For Immediate Release
Contact: Hillary Crowder Smith, 703-351-2086, [email protected]
Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (February 24, 2016)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association recognized rural telecommunications providers during the Rural Telecom Industry Meeting & EXPO in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., for their achievements and service to the telecommunications industry.
Lynn Merrill, president of Monte R. Lee and Co. in Oklahoma City, Okla., received the Associate Member Outstanding Achievement Award, which honors associate members who have performed extraordinary service for the benefit of the telecommunications industry. Merrill is a member of the NTCA Technical Committee and the NTCA Membership Committee. He also represents NTCA on the FCC’s Technological Advisory Council, where he is active on two working groups.
The Heroism Award recognizes telco employees who demonstrate courage in the face of an emergency. Jon Gravdahl, who is a master electrician at the West Central Telephone Association in Sebeka, Minn., received the award this year. Gravdahl received the award for his assistance in the rescue of a man who was involved in a boating accident.
Jimmy Blevins, chief executive officer (CEO) of Skyline Membership Corp. in West Jefferson, N.C., received the Management Innovation Award. Blevins received the award for his ongoing efforts to make innovative changes to diversify the company’s revenue opportunities and place the focus on the needs of the customer.
The Outstanding Marketing Achievement Award was given to Merry Shepard, the manager of product and marketing for Canby Telephone Association and Mount Angel Telephone Co. in Canby, Ore. Under Shepard’s leadership, both companies have won numerous industry marketing recognition awards, including at least one NTCA Telechoice Award, every year since 2011.
Robert Kainz, who recently retired from the board of directors of Lakeland Communications Group, LLC in Milltown, Wis.; and Bill Hegmann, general manager of Southwest Arkansas Telephone Cooperative in Texarkana, Ark., both received the Life Achievement–Director Award. An integral part of Lakeland Communications since 1968, Kainz has shown deep pride in the industry as a whole and has pioneered true pathways for his company. Hegmann’s service began in 1978, and since then he has led and directed the company through numerous challenges and phases, including implementing a network with 100% fiber to the customer.
The Life Achievement–Manager Award recipient was Allen Russ, CEO of ATMC in Shallotte, N.C. Russ worked for Southern Bell for 33 years before moving to ATMC in 1999 and eventually becoming their CEO in 2006. Russ has been dedicated to serving the industry as a whole, serving on numerous industry boards over his career, including NTCA’s.
NTCA’s national awards are voted on by the association’s Awards Committee, comprised of NTCA members. NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield presented the awards during the Rural Telecom Industry Meeting & EXPO Awards Banquet on February 24.
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NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing nearly 900 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovation in rural and small-town America. NTCA advocates on behalf of its members in the legislative and regulatory arenas, and it provides training and development; publications and industry events; and an array of employee benefit programs. In an era of exploding technology, deregulation and marketplace competition, NTCA’s members are leading the IP evolution for rural consumers, delivering technologies that make rural communities vibrant places in which to live and do business. Because of their efforts, rural America is fertile ground for innovation in economic development and commerce, education, health care, government services, security and smart energy use. Visit us at www.ntca.org.