WTA Elects New President, Officers, and Directors
HELENA, MT – (September 12, 2023) – WTA – Advocates for Rural Broadband is pleased to announce the election of its new officers for the coming two years: Pat McElroy, CEO/GM, Northeast Nebraska Telephone Co. (NE) as President; Matt Johnson, VP, Government Policy, Shawnee Communications (IL) as Vice-President; Jason Williams, CEO, Blackfoot Communications (MT), as Secretary-Treasurer; and Jimmy Todd, CEO/GM of Nex-Tech (KS) as Past President.
Additionally, Michael Burke, MTA (AK); Kristi Lee, Valley TeleCom Group (AZ); Kent Schimke, DRN (ND); David Shipley, Highline (CO); Rick Vitzthum, Tenino Telephone Co. (WA); and Eric Votaw, Varcomm (CA) were elected to serve on the Executive Committee.
“I look forward to leading this fantastic organization for the next two years. I’m thankful the WTA Board of Directors has put their trust in me and for the board at Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company supporting me and WTA” said Pat McElory. “WTA has achieved great things for the industry in recent years, and I will work to continue that tradition so that the small broadband providers we represent can continue to do the work they need to do to bring high speed broadband and other communications services to Americans living in rural communities.”
The WTA membership also elected the following members who will serve three-year terms on the Board of Directors: Michael Burke, MTA (AK); Larry Frazier, Central Arkansas Telephone Co-op (AR); David Shipley, Highline (CO); Dustin Durden, Pineland Telephone Co. (GA); John Greene, New Lisbon Telephone Co. (IN); Matt Johnson, Shawnee Communications (IL); Chris Hopp, Alpine Communications (IA); David Shornack, Arvig (MN); Larry Jones, Chickasaw Telephone Co. (OK); Jamey Wigley, Central Texas Telephone Co-op (TX); and Barbara Sessions, Silver Star Communications (WY).
