2019 Excellence Award Winners Named at NTCA Rural Telecom Industry Meeting & EXPO in Phoenix

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carolyn Just, 703-351-2015, [email protected] 

Phoenix, Ariz. (February 19, 2020)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association today recognized nine rural telecommunications industry leaders for their achievements and service to the industry, their companies and their communities during the 2020 Rural Telecom Industry Meeting & EXPO (RTIME). 

The NTCA Excellence Awards recognize those NTCA members who have shown exceptional commitment to their communities and the rural broadband industry. Recipients are recognized annually during the Excellence Awards Ceremony at RTIME.

Jim Dauby, president and CEO of Perry-Spencer Rural Telephone Cooperative (St. Meinrad, Ind.) was awarded the Manager Life Achievement Award for his unwavering commitment to promoting the deployment of broadband in rural America, including his leadership on a successful fiber-to-the-home buildout and his involvement in the creation of the Indiana Fiber Network. 

Rodney Renner, board director at Golden West Telecommunications Cooperative (Wall, S.D.) received the Director Life Achievement Award for his deep commitment to growing an advanced telecommunications cooperative for rural South Dakotans during his 47-year tenure on the Golden West board.

Chad Larson, sales engineer at Consolidated Telephone Company (Brainerd, Minn.), was awarded the Special Achievement Award for his inspiring commitment to and support of the Ronald McDonald House Motorcycle Rally in his community for over 11 years.  

Kirk Lehman, chief executive officer of RTC Communications (Montgomery, Ind.), received the Management Innovation Award for his vision and leadership in creating multiple new business offerings and developing product initiatives that will lead his company into the future.

Jim Eaton, vice president of finance and administration at Pioneer Telephone Cooperative (Kingfisher, Okla.), was awarded the Key Employee Excellence Award for his instrumental role in transforming Pioneer into an industry leader during his 46 years of service. 

Jill Kohlhaas, senior dispatcher and plant record clerk at Madison Telephone Company (Staunton, Ill.), received a Heroism Award for her quick thinking and compassion to save an elderly woman from distress.

Jeff Powell, central office technician at North Central Telephone Cooperative (Lafayette, Tenn.), also received a Heroism Award for his bravery in the face of an armed gunman while out on a home equipment check.

Andy Smith, managing director of the communications banking division at CoBank, received the Associate Member Outstanding Achievement Award for his work as an exemplary associate member, especially his leadership on the implementation of the EXPO Plus networking event at RTIME, which helps associate members meet with telco managers to discuss industry trends and company challenges.

Kurt Gruendling, vice president of marketing and business development at Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom (Waitsfield, Vt.) received the Outstanding Marketing Achievement Award for his exceptional industry leadership and pursuit of marketing excellence as a longtime and very active member of the NTCA Marketing Committee.

NTCA’s Excellence Awards are selected by the association’s Awards Committee comprised of NTCA members. NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield presented the awards during the 2020 RTIME Excellence Awards Ceremony on February 19.

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