Getting to Know NTCA Member Relations Manager Marlene Sanders
Marlene is from Goddard, Kansas, and serves NTCA members in Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma. She joined the NTCA team in January 2015. Prior to that, she spent many years working in the telecommunications industry, serving in human resources leadership roles and handling a wide range of responsibilities.
Where'd you grow up?
I grew up in Wichita, KS, with 4 older sisters. Being the youngest meant my parents were established in their lives, so we didn’t move around – at all!
Tell us about your family.
I lived in the same home until I married my high school sweetheart. We are still married today and have 43 years of history: having fun, growing, changing and tackling challenges together. We have two beautiful and amazing daughters, each of whom brought their perfect spouse into our family. Our youngest daughter also gave us two fun-loving and energetic granddaughters. Because our girls live out of state with their families, during this season of our lives, we generally spend our vacations visiting them or enjoying every minute they come home.
How’d you get into the telco/broadband industry?
I was fortunate enough to be a stay-at-home mom for many years, and when I went back into the workforce, I started at Chance Industries, an amusement park ride manufacturer, where I got my start in the world of HR and benefits. While there, one of my friends went to work at the business systems division of a local rural telephone company. When an opening came up, she called me, and I landed my first job in the broadband industry, though it was still a telecommunications business at the time. I held a few office and support roles before returning to HR, completing my degree, and earning an HR certification. After 14 years, I moved on to work at a local insurance brokerage company before being recruited back into the industry, and finally, in 2015, landed at NTCA as an MRM.
What do you like about being a member relations manager (MRM) with NTCA?
As an MRM, I get to utilize my experience as an HR professional and account manager from the insurance brokerage firm. I love being an MRM because there is never a dull moment. I have the opportunity to have quiet days at home while completing administrative tasks, but also jump on the opportunity to help members when navigating strategies, helping them understand benefit programs, and how developing a good strategy will help them attract and retain talent. My favorite days are the ones I spend helping employees understand the value of their employers' benefit programs, and, of course, the travel. Visiting member locations, I’m often stricken by the beauty of the landscape and the peacefulness of the communities that they serve.
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
Away from work, I love to read, enjoy time with family and friends, play cards and other games, relax at the lake, and since I’m back in the phase of being healthy, I have a love/hate relationship with working out. During past health phases, I have taken classes at the gym, run (really, I jog very slowly!), and now it’s aerobics and weight-bearing exercises. We are avid CHIEFS fans – even through all the hard years – and we love a good beach vacation.
Any interesting facts about you that most people don’t already know?
Although Tom and I don’t currently have any pets, we’ve certainly had our fair share, including rabbits, birds, several dogs, cats, chickens, and yes, we even had a pink tarantula named Felicity for a bit of time – although Felicity gave me nightmares!