville, IN; and Pat McElroy, CEO & GM of Northeast Nebraska Telephone in Jackson, NE were elected to serve on the Executive Committee.

“I am appreciative of the WTA Board of Directors entrusting me with the leadership of the Association over the next two years, “said Jerry Piper. “I look forward to working with the Executive Committee to chart a course that will enable the small, rural broadband providers we represent to remain as a strong link to the world for our rural communities.”

The WTA membership elected the following members who will serve three year terms on the Board of Directors: Ed Cushing, Division Manager of KPU Telecommunications in Ketchikan, AK; Steven Sanders, Jr., President/GM of NATCO Communications in Flippin, AR; David Shipley, COO, USConnect in Colorado City, CO; Dave Schornack, Director, Arvig in Perham, MN; Mark M. Gailey, President/GM Totah Communications in Ochelata, OK; Jason Hendricks, Chief Regulatory Officer, RT Communications in Worland, WY; and Darby McCarty, CEO of Smithville Communications in Ellettsville, IN. Jimmy Todd, CEO/GM, Nex-Tech in Lenora, KS and Judi Ushio, Midwest Division Manager, GVNW in Colorado Springs, CO were selected to fill board vacancies.

Full Press Release can be found here.