Technology Grants Committee

Doug Dougherty, Co-Chair, Ill. Telecom. Assoc., Springfield, IL

Dan Hatzenbuehler, Co-Chair, Ritter Communications, Inc., Marked Tree, AR

Carri Bennet, Bennet & Bennet, PLLC, Washington, DC

Diana Gradert, WTC Communications, Wilton, IA

Tommy Harman, PBT Telecom, Gilbert, SC

AJ Passarella, Loretto Telephone Company, TN

Dave Schornack, East Otter Tail Telephone Company, Perham, MN

Thomas Squires, Manawa Telephone Company, Manawa, WI

Heather Thompson, CoBank, Greenwood Village, CO

back to top

Executive
Creates yearly budget, examines income and expenses, reviews staff salaries, and meets to discuss important issues if full Board of Directors is unavailable. Reviews bylaw changes and drafts new policies and procedures as needed. Works to maintain relationship with OPASTCO and addresses issues involving the Board and staff of both associations.

Karen Kohne, Chair, Henry Country Telephone Company, Geneseo, IL

Jere Johnson, Solarus, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Steve Meltzer, John Staurulakis, Inc.

Heather Thompson, CoBank, Greenwood Village, CO

back to top

Fundraising
Researches new ways to raise funds from special events, campaigns and sponsorships.

Karen Kohne, Chair, Henry Country Telephone Company, Geneseo, IL

Carri Bennet, Bennet & Bennet, PLLC, Washington, DC

Roberta Westfall, Power & Tel, Nineveh, NY

back to top

Investment and Audit
Advises Board on financial investments, assists in the budget process, provides information to auditors, and maintains financial records.

Steve Meltzer, Chair, John Staurulakis, Inc., Greenbelt, MD

Chris Becker, Middleburgh Telephone Company, Middleburgh, NY

Paul Downs, Nexicom Telephones, Inc., Millbrook, Ontario

John Granger, Mapcom

Jere Johnson, Solarus, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Steve Moore, Comporium Business Solutions, Rock Hill, SC

Danny Riazzi, Riazzi Rhyne Investment Group, Winston-Salem, NC

Rob West, CoBank, Denver, CO

back to top

Nominating Committee
Identifies individuals to serve on the FRED Board and nominates slate of officers for FRED Board.

Karen Kohne, Henry Country Telephone Company, Geneseo, IL

back to top

Leadership Through Learning
Creates selection criteria, approves brochure copy, reviews applications, and selects winners.

Chris Becker, Middleburgh Telephone Company, Middleburgh, NY

Sandy Brinley, Sierra Telephone, Oakhurst, CA

Jere Johnson, Solarus, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Rosa Tougas, Ronan Telephone Company, Ronan, MT

Heather Thompson, CoBank, Greenwood Village, CO

back to top

Public Relations/Marketing
Handles all PR and marketing efforts, promotes publications, creates ideas to generate sponsorship and attendance at FRED events, consults on web page, and assists other committees with the promotion of their projects.

John Granger, Mapcom

Carri Bennet, Bennet & Bennet, PLLC

Steve Meltzer, John Staurulakis

Tanya Sullivan, Plus One Strategic Communications, LLC

Heather Thompson, CoBank, Denver, CO

back to top

Scholarships
Creates selection criteria, approves brochure copy, reviews applications and selects winners of FRED scholarships.

Sandy Brinley, Co-Chair, Sierra Telephone, Oakhurst, CA

Rhonda Armstrong, Kerman Telephone Company, Kerman, CA

Camber Boland, Rural Telephone Service Company, Lenora, KS

Eric Carstenson, Nebraska Independent Telephone Association, Lincoln, NE

Sherry Colgate, Sierra Telephone, Oakhurst, CA

Dave Duncan, Iowa Telecommunications Association, Urbandale, IA

John Granger, Mapcom, Richmond, VA

Eric Haskin, Waitsfield-Champlain Valley Telecom, Waitsfield, VT

Jere Johnson, Solarus, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Carolyn McPherson, Nortex Communications, Muenster, TX

Jeff Salters, Lexington School District One, SC

Betty Smith, Canadian Valley Telephone Company, Crowder, OK

Ben Spearman, PBT Telecom, Gilbert, SC

Rosa Tougas, Ronan Telephone Company, Ronan, MT

Lynne Webster, North Dakota Telephone Company, Devils Lake, ND

Lisa Williams, Lafourche Telephone Company, Larose, LA

Robert Wrighter, Sr, Hankcock Telephone Company, Hankcock, NY

back to top

Technology Grants
Creates selection criteria, approves brochure copy, reviews applications, and selects grant recipients.

Hank Buchanan, Chair, RTFC, Herndon, VA

Sandy Brinley, Sierra Telephone, Oakhurst, CA

Doug Dougherty, Illinois Telecom. Assoc., Springfield, IL

Paul Downs, Nexicom Telephones, Millbrook, ON

Nicole Jones , Mid-Rivers Telephone Cooperative, Circle, MT

Danny Riazzi, Riazzi, Rhyne Invest. Group, Winston-Salem, NC

Jeff Salters, Lexington School District One, SC

back to top