2011 Award recipients.(NTCA 2011 Annual Meeting & EXPO)

Marketing Award

Jody Heustess from Atlantic Telephone Membership Corp. (Shallotte, N.C.) received the Marketing Achievement Award in recognition of his accomplishments in exceptional marketing for a rural telco. Jody oversees not only the marketing of ATMC's traditional telephone business but also marketing for cable TV, wireless and security services. He developed a four-month campaign to relaunch ATMC's residential bundles by introducing new long-distance calling plan options for bundle customers. In an area vulnerable to competition, these new long-distance calling plan options helped protect access lines and associated revenue for ATMC. Jody's campaign resulted in the sale of 1,266 new bundles to residential customers, a 17% increase in sales.

Public Relations Achievement Award

Karen Powell from SkyLine Membership Corp. (West Jefferson, N.C.) received the Public Relations Achievement Award for her approach to the public relations of SkyLine's grant program, a true example of public relations for rural telcos at its best.

The program distributes grants to enhance education through technology and shows SkyLine's commitment to its member communities and to strengthening the cooperative's relationship with local education officials as a telco provider and partner. SkyLine engaged technology directors from the five county school systems in its service area to learn about each school's specific technology needs and discovered a collective need for smart boards in the classrooms. SkyLine collaborated with the smart board equipment distributor to provide support for the grantees through every step of the application process. SkyLine even provided training sessions for educators at its office with certified trainers, and continues to communicate regularly with area technology directors to anticipate future needs and plans for funding.

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This grant program truly is an example of a telco collaborating with its local schools to make a positive impact that enhances the overall quality of life in their service area.

* Heroism Award

Ralph Neu, a director for Dickey Rural Networks (Ellendale, N.D.), received the Heroism Award for his courage in the face of an emergency. On a cold evening last March, when one of Ralph's neighbors, Tracy Heil, could not be reached at his farm, Ralph did not think twice about heading out in the freezing rain and braving the icy roads to check on him. When he arrived he discovered Tracy had succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning in the farm's shop.

Ralph was unable to find a pulse, and quickly grabbed Tracy's coveralls to pull him out of the shop, even as Tracy's protective dog bit Ralph's leg. Once outside, Ralph found a pulse and called 911, following the instructions from the operator for 45 minutes until an ambulance arrived. Because of Ralph's quick and selfless actions that evening, Tracy recovered and was released from the hospital within 24 hours.

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* Director Life Achievement

Jim Elliot, chairman of Clear Creek Mutual Telephone (Oregon City, Ore.), received the Director Life Achievement Award. Jim's leadership contributions are many at both his telco and in his community.

Clear Creek has benefited greatly from Jim's dedication and commitment. He has served as an officer for 24 years of his 34-year tenure and has attended nearly 350 board meetings involving more than 1,000 hours of his time. Jim is always mindful of members' needs. His background as an electrical engineer provides a basis to manage rapid changes in technology, and he has encouraged diversification in the services Clear Creek provides. Jim also recognizes the value of building strong relationships with other cooperatives and has encouraged partnerships to reduce costs and better service members.

Jim is still dedicated to quality of service, responsible management and reasonable rates for members, and his commitment to and enthusiasm for Clear Creek are exemplary.

* Manager Life Achievement

Sid Shank, retired general manager of Bloomingdale Communications (Bloomingdale, Mich.), received the Manager Life Achievement Award. Sid has demonstrated incredible commitment to rural telcos. Sid began with Bloomingdale as the community relations representative and was asked to step into the role of general manager nine years later.

Between 2002 and 2005, Sid implemented many positive changes within Bloomingdale, including building the company's relationship with the community continuing to diversify Bloomingdale's services and fostering a team environment for the company.

Sid has testified on behalf of NTCA before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee's Telecom and Internet Subcommittee on the importance of the Universal Service Fund. She also worked to build strong relationships with national and local legislators, and took a leadership role in grassroots advocacy on behalf of the industry. In the final two years of Sid's role as general manager, she increased subscribers of the new CLEC fiber to the home construction by 900%.

Since Sid's official retirement in 2009, it is clear that her greatest legacy is the solidarity between employees, management and the board. Sid has demonstrated her incredible commitment to rural telecom through these many efforts, and we are grateful to count her among our industry.