Technology Grants Committee

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

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

David Lewis, Co-Chair, TCA, Inc., Wichita KS

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

Diana Gradert, WTC Communications, Wilton, IA

Tommy Harman, PBT Telecom, Gilbert, SC

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

Thomas Squires, Manawa Telephone Company, Manawa, WI

Heather Thompson, CoBank, Greenwood Village, CO

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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.

Chris Becker, Middleburgh Telephone Company, Middleburgh, NY

Sandy Brinley, Sierra Telephone, Oakhurst, CA

Ellen Classen, Rural Telephone Finance Cooperative (RTFC), Herndon, VA

Doug Dougherty, Illinois Telecommunications Association, Springfield, IL

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

Steve Meltzer, Treasurer, John Staurulakis, Inc.

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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

Brian Brown,Blue Ash, OH

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

Roberta Westfall, Power & Tel, Nineveh, NY

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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

Jim Allison, Emmer Associates, Inc., Englewood, CO

Chris Becker, Middleburgh Telephone Company, Middleburgh, NY

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

Steve Moore, Comporium Business Solutions, Rock Hill, SC

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

Rob West, CoBank, Denver, CO

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

Chris Becker, Middleburgh Telephone Company, Middleburgh, NY

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

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

Peter Peretzman, Chair, NECA, Whippany, NJ

Chris Becker, Middleburgh Telephone Company, Middleburgh, NY

Sandy Brinley, Sierra Telephone, Oakhurst, CA

Jere Johnson, Solarus, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Colin Sandy , NECA, Washington, DC

Rosa Tougas, Ronan Telephone Company, Ronan, MT

Heather Thompson, CoBank, Greenwood Village, CO

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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.

Sue Eckles, Co-Chair, Blue Earth Valley Telephone, Blue Earth, MN

Brian Brown,Co-Chair Blue Ash, OH

Ellen Classen, Rural Telephone Finance Cooperative, Herndon, VA

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

Heather Thompson, CoBank, Denver, CO

Roberta Westfall, Power & Tel, Nineveh, NY

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

Bob Mathis, Co-Chair, University of Nebraska, Omaha, NE

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

Chris Becker, Middleburgh Telephone Company, Middleburgh, NY

Camber Boland, Rural Telephone Service Company, Lenora, KS

Brian Brown, Blue Ash, OH

Diana Coleman, Mt. Angel Telephone Company, Mt. Angel, OR

Sherry Colgate, Sierra Telephone, Oakhurst, CA

Carolyn McPherson, Nortex Communications, Muenster, TX

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

Jere Johnson, Solarus, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Betty Smith, Canadian Valley Telephone Company, Crowder, OK

Ric Telthorst, Missouri Telecommunications Industry Association, Jefferson City, MO

Rosa Tougas, Ronan Telephone Company, Ronan, MT

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

Lisa Williams, Lafourche Telephone Company, Larose, LA

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

Ellen Classen, 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

Ric Telthorst, Missouri Telecommunications Industry Association, Jefferson City, MO

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