Keith Gabbard is the CEO of Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative in McKee, Ky. Gabbard has nearly 40 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, having served in numerous positions within PRTC. In 1996 he became CEO, and under his direction, PRTC has grown from being a POTS only provider to becoming a broadband and HDTV cable provider, utilizing a recently constructed state-of-the-art FTTH network. PRTC was recently selected as a recipient of one of NTCA Smart Rural Community awards. Gabbard holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration/management from Eastern Kentucky University. He is a lifelong resident of McKee and serves on many local and national boards and is involved in many civic organizations. As McKee has a high poverty and a high unemployment rate, Keith works diligently to improve economic development in his community.