This year’s Iowa Communications Alliance Annual Meeting and Expo boasted record attendance and celebrated its 10th meeting of the association. The alliance was formed in 2013, as a result of the unification of two entities, the Iowa Telecommunications Association (ITA) and Rural Iowa Independent Telephone Associations (RIITA).
The Iowa Communications Alliance is the nation’s largest state-based association of community-based broadband providers. ICA members provide and enable high-quality, state-of-the-art communications services to Iowans, leading the state to be among the nation’s leaders in fiber-optic deployment.
In her opening remarks, Marcie Boerner, Webster Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association COO and outgoing ICA President, recognized the strength of the association lies among the membership and leadership within the committee work.
“I can’t say enough about the great people we have in this industry, especially those willing to take on the responsibility of leading committees. and the engagement of the committee volunteers. They are an extremely important part of the success of the ICA as they drive the content and discussion for policy, advocacy, education and events,” stated Boerner.
Never Stop Learning
The event included a panel, “Women in Telecom”, moderated by Martha Galley, Chief Customer Success Officer of Calix. Marcie Boerner sat on this panel along with other Iowa women in leadership roles, Andrea Hanson, CEO of Butler Bremer Communications, and Deb Lucht, CEO of Minburn Communications.
It is no secret that the telecommunications industry has been historically male dominated field, which is why the panel was impactful to the attendees. The women shared their experiences and insight into their challenges and successes working in the industry. The overall theme from the discussion was to, “never stop learning”.
A Chapter Closes
Boerner’s term was not only a remarkable accomplishment and milestone for herself, but also for the ICA, as she was the first female to serve as Board President in the ICA’s short history. She will remain on the ICA executive committee as Immediate Past President along with Tim Fencl (President from Danville Telecom); Jamie Daubendiek (1st Vice President from Jefferson Telecom) and Tammy Wheeler (2nd Vice President from Farmers Mutual Communications of Moulton).
During closing ceremonies incoming ICA President, Tim Fencl, presented a plaque to outgoing President, Marcie Boerner, in appreciation of her leadership this past year.
Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association provides Landline Telephone, Digital TV and Internet service to 20 rural communities on a Fiber driven network just outside the Fort Dodge, Iowa area: Pilot Mound, Boxholm, Lanyon, Paton, Churdan, Farnhamville, Gowrie, Somers, Moorland, Knierim, Barnum, Clare, Thor, Badger, Vincent, Duncombe and in the towns of Lohrville, Manson, Rockwell City and Lake City.
WCCTA is Gigabit Certified and designated a Smart Rural Community by NTCA: The Rural Broadband Association.