Congratulations to the 2017 Award Winners
Associate Member Outstanding Achievement Award
Steve Meltzer
Senior Vice President, JSI
Meltzer's work on issues ranging from regulator advocacy to toll cost studies over the last 40 years has greatly benefited rural telecommunications.
Key Employee Award
Chris McNamara
IT Network Manager, Nortex Communications
Within Nortex McNamara is officially responsible for maintaining the company's network infrastructure that supports and sustains hundreds of homes, local businesses and government services. His nomination letter described McNamara as the "cornerstone" of Nortex's business expansion initiative, where he has taken the lead in building relationship with new customers, expanding fiber-based broadband access for 14 local schools and being a true team player with everyone else on the Nortex team.
Management Innovation Award
Michael East
President and CEO, South Central Communications
East arrived at South Central Communications just over six years ago and quickly realized the company's potential to be a r eal industry leader by undertaking ambitious plans to expand services throughout his company's more than 10,000 miles of service territory within 23 different exchanges.
Heroism Award
Tyler Graham
Combination Technician, GRM Networks
On November 27, 2016, Graham was taking a step out of his RV parked in his father and mother-in-law's driveway. The distinct smell of smoke filled the air as he stepped out of his vehicle and went into the house to investigate. While he noticed that the lighters wouldn't work, the smoke grew more intense. He woke his father-in-law, and together they went outside and found heavy smoke rolling from the upstairs window. Graham sprang into action, and carried the three elderly women sleeping upstairs down to safety by wrapping them in blankets. While there was substantial damage to the house due to an attic electrical fire, Graham's actions saved the lives of five people that day.
Director Lifetime Achievement Award
Doug Ziegler
Board Member, Nex-Tech
An integral part of the Nex-Tech since 1978, Ziegler has seen a company transformed from a hometown telephone service provider to an industry and technology leader. During his 40 years on the board, he has consistently supportive of company initiatives, weeing the company grow from 26 LEC exchanges providing simple phone service to 39 exchanges plus CLEC areas across the state providing a wide array of services to its customers. Ziegler has logged over 60,000 miles getting to and from more than 500 board and membership meetings over the course of those years.
Manager Lifetime Achievement Award
Jimmy Blevins
CEO, Skyline Membership Corp.
Beginning his career as a licensed professional engineer at Skyline in 1985, Blevins rose through the ranks of the company until he was promoted to CEO in 2008. Since then, he has led a "culture of change" at Skyline, always on the lookout for the next big thing and constantly seeking ways to transform his company and better serve his customers.