Solution Provider's Outstanding Support of Rural Communities

By Yolanda Akinrimisi, Senior Marketing Specialist

Vern Dosch has successfully led the National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC) for the past 25 years, and during his entire tenure, he found many ways to support NTCA, its advocacy efforts, and the broader rural telecommunications industry. Dosch is a regular presence on Capitol Hill and has been a reliable supporter of NTCA conferences and programs as a tireless advocate and a humble, curious and passionate leader.

Dosch started his career path working in finance and accounting jobs in the North Dakota area after graduating from the University of Mary, Bismarck, N.D., earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration and management. He worked his way up to executive positions fulfilling roles, such as business manager, general manager and chief operating officer.

Growing up in Bismarck-Mandan, N.D., Dosch learned at an early age the value of commitment, dedication, education and believing in your community. These values are what drives his motivation and led to his position as chief executive officer of the NISC.

Always on the go and juggling projects, the busy CEO says that he is “passionate about my family, work and life.” He knows that the real backbone and strength of his life are his wife, Lynne, and three children, Zack, Brittany and Jordan. 

“Vern has been a mentor to me for close to three decades,” said Tracy Porter, NISC chief financial officer and vice president of Corporate Services. “I have always appreciated his incredible business acumen and vision for the future, but through it all, he has led with his heart. It is phenomenal what he has accomplished, and we wanted to honor him for his servant leadership to NISC and the community as a whole.” (Source: NISC, October 18, 2019)

The nomination and win for the Associate Member Outstanding Achievement Award was a humbling act for Dosch, but not a surprise for NISC employees. “It’s humbling for me because I feel like I’m standing on the shoulders of giants in terms of board members who have served our organization for the last 50 years, and members around the country, some of whom have been members of ours for 50 years and probably, and most importantly, the employees of NISC—the 1300 employees I have the privilege of working with every day. So, this award for me is being accepted on behalf of all of them. Excellence is a goal. It’s a responsibility that we have as a coop to the member owners to always strive for excellence.”