The 2015 Rural Telecom Industry Meeting & EXPO’s final full day of events featured a business session, juggling, and a country music concert and banquet.
The Closing General Session got underway with an announcement from the newly elected Vice President of the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) Steve Meltzer regarding the dissolution of the Foundation for Rural Education and Development and a $2 million donation to FRS. FRS also announced that its 2015 Congressional Tour will be to Tennessee and Kentucky. 
Attendees also received an update from leaders on the association’s financial status and growing educational opportunities during the business session.
Next, Dan Thurmon, author and president of Motivation Works, discussed the importance of always being at your best because every moment counts. He demonstrated this point by juggling everything from bowling balls to axes, sometimes even atop a unicycle.
The meeting wrapped up with a banquet dinner during which several NTCA members received awards. Larry Thompson, chief executive officer (CEO) of Vantage Point in Mitchell, S.D., received the Associate Member Outstanding Achievement Award. Jordan (Jody) Rutherford, eastern division supervisor for Southwest Texas Telephone Co. in Rocksprings, Texas, was awarded the Key Employee Award. Brian Thomason, CEO and general manager of Blue Valley Tele-Communications (BVTC) in Home, Kan., was awarded the Management Achievement Award. Additionally, James Walker, who is retiring this year from his post as director of corporate relations for Chariton Valley Telephone Corp. in Macon, Mo., was awarded the Special Achievement Award. Larry Sevier, now-retired chief executive officer and general manager for 28 years of Nex-Tech in Lenora, Kan., was awarded with the Manager Life Achievement Award, and Mike Foster, former president and CEO of Twin Valley Telephone in Miltonvale, Kan., was honored with the Director Life Achievement Award.
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Broadway star and country singer Laura Bell Bundy brought the house down with hits like her top song, "Giddy on Up." 
Planning for the 2016 RTIME in Orlando is already underway.
We’ll see you there!