Kurt Atha
Paetec
Management/Support of the Iowa Communication Network contract
Kurt Atha has a broad and extensive background in the telecommunications field. Kurt is a 1985 graduate of the DMACC Telecommunications program. After training at DMACC, he worked for Nortel Networks as a switch installer and tester. In 1987 Kurt started his work at Teleconnect which grew to be one the largest long distance service providers in the nation. During his time at Teleconnect, MCI bought out the company and maintained ownership until Kurt started working for Paetec (formerly McLeod USA) in 1993 to present day. His current role is management and support of the Iowa Communication Network contract. Duties include overseeing a switch room operation and Network Control Center located at Camp Dodge in Johnston, Iowa.
Judy Pletcher
Rural Iowa Independent Telephone Association (RIITA)
Executive Secretary and Lobbyist
Judy Pletcher has been with the Rural Iowa Independent Telephone Association for the past 8 years and is currently serving as Executive Secretary and Lobbyist. Judy personally works on legislative and regulatory issues plus organizes the association's grassroots efforts. In order to facilitate these initiatives, she writes and distributes the RIITA Monitor, organizes the yearly conference and expo which includes speakers and workshops on state and national issues, schedules area meetings with companies and their legislators, facilitates tours and meetings with the Iowa Utilities Board, and assists in seminars on specific issues as needed.
Jane Galloway
Iowa Network Services (INS)
Office Manager
Jane Galloway grew up in Coon Rapids, Iowa and is a graduate from Iowa State University. Jane has worked for INS for the past 12 years, currently as the office manager. During this timeframe, Jane has served on the ITA Schools and Training Committee for 10 years and has been a part of the DMACC West Campus Telecom advisory board for several years. Jane enjoys the constant changes and improvements that telecommunication careers offer and likes being a part of an ever-growing industry that DMACC West Campus Telecom trains students to work in.
Les Stave
Iowa Network Services(INS)
Roger Kregel
Dumont Telephone Company
General Manager
Roger received a Jr. Accounting Diploma from Hawkeye Tech in Waterloo. After graduation Roger was employed at Norwest Bank in Des Moines in the Deposit Accounting Department until 1990. He started as a technician at Northeast Iowa Telephone in 1990, working in both the front office with billing and outside plant technician duties. On May 19,1997 Roger was hired as an assistant manager at Dumont. On January 1, 1998 he became General Manager of Dumont Telephone Company. The Independent Telephone industry is a very close knit group of individuals. They all share the same values and goals in providing the best possible service in our rural communities.
Bob Plate
Black Box, Inc.
Robert Plate is currently a Senior Project Manager with Norstan Communications located in Des Moines, Iowa. Robert is a graduate of the DMACC Telecommunications program, class of 1982. Robert has worked for other communication companies throughout his career including; Montezuma Mutual Telephone Company, Rockwell International in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Atlanta Georgia and as a District Manager for Iowa Telecom. Robert lives in Ankeny currently and has served on the DMACC West Campus Telecom advisory board for several years.
Andy Randol
Panora Coop. Telephone Association, Inc
General Manager
BBA degree, University of Iowa, 1988
CPA designation by the state of Iowa
Worked 7 years at Kiesling Associates with focus on audit and tax of independent telephone companies in Midwest
Has worked the past 7 years at Panora Telco in the finance/management field.
Telco involved in telephone, video, wireless, data, economic development, etc..
Jack DeAngelo
WindStream Communications
Jack started his career with GTE in 1977 as a business office representative part time, promoted to Installer-Repairman in 1977 in Toledo, IA. Became Switching technician in 1981 in Washington, IA. Promoted to Transmission Engineer in 1985 in Grinnell, IA. Promoted to Senior Engineer Special Services in 1986 in Grinnell, IA. Promoted to Operations Manager Special Services in 1989 in Grinnell, IA. Became E911 Program Manager in 1993 in Grinnell, IA. Became Local OSP/CO/Construction Service Manager in 1996 in Knoxville/Grinnell, IA. In 2002 became Business Systems Manager for Iowa Telecom. Jack has 25 years of service between GTE/Iowa Telecom. He holds a AAS in Electronic Engineering from Cleveland Institute of Technology and is currently working on a BS in Business Administration.
Deb Lucht
Minburn Telecom
Travis Riesenberg
West Corporation
Adam Crabb
Meredith Corporation
Tim Bassett
Baker Communications
Jim Van Waus
Cooperative Telephone Company