Those with an interest in the wireless industry in rural America, gathered recently in Las Vegas as the Rural Cellular Association (RCA) held its 16th Annual Convention & Exhibition. Immediate Past President and member of the Executive Committee, Patrick Riordan of New Cell dba Cellcom (Green Bay, Wisconsin) described his year as one of “turmoil, movement, change, stability and growing strength” referring to the group’s recent hiring of a new Executive Director, Eric Peterson, and subsequent move to Washington D.C. This description can be validated by the largest attendance for the event in the history of the association and the addition of almost forty new members. Adding to his perspective of the past year, Riordan went on to say, “We have stabilized our organization. We have made it through the turmoil, movements and changes and we are better because of it.”
RCA uses the convention as an opportunity to hold its Annual Business meeting during which a new Board of Directors is elected to serve for the coming year. Incoming President Johnie Johnson, Nex-Tech Wireless LLC (Hays, Kansas) looks forward to his year with “a very solid board with many years of experience managing and competing in rural America.” His focus for the year centers around five initiatives which include: education, social networking, regulatory/congressional/lobbying, discounts/cost effectivenesss/buying consortium and profitability. “These initiatives present high hopes and successes for the 2008-2009 year,” says Johnson. “I look forward to serving the association and sharing in many more of its successes.”
With Johnson taking the helm this year and Riordan continuing to serve, other board members include Vice President Slayton Stewart (Carolina West Wireless – North Carolina) Secretary-Treasurer Ron Smith (Bluegrass Cellular, Inc. – Kentucky), Roger Bundridge (Northwest Missouri Cellular – Missouri), Bryan Corr (Corr Wireless – Alabama), Bob Dawson (SouthernLINC Wireless – Georgia), Dan Rule (Golden State Cellular – California), Craig Sheetz (Cellular One of East Texas – Texas), Thomas Walsh (Illinois Valley Cellular – Illinois) and Ron Whaley (OSG Billing Services – New Jersey).
The Rural Cellular Association is the premier association representing rural wireless telecommunications providers across the United States. RCA is dedicated to improving the life in rural America through wireless communications. More information is available at www.rca-usa.org or by calling 800.722.1872.